LGBT therapists in Casselberry, FL

My name is Melyssa Rivera-Lopez; a Forensic Licensed Clinician who graduated with high honors from Barry University. I have 20 + years of experience working in the field. Responsibilities include delivering evidence-based treatment options, assessments, diagnosis, recommendations pertaining to mental health status, and serving as an expert witness. Other functions include policy and program development, mediation, advocacy, and behavioral science research.

As a Master Level Social Worker, I have more than 24 years of experience providing therapeutic and advocacy services to adolescents and their families. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I provide services via telehealth and in outpatient, home, medical, and ALF's settings to adult and senior populations.

I’m a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience supporting adults, older children, and families navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, stress, and life transitions. I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood, so I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental environment where clients can show up authentically and feel comfortable exploring difficult emotions and experiences.

My work is centered around helping clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. I’m passionate about empowering clients to build self-confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop practical tools that support long-term growth and resilience. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or simply looking for support through a challenging season of life, therapy can provide space for healing, clarity, and meaningful change.

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Florida International University and have spent my career helping individuals and families move toward healthier, more balanced lives.

I support those navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management challenges, including panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders. I work with individuals experiencing grief and bereavement, end of life issues, infertility, chronic conditions such as diabetes, and other health-related disabilities that impact emotional well-being. My practice also supports clients living with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depressive illness), attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD), eating disorders, alcohol and substance abuse concerns, anger management and impulse control difficulties, and complex family or relationship issues.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 15 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence based therapy. As a Cuban immigrant, I understand the unique challenges faced by ethnically and racially diverse clients. I offer therapy in English and Spanish for individuals, couples, and families across Florida via telehealth, helping you navigate eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns.

“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing”. -Charles Schaefer. Play is vital for children to express themselves and learn about their surroundings and general environment. In addition to exploration, it is essential for their development. Allowing the space for them to play freely generates the possibility of understanding their world and their motivation. Instead of the traditional format of communication, we often learn more about a child's thoughts, feelings, motivations, and struggles by watching them play.

To be able to give a child power, motivation, and confidence will set the foundation for a successful life. Often times when dealing with a traumatic situation and learning to deal and cope with it effectively, allows a child (or anyone for that matter) to become the best versions of themselves and learn to move forward.

Play Therapy sessions with a Licensed clinician that cares and helps create a safe place. I guide my clients and their parents every step of the way and implement various methods to help them develop new attitudes towards all of life’s most complex matters. The works I do benefits children coming from abusive homes and dealing with some of those challenges.

If you're constantly questioning yourself after a toxic relationship, feeling stuck in anxiety, struggling to trust again, or carrying the weight of emotional abuse, you're not alone. Many of the women I work with are healing from narcissistic abuse, betrayal trauma, domestic violence, relationship wounds, depression, stress, or overwhelming self-doubt. Together, we'll help you reconnect with your voice, rebuild your confidence, establish healthy boundaries, and create a life that feels safe, fulfilling, and truly your own.