Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Fort Walton Beach, FL

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.

Hello! My name is Patti Alday. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, with years of experience helping people to navigate difficult seasons of life. I believe that healing happens when we allow others to walk alongside us in the process.

I am a kind, open-minded person who genuinely values listening and understanding others. I believe that some of the most meaningful connections begin with simply feeling heard. I have an extensive background and passion for psychology, and I am endlessly fascinated by the brain, the mind, and how deeply connected they are to our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my cats, and traveling whenever I get the opportunity. I naturally enjoy helping others navigate life’s challenges, whether that involves problem-solving, relationships, emotional struggles, or finding new perspectives during difficult times. Helping people better understand themselves and move toward healthier, more fulfilling lives is something that brings me genuine purpose.

I also hold a special passion for supporting our military, veterans, and first responders. Being married to one has given me a deeper appreciation and understanding of the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families. I believe the men and women who have served and protected our country are among our nation’s greatest assets, and I feel deeply committed to helping support their mental health, resilience, and quality of life as they continue carrying burdens many others may never fully understand.

Miranda Gurley, APRN, MSN, PMHNP, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a background in critical care nursing and advanced training in psychiatric assessment and treatment. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama, where she completed more than 600 supervised clinical hours focused on psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, and psychotherapy techniques. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women.

Originally from a small town in south Mississippi, Miranda brings a grounded and patient-centered approach to her practice. Her early nursing career was spent in intensive care units at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, and North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. There, she cared for patients with complex medical, neurological, and cardiac conditions, and supported families through both recovery and end-of-life care. This experience shaped her ability to remain calm under pressure, listen closely, and advocate for those in vulnerable situations.

Her clinical interests include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, ADHD, and supporting patients through life transitions. Miranda’s goal is to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care that helps patients achieve stability, improved functioning, and long-term mental wellness.

I work primarily with children ages 3–17, offering individual therapy while strongly encouraging family involvement to support lasting change.

I work with adults who are tired of surviving everything alone. A lot of the people I support are used to being “the strong one” — carrying anxiety, emotional overwhelm, difficult relationships, self-doubt, burnout, or years of unspoken pressure while still showing up for everyone else.

As a Black woman, I understand how life experiences, identity, culture, and the spaces we move through can shape the way we see ourselves and navigate the world. Therapy with me is not about judging or “fixing” you — it’s about creating space for you to breathe, unpack what’s been weighing on you, and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels honest, grounded, and real.

I had many years of corporate experience prior to getting my degrees in psychology. I use this expertise to help with problem solving as I did when I managed a large employee base.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Melanie D’Souza, LMHC with six years of experience helping adults work through depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction. I am also trained in EMDR, an evidenced-based approach that can help process and heal from past experiences that continue to affect the present.