

Lakeland residents struggling with substance use, alcohol, or behavioral addictions can access evidence-based addiction treatment through Headway's network of 3,119 licensed providers. Our therapists specialize in modalities like CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction strategies to support recovery and sobriety.
Graduate of Rollins College's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, I transitioned from a corporate sales background to embrace my passion: therapy. Drawing from diverse experiences, I specialize in assisting individuals navigate anger, depression, anxiety, trauma, and career challenges. My holistic approach is rooted in understanding, hoping to bring clarity and resolution to the issues you a hoping to resolve.
With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I've had the privilege of working across a wide range of treatment settings, including acute care, non-acute care, residential treatment, and outpatient therapy. I work with adolescents and adults and have experience providing individual and couples therapy.
My primary areas of focus include relationship counseling using the Gottman Method, chronic pain and chronic illness through Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), addiction treatment informed by the work of Dr. Carl Hart, and Borderline Personality Disorder using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
In addition to these specialty areas, I frequently help clients navigate anxiety, panic attacks, depression, life transitions, adjustment disorders, parenting challenges, workplace stress, and the everyday demands that can leave us all feeling overwhelmed!
I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with 18 years of experience in general health and 7 years of mental health. I diagnose and treat mental disorders with a sense of comfort and trust. My practice combines the best of psychiatric services with focus on the best treatment plan for your general well-being.
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.
Mental health is apart of us all! Jessica Herron is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. She started her career as a registered nurse on a progressive coronary unit at age of 21, where she learned mental health is at the core of healing. She obtained her masters degree in 2010, specializing in psychiatric care. She has worked many diverse areas: community, inpatient, crisis, dual diagnosis, detox, emergency room; from children to geriatic and dementia related behaviors. Her passion is to lesson the stigma associated with mental health across the lifespan and normalize a bad day. When she is not serving her community, she enjoys time with her husband and 2 young children; the youngest a heart transplant warrior and indulging in a decadent cupcake.
I am board certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who specializes in adolescent and young adult psychiatry. I obtained my Master of Science in Nursing degree from Nova Southeastern University with specialized training in psychiatry. For the last five year I have held various leadership positions for a local residential treatment center for teens that specializes in complex trauma treatment.
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.
Welcome! Taking the first step toward mental wellness takes courage, and I am here to support you in a safe, non-judgmental space. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I believe in a holistic, compassionate, collaborative, and patient-centered approach to care. My goal is to build trust and develop a strong therapeutic relationship with you. By considering your physical health, lifestyle, and social factors alongside your mental health, we can work together to achieve your long-term well-being. You deserve to feel empowered, understood, and supported throughout your entire journey.
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.
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.
Natalie is a compassionate ANCC Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience. She provides care to a diverse patient population in Florida, offering both virtual and in-person psychiatric services. Additionally, she extends virtual psychiatric care to patients in Colorado.
What is your approach to providing care?Her approach emphasizes individualized treatment plans and a client-centered methodology. Natalie's primary objectives are to ensure that every client feels heard, to educate clients on participating in their health journey, and to deliver professional care.
I earned an MSW from Tulane School of Social Work in 1989 and am a clinical social worker. I also practice Psychodrama and am a graduate of the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute in NY. I work primarily with musicians, actors & writers. I have a long history of working in non-profit agencies and schools, providing top notch care to disadvantaged and oppressed adolescents and families.
Generous, Dependable, Supportive, Kindhearted, Insightful, assertive, courageous, bold, compassionate
I have a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University. I’ve been at Wekiva Springs Center since 2022, and have experience with patients all over the spectrum from mood disorders, to substance abuse disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.


Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding addiction therapists in Lakeland starts with identifying the kind of support that fits your needs. Addiction care can include support for alcohol use, substance use, compulsive behaviors, cravings, relapse concerns, and changes in daily functioning. As you compare therapists, look for listed experience with addiction counseling, substance use counseling, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, or harm reduction. Some people may also work with a prescriber as part of their care team, so it can help to choose a therapist who can coordinate with other healthcare professionals when needed.
In a smaller city like Lakeland, local in-person appointment options may be more limited than in larger Florida markets. Virtual therapy can expand your search while still keeping care tied to your schedule and preferences. When comparing therapists, consider appointment availability, whether the therapist is accepting new clients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Provider bios can also help you understand a therapist’s communication style, experience with recovery support, and approach to care, including whether they use non-judgmental or harm reduction frameworks.
Therapy in Lakeland can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs, and Headway helps make that process clearer before you book. You can enter your insurance details, see estimated out-of-pocket costs, compare therapists based on insurance information available on Headway, and book directly when you’re ready. This makes it easier to find an addiction therapist who matches your needs, accepts your plan, and is accepting new clients.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms — especially from alcohol or benzodiazepines — talk to a medical provider or seek emergency care before starting outpatient therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use and is in a crisis, immediately reach out to:
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 * SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7 * Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
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