

Mental health support is available now in Lithia and surrounding areas including Valrico, Brandon, and Plant City. Connect with 9,024 warm, affirming providers through Headway for flexible in-person or virtual sessions with many insurance plans accepted.
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:
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
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.
Hello, my name is Courtney, and I believe the power of connection can have a profound impact on a person's mental health. I love helping people and watching people grow. I enjoy learning about others so I can help them see their potential and learn from the challenges they have faced in their lives.
Hello, I’m Abby Pease, LCSW, QS! As a therapist, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where clients feel truly seen and supported. I bring warmth, energy, and a touch of humor into my work, helping clients navigate challenges while also reminding them that healing doesn’t always have to be heavy. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion and clarity as you move toward growth and resilience.
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.
I am a laid back, caring professional.Lets discuss your feelings and concerns and together make a plan to solve your issues. Learn strategies to deal with stress, anxiety and depression. Improve communication with friends and family. Cognitive behavioral and solution focused. Over 30 years in private practice.
I have over two decades of Social Work experience. I have worked in high school settings for over 20 years with a variety of students to include: LGBTQ+, anxiety, depression, PTSD/trauma, ADHD, and teen parenting. Prior to working in the school setting, I worked with homeless families as well as domestic violence victims.
I approach my work with warmth, energy, and an open mind, creating a therapeutic space where clients can feel safe, supported, and understood. With over 15 years of nursing experience, I combine clinical expertise with genuine compassion to guide individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. My mission is to foster trust, collaboration, and meaningful progress for every client who walks through my door.
Athlete mental health means supporting the whole person, not just the competitor. My experience as a licensed clinical social worker and former professional athlete led me to founded Inspire U to support the person behind the performance. As the first social worker hired full-time by an NFL club to support former players through transition, I have built a unique career helping athletes, professionals, and high-performing individuals navigate the mental and emotional demands of stress, success, identity, and life transitions.
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.
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 am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Over the past 10 years I have worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor, Group Facilitator, Counseling families, Individuals, The Sheltered Homeless population, First Responders, and the geriatric population. I have also worked with children who are in the foster care system. I have experience in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma/PTSD, Behavior issues, and other areas as well.
My areas of expertise are family, social and interpersonal conflict, parenting, depression, anxiety, sexual identity concerns, academic challenges, anger issues, low self-confidence, esteem and past traumatic experiences. Other areas of expertise include intimate partner violence, LGBTQ, women's issues, grief, romantic relationship issues and stress.
I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Healthw Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate, evidence-based care for adolescents and adults. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, with a focus on personalized medication management and overall emotional wellness. Same-week appointments available. Medication management and fast access to care.
Deciding to look for a therapist let alone beginning therapy can be a daunting task for many. We’re told that our mental health isn’t a priority, that we shouldn’t be weak and that we should ‘stop being sad’ or ‘get over it’ with such great advice from family and friends alike no wonder our issues and stresses seem to only get worse. More often than not we seek therapy because the people in our lives refuse to go to therapy.











Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right therapist in Lithia starts with getting clear on the type of support you need. Whether you're looking for help with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, family stress, or something else, a licensed provider with experience in that area can make a meaningful difference. Therapists in the Lithia area hold a range of credentials — including LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, and psychologist — and many offer both in-person sessions in nearby Brandon or Valrico and virtual appointments from anywhere in Florida.
Once you know what you're looking for, practical details matter just as much. Consider whether you prefer meeting in person or virtually, what days and times work for your schedule, and whether a provider's approach feels like the right fit. Reading a provider's bio before booking can help you understand their style and specialties so you feel more confident from the start.
Therapy in the greater Tampa Bay area can be expensive without insurance, but affordable options are available when you use in-network coverage. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs before you book, and many patients pay as low as $0 per visit. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, making it easier to find a therapist in Lithia who fits both your clinical needs and your budget.
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