

Finding an affirming therapist in Fort Myers doesn't have to be complicated. Headway's network of 2,510 empowering providers delivers culturally competent care for LGBTQIA+ mental health needs. Sessions are available as soon as tomorrow, with many providers offering free initial consultations and coverage through major insurance plans.
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.
With nearly two decades of experience, I have dedicated my career to helping individuals navigate the challenges of mental health, substance use, trauma, and life transitions. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addiction Professional, and Ph.D.-level clinician, I bring both clinical expertise and genuine compassion to every session.
I believe people are more than their diagnosis, addiction, or current struggle. My goal is to create a space where you feel respected, understood, and supported as we work together toward meaningful change and lasting recovery.
I am a family and marriage counselor currently licensed in Texas. I have over 40 years of experience working as a psychotherapists and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, sexual issues, substance abuse issues and general life conflicts. I also helped many people who have experienced combinations of areas of concerns and who faced existential conflicts within their lives.
I work with individuals who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, anxiety, and self-doubt. On the outside, you may appear put together, but internally feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure of yourself. Often, these patterns are connected to earlier experiences that have shaped how you see yourself and relate to others.
I believe meaningful change begins with feeling truly seen and understood. My goal is to create a supportive space where you can pause, reflect, and explore what’s happening in your life without judgment.
My background includes mental health counseling and community-based work, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional overwhelm. I work with clients from diverse backgrounds and recognize how personal experiences shape the way we think, feel, and relate to others.
I’m especially passionate about helping you understand the patterns and beliefs that influence your life. Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you,it’s about gaining clarity, building insight, and developing tools to help you feel more confident, balanced, and grounded.
Hi, I’m Michael, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 27 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate both difficult and meaningful life transitions.
Whether you’re struggling with stress, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, anxiety, or feeling stuck, I offer a compassionate, direct, practical, and occasionally humorous approach to therapy. My work is grounded in Systems Theory, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Cognitive-Behavioral strategies, helping clients better understand themselves, their relationships, and the patterns that shape their lives.
I have extensive experience working with military families, first responders, and individuals facing crisis situations. My goal is to help you develop greater emotional resilience, stronger relationships, and practical tools that continue serving you long after therapy ends.
I strive to create a judgment-free environment where honest conversations can lead to meaningful change. I offer evening and weekend appointments and can occasionally accommodate other scheduling needs. As a single father, I raised three children over a 15-year period, an experience that deeply informs my understanding of life’s challenges and responsibilities. My Australian Shepherd service dog may occasionally be present during sessions unless you prefer otherwise.
I'm Karina Astigarrabia Ferraz, PMHNP-BC — a Board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practicing in Florida. Before specializing in psychiatry, I spent years as a Board certified nurse in cardiac intensive care, an experience that deepened my understanding of how the mind and body are inseparable. That background shapes the way I practice: I see mental health as rooted in biology, physiology, and lived experience — not just symptoms to be managed. I believe therapy is one of the most powerful and underutilized tools in mental health care. My work centers on evidence-based approaches — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy — integrated with a positive psychiatry framework that focuses on your strengths, resilience, and capacity to heal. When medication is appropriate, I incorporate it thoughtfully as part of a broader, individualized plan. Clients often describe me as warm, unhurried, and genuinely curious about their lives. I collaborate with Brain X Dynamics as an independent clinician, sharing a commitment to whole-person, holistic care — including attention to brain metabolism and the biological foundations of emotional well-being.
I am aware that committing to therapy can seem frightening and intensely overwhelming, and frequently, the absolute hardest phase is making the choice to begin. Despite that, you are here today, effectively launching your vital journey to heal and revitalize. I sincerely welcome the chance to interact with you and explore exactly how I can help you. My clinical method is deeply warm, compassionate, and interactive.


Headway makes it easier to connect with affirming therapists who understand your identity — from finding the right therapist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding an LGBTQIA+-affirming therapist in Fort Myers starts with identifying what kind of support matters most to you. For some, sexual orientation or gender identity is the central focus of therapy — navigating coming out, relationship dynamics, or the effects of discrimination. For others, it may not be the primary reason for seeking care, but seeing a provider who understands LGBTQIA+ experiences can make it easier to be open about everything else. Either way, look for a licensed provider (such as an LMHC, LCSW, psychologist, or psychiatrist) who has specific experience with LGBTQIA+ clients and has identified themselves as affirming.
Fort Myers and the broader Southwest Florida area have a mix of in-person and virtual providers available. If you prefer in-person sessions, consider proximity to your home or workplace in areas like downtown Fort Myers, Cape Coral, or Bonita Springs. Virtual sessions can expand your options significantly, connecting you with affirming providers licensed in Florida who may not be based locally. Reading a provider's bio — including their approach, background, and areas of focus — can help you decide if they're a good match before booking.
Therapy in Fort Myers can be expensive without insurance, but affordable options exist when you use in-network coverage. Many insurance plans include mental health care benefits that apply to LGBTQIA+-affirming therapy. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs upfront, and many patients pay as low as $0 per visit. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, making it easier to find a provider who is both affirming and covered by your plan.
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