Family therapy and counseling in Fort Myers, FL

I’m Diera Woodard, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’m passionate about helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, authenticity, and practical tools for real change. My mission is to create a safe, supportive space where you can heal, grow, and reconnect with your sense of purpose and peace.

Clients often describe my style as warm, honest, and empowering. I meet you where you are and walk with you as you develop the insight and tools needed to create lasting change. I believe that therapy should feel like a collaborative conversation — one that helps you understand your emotions, strengthen your coping skills, and move toward a life that feels more aligned and fulfilling.

My practice style is open minded, solution focused, and direct to the point. I love to help any individual from a humanistic point of view. I am extremely empathetic, love to be honest and being honest with my patients is key in my every day practice.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC016639) in the state of Georgia and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH22156) in the state of Florida. I've worked in a variety of settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, crisis stabilization units, community agencies and college campuses. My clients have a wide range in age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, education level, ethnicity, and cultural background. In my practice, I like to focus on life transitions, whether it's leaving a job, becoming a parent, or starting college.

Hello! I’m Carmen, I’ve been a therapist for over the past ten years. I have a masters degree in Social Work with a concentration in trauma and mental health. I also hold my license in clinical social work.

I am a dual board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 14 years of healthcare experience caring for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. I earned my BSN from Nova Southeastern University, MSN-FNP from the University of South Alabama, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Florida, and Post-Master's PMHNP certificate from Wilkes University.

My background includes intensive care, family medicine, urgent care, oncology, thoracic surgery, correctional healthcare, and outpatient psychiatry. This diverse experience allows me to understand the connection between physical and mental health while providing compassionate, evidence-based care.

I specialize in evaluating and treating anxiety, depression, panic disorder, PTSD and trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, insomnia, stress and burnout, adjustment disorders, grief, relationship concerns, self-esteem issues, women's mental health, postpartum depression and anxiety, and life transitions. I also work with individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation, caregiver stress, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

My approach is collaborative, holistic, and individualized. I combine medication management with evidence-based therapy techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and strengths-based interventions. I believe every person deserves to feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their journey.

I strive to create a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where you can openly discuss your concerns and work toward meaningful, lasting change.