Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Lehigh Acres, FL

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care across the lifespan—including children, teens, and their families. With over 16 years of nursing experience spanning home health, care management, hospice, and palliative care, I bring a holistic perspective that honors the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. I know reaching out for help on behalf of your child can feel like a big step, and my goal is to make it easier.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and the founder of InnerGrowth Psychiatry and Wellness, where I provide compassionate, evidence-based care through both medication management and psychotherapy. My approach is rooted in the belief that healing is deeply personal, and each individual deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment.

I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, stress, and life transitions. I also support individuals navigating relationship challenges, social anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. My style is collaborative and patient-centered, I don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, I work closely with you to understand your unique experiences, goals, and values, and we build a treatment plan together that feels right for you.

Clients often describe me as warm, attentive, and easy to talk to. I create a safe and supportive space where you can be open and honest, whether you’re seeking clarity, emotional healing, or personal growth. I integrate therapeutic techniques with thoughtful medication management when appropriate, ensuring that care is both holistic and effective.

My strength lies in my ability to balance clinical expertise with genuine human connection. I am deeply committed to helping you gain insight, develop coping strategies, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Taking the first step toward mental wellness can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to support you every step of the way.

If you're struggling with addiction, carrying the weight of complex trauma, or trying to cope while managing a chronic health condition, I want you to know there's a way forward — and you don't have to walk it alone. I'm a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) with over 16 years of experience across private practice, residential substance abuse treatment, medical social work, and the non-profit world. I've sat with people in their hardest, most overwhelming moments, and I bring that same steady, non-judgmental presence to every session.

Much of my work centers on substance use and recovery, complex trauma, and the emotional toll of chronic medical conditions. Whether you're in the thick of a crisis or finally ready to address something you've carried for years, I'll meet you exactly where you are — with compassion, real tools, and zero judgment.

Welcome. Seeking support can feel difficult, especially when you're managing overwhelming emotions, relationship stress, painful experiences, or simply feeling disconnected from the life you want to live. I work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief and loss, bipolar disorder, PTSD, women's issues, and challenges related to self-esteem, life transitions, and relationships. I understand that healing looks different for everyone, and I believe therapy should provide a space where you feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood. Whether you're struggling with day-to-day stress, navigating the impact of past experiences, or trying to make sense of difficult emotions, my goal is to help you gain insight, strengthen coping skills, and build a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling. Together, we can create meaningful change while honoring your unique experiences, strengths, and goals.

Patient-focused and compassionate Psychiatric APRN specialized in the care of individuals living with Serious Mental Illnesses (i.e., Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, MDD, GAD, ADHD). I understand the challenges of navigating periods of depression, PTSD, mania, and the uncertainty that can come in between. My mission is to provide supportive, evidence-based care that helps you establish stability, regain balance, and enhance your quality of life.

I take a whole-person approach, offering:

• Thoughtful medication management tailored to your unique needs.
• Therapy options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT).
• Education and guidance to help you recognize early warning signs of mood changes.
• Support for families and loved ones who play an important role in recovery.

My goal is not only to reduce symptoms but also to help you live with greater confidence, stability, and well-being.

Claudine Bernier, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Hi! My name is Kayla. I have been a nurse for 20 years and have been a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the past 3 years. I am a mom, spouse, divorcee, cancer survivor, and I love animals. I am here to listen and to meet you where you are. Your mental health impacts every aspect of your life, health, and relationships. I am trained to treat complex and the most common mental health conditions with an individualized treatment plan. My primary population is adults, including geriatrics. As an experienced partner in your mental health journey, finding the right treatment plan for you is my goal.

Drawing from twenty years of experience in education and principal of therapeutic schools, I have developed the art of conflict resolution with reticent learners, with parents, with couples and individuals. I have the skillset to support people and transform their perceptions of self to cope with communication issues, anger, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and trauma. My empathetic approach offers people to find positive and creative techniques. I am highly gifted in working to establish and enhance relationships between parent and child/husband and wife using conflict resolution to create opportunities. As a clinician of almost ten years, I interact exceedingly well with individuals and couples to support positive communication and achieve personal growth whether it be in a marriage, parenting/school skills, or within oneself. My understanding, compassion, and acceptance of people when they enter therapy create a safe and trusting environment to unpack problems and develop strategies that enhance well-being, stability, and alternative perspectives on how to address struggles/conflicts.

I am the wife of a veteran, and mother of three. I have been working with children, families and couples for over 20 years. I believe in empowering others and helping them find their own peace. I will work with you, meeting you where you are at, allowing you to work at your own pace. I have always had a calling to help and to heal using humor with a shared understanding of this thing, we call life, and the trials that come with it. I'm here to assist clients to understand that there is another side; and on that side there is hope. I graduated from USC, have been trained in several ways to do heal emotional wounds. Together we can work on anything from simple life issues, ADHD, all things to include extreme trauma(s) such as such as domestic violence. Behavioral issues between parent and child are also a specialty. One of the biggest rewards is watching clients achieve the goals that they set for themselves, and finally realizing that they were able to do what they never thought was possible.

I have been an LCSW for over 15 years, and anxiety is where I do my deepest work..the racing thoughts, the physical tension, the constant "what if" that won't quiet down. I also work with clients navigating depression, major life changes, grief and divorce. But if anxiety is running the show in your life, that is exactly where I want to start.

I know what it feels like to self-doubt, not trust yourself, or be riddled with anxiety. I can help you get out of that analysis paralysis or constant reach for external validation to feel okay. When anxiety or self-doubt creep in, I teach you to meet them with curiosity and compassion. You will learn that your emotions are messengers that guide you back to your needs and your inner wisdom. I have worked with women and couples in private practice settings who struggle with relationship issues, emotional dysregulation, and communication. I work with women who struggle with high reactivity to learn how to work with their emotional guidance system and develop more internal resilience, control over their mind, and peace.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a master’s-level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) practicing in Florida. My experience working in residential treatment settings for mental health and substance use has shaped my commitment to compassionate, client-centered care. Through years of clinical practice, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of how thoughts, emotions, and life experiences impact daily functioning and overall well-being.

I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood. Like many people, I have faced personal challenges that have deepened my understanding of mental health and strengthened my empathy for those I work with. I earned my master’s degree in social work from the University of Maine and have worked in home-based family programs, residential treatment settings, and a methadone clinic providing medication-assisted treatment. Throughout my career, I’ve supported adults with dual diagnoses, trauma, mood disorders, serious mental illness, and substance use concerns, as well as older adults navigating life transitions.