Grief counselors and therapists in Maitland, FL

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 16 years of experience in healthcare, with 13 years including mental health care. My background includes working in high-acuity settings such as ICU and trauma care, which has strengthened my ability to remain calm, attentive, and thorough in complex situations.

I'm Karina Astigarrabia Ferraz, PMHNP-BC — a Board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practicing in Florida. Before specializing in psychiatry, I spent years as a Board certified nurse in cardiac intensive care, an experience that deepened my understanding of how the mind and body are inseparable. That background shapes the way I practice: I see mental health as rooted in biology, physiology, and lived experience — not just symptoms to be managed. I believe therapy is one of the most powerful and underutilized tools in mental health care. My work centers on evidence-based approaches — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy — integrated with a positive psychiatry framework that focuses on your strengths, resilience, and capacity to heal. When medication is appropriate, I incorporate it thoughtfully as part of a broader, individualized plan. Clients often describe me as warm, unhurried, and genuinely curious about their lives. I collaborate with Brain X Dynamics as an independent clinician, sharing a commitment to whole-person, holistic care — including attention to brain metabolism and the biological foundations of emotional well-being.

I believe that effective mental health care starts with trust, respect, and open communication. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free space where you feel comfortable discussing your concerns and experiences. I work with individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, and other psychiatric conditions. Together, we'll focus on understanding your unique experiences and developing a treatment plan that aligns with your goals and values.

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.

Hello and welcome to therapy. You are one step closer on your journey to achieving your goals, passions, and intentions. You and I will develop a therapeutic relationship as you work through trauma, anxiety, depression, and other areas that you would like growth in. You will utilize the strengths that you already have, and keep expanding on those. It is my job to create a safe, open, and person-centered environment. I look forward to working with you on your healing journey! Keep going and growing.