Grief counselors and therapists in Fort Myers, FL

Hello, my name is Arlene and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) I have been working in the mental health profession for 33 years. I have experience working in various areas of counseling settings and have provided counseling for diverse populations that include different ages, genders, and diverse racial, cultural, and LGBTQ backgrounds. Through the years I have obtained knowledge with concerns including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, family/parenting difficulties as well as childhood, adolescent, and young adult adjustments. In recent years I have been trained to work with individuals who have experienced traumatic events.

Great to meet you. I’m a licensed therapist in Jacksonville with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from JU. I help teens and adults reduce anxiety, manage depression, and improve relationships using evidence‐based, practical tools.

I am a psychiatric provider who specializes in working with adults experiencing anxiety and depression, and I’m passionate about creating a space where you feel genuinely seen and heard. My clinical background includes formal training in evidence-based treatments for mood and anxiety disorders, and I have experience supporting clients from diverse cultural and personal backgrounds. I strive to bring both professional expertise and a warm, grounded presence to every session so that you feel comfortable sharing what’s really going on in your life.

I got my start working in a residential setting, supporting people through serious mental health challenges, trauma, and addiction. That experience shaped how I see therapy, it’s not just clinical, it’s about feeling understood and not alone in what you’re going through. I now work with people dealing with things like trauma, emotional ups and downs, and substance use, and I’m trained in EMDR. While I have experience with more intense situations, I also work with people who feel stuck, reactive, or disconnected and want to understand why.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 16 years of experience in healthcare, with 13 years including mental health care. My background includes working in high-acuity settings such as ICU and trauma care, which has strengthened my ability to remain calm, attentive, and thorough in complex situations.

You don't have to have everything figured out to be here.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, and I’ve been helping people work through meaningful change since 2011.

I support clients navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and addiction, with a focus on building resilience and a stronger sense of self. I especially enjoy working with LGBTQ+ individuals, those navigating recovery and the HIV/AIDS community. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University and my Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University.