Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Melbourne, FL

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.

Welcome, and come as you are. I believe meaningful change begins with understanding yourself on a deeper level. Many of the struggles we experience in adulthood, whether in relationships, self-worth, anxiety, trauma, communication, or life satisfaction, are shaped by patterns that developed long before we were aware of them. Often these patterns started as adaptations, ways of coping or relating that once helped us navigate our family or environment and made sense at the time. My role is to help you identify those patterns, understand why they exist, and create lasting change rather than simply managing symptoms.

Struggling with insomnia, anxiety, or depression? Together, we'll build practical skills to help you sleep better, break unhelpful patterns, and move toward a life that feels more meaningful. I'm a goal-focused therapist who believes lasting change happens one step at a time. Progress isn't about perfection—it's about continuing to move forward, one step at a time.

As a therapist born and raised in Miami, Florida, within a rich Haitian American and Caribbean culture, I understand the importance of connection, community, and resilience. My heritage has shaped the way I approach healing with warmth, empathy, and deep respect for each person’s unique story. In my practice, I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. Clients often describe me as kind-hearted, understanding, and compassionate. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful change and a more fulfilling life, one step and one moment at a time.