Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Gainesville, FL

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor with over 20 years of experience supporting adults through life’s most challenging seasons. My background includes extensive work in behavioral health and addiction treatment, with a focus on helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, stress, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. I believe therapy should feel supportive, practical, and judgment-free. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck, exhausted, anxious, discouraged, or unsure of how to move forward. My goal is to help you better understand what you are experiencing, identify patterns that may be holding you back, and build healthier tools to manage life with more confidence and stability.

I strive to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported as we work together toward meaningful change.

Welcome to an opportunity to create the life you envision. For over 20 years, I have had the honor of assisting in providing tools for strengthening self esteem and creating strategies to cope with life transitions, self esteem, work and life balance, stress, increasing communication in your key relationships . We partner in a results oriented ,relaxed and warm environment Clients comment on how effectively this approach works and how quickly they find solutions. Empathy and Solutions are the Key!

Short term results in a compassionate setting: STOP THE EMOTIONAL HANGOVER! Start Living fully! Women's life transition support, Codependency and Self Esteem Improvement, Life coaching, Stress reduction techniques for your tool box and solutions for a grateful life!

In a positive, empowering setting, change occurs. Client testimonials: "I like your proactivity, providing ideas and resources, "I've had therapists but none that have given me the tools you have" "I wish I'd come sooner. In a few sessions, I have direction. Thank you for partnering with me. I invite you to contact me for moving your life forward.

I want you to know that my role is to support you with compassion, respect, and evidence‐based care. I take the time to listen closely so I can understand what you’re experiencing and what matters most to you. My approach is collaborative—I believe treatment works best when we make decisions together. I’m here to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can speak openly and feel heard. My goal is to help you move toward stability, confidence, and a better quality of life.

I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with over 22 years of experience supporting individuals and families through a wide range of mental health challenges. I take a client-centered approach that emphasizes trust, connection, and positive reinforcement. I have extensive experience addressing behavioral concerns rooted in childhood experiences and helping clients understand how early patterns continue to impact their lives today.

Beatrice Fernandez, LMHC, MCAP, QS is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Master's Level Certified Addiction Professional, and Qualified Supervisor with over 10 years of experience providing mental health and substance use treatment services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, relationship concerns, trauma, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Beatrice utilizes evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Trauma-Informed Care to help clients develop effective coping skills, improve emotional well-being, and navigate life's challenges with confidence. Her therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and client-centered, creating a supportive environment where individuals and families can heal, grow, and achieve meaningful change.

Her clinical experience spans community mental health, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, telehealth, and correctional behavioral health settings, serving diverse populations across the lifespan. Beatrice is passionate about helping clients build resilience, strengthen relationships, and reach their personal goals while fostering lasting emotional wellness.

Therapy with me is very human and genuine. I don’t just focus on what’s painful or stuck but help to highlight the ways in which my clients overcome life's punches. While I take this work seriously, I believe laughter can be healing and disarming in therapy.

I earned my Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Florida International University and have worked in a variety of settings, including the foster care system, residential treatment, and community mental health. My background includes supporting individuals navigating trauma, persistent mental health conditions, substance use, eating disorders, and major life transitions. I’ve also worked with veterans, individuals who are unhoused, and LGBTQIA2S+ clients.

In my practice, I work with clients experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I also support clients with PTSD, some OCD presentations, and concerns related to gender, sexuality, and queer identity. My work is trauma-informed, affirming, and rooted in helping clients feel both emotionally safe and genuinely understood.

My focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. We achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan. I want to walk alongside you and help to empower you. Together, we find hope.

I am dedicated to the mental health field and have been both a therapist and a clinical supervisor. My areas of knowledge include trauma, depression, grief, anxiety, adjustment disorder, substance abuse, ADHD, self-esteem issues, and life transition difficulties. I work with individuals, adolescents, couples, and families.

I am a CSWR with 15 years of clinical experience providing assessment and treatment to individuals, families, youth, and couples, and I have maintained a private practice since 2018.

Life can often feel like a series of overwhelming transitions, leaving you feeling disconnected or unsure of your next step. I provide a dedicated space for adults (22+) to slow down, reflect, and move forward with renewed clarity.

Whether you are navigating the complexities of trauma, managing a mood disorder, or facing significant life changes, my goal is to help you transform "feeling stuck" into a journey of intentional growth.

How We Will Work Together

My approach is relational, honest, and depth-oriented. Rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms, we will explore the unspoken beliefs and past experiences that quietly shape your daily life. By learning to listen to what your emotions are communicating, you can begin to respond to life’s challenges in ways that promote genuine healing and authentic connection.

Specialized Support for Couples

In addition to individual therapy, I specialize in marriage and pre-marital counseling. I help couples at all stages build resilient foundations, repair emotional disconnections, and foster a deeper sense of intimacy and mutual understanding.

**Please note: While I accept insurance for individual therapy, all couples counseling is private-pay only. Insurance does not cover relationship-focused therapy.

Your Journey Starts Here

You deserve a space where you are fully seen, heard, and empowered. No matter where you are in your journey, I am here to support you in creating meaningful, lasting change.