Book a therapist or psychiatrist in New Port Richey, FL covered by Aetna

Explore the difference of in-person therapy in an uplifted, spa-like environment in St. Pete & Hyde Park.

Originally from New York, I hold a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a BA in Neuroscience. I worked at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for thirteen years alongside world-class health and wellness experts, which brings depth to my work as a psychotherapist. I studied Buddhism and have practiced yoga and meditation for over 20 years. Clients describe me calm, warm and resourceful. Client testimonials can be found on my website.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, and I strive to create a space where clients can openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences at their own pace.

I understand that reaching out for help can feel vulnerable, and I value the trust my clients place in me. I work to meet each person where they are while helping them build insight, coping skills, resilience, and confidence. I believe in balancing empathy and validation with practical tools and strategies that support meaningful and lasting change.

Clients often describe me as compassionate, approachable, calming, and easy to talk to. I utilize evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, while tailoring treatment to each client’s individual needs and goals.

Nicole's ideal clients are looking for a hands on therapist and practical tools for success. She is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Qualified Clinical Supervisor in Florida, and is a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCTP). Her experience in community mental health and in schools has provided her opportunity to treat individuals and families with ages ranging from toddlers to great grandparents. She has supported clients with needs related to trauma, development, adjustment, life-cycle, anxiety, and depression.Engaging clients where they are is central to their meaningful growth in therapy; Nicole believes the best way to accomplish this begins with active listening. She loves to celebrate successes, asks lots of questions; and works with her clients to adjust goals as needed. Nicole applies clinically proven practices , individualized to her client's needs, goals, and strengths .Nicole loves working with individuals across the many stages of personal and career development. Life is dynamic and this often brings challenges that may be hard to navigate; Nicole's pragmatic, solution oriented style supports her client's growth and goal achievement.

I have worked with clients from ages 3 through 80 and with individuals, couples, and families. With that breadth of experience, very little shocks or surprises me, and I am able to develop an individualized approach for each client, combining therapy modalities that play to my strengths as a counselor and that are helpful for the people I’m working with.

Three principles shape all the counseling I do:

• Counseling should be efficient. Counseling has significant costs in time and money. I think the benefits far outweigh the costs but when I can give you the benefits while helping you save on the costs I will do that. So I choose approaches to counseling (like EMDR and EFT) that generally work more quickly. That being said, I don’t want to you to feel better for three to six months and then need counseling again because we only worked on symptom relief and didn’t bring healing to the underlying causes. That doesn’t seem very efficient to me. So my goal is to provide as long-lasting and complete help as possible in as little time as possible.
• The client is always in charge. People are complex and come with years of history that I can never know all of. I know a lot of things but you will always be the one who decides what you want to get out of counseling, how we work towards that goal, whether or not what we’re doing seems to be working, and when we’re done.
• Change and health happen through relationships. The work we do in counseling will touch on how your relationships impact your health. No matter what you come in for, there are always relational implications of change and relational factors that contribute to whatever it is that you came to counseling to change. Change can only happen in counseling because of our relationship. It’s my responsibility to make our relationship a place where you feel heard and accepted.

Many of my clients look like they have it together—but inside, they feel stuck, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed in their relationships. I help adults untangle painful patterns rooted in emotional neglect, people-pleasing, or past relationships that felt confusing or unsafe. Together, we’ll slow down, go deep, and help you get to the root of the issue.

I am an honest and compassionate therapist with a direct approach to therapy. I believe therapy works best when communication is open, clear, and collaborative. I encourage curiosity, openness, and personal growth, and I aim to empower clients to take an active role in their healing and decision-making process.

CJ deeply believes that a person’s past does not define their future. With a potent blend of empathy and expertise, she is passionate about helping individuals uncover their innate resilience and capacity for healing. Her approach is rooted in the belief that even the most painful histories can be transformed into sources of strength.

Having grown up in foster care, CJ brings a lived understanding of adversity—not as her reason for becoming a therapist, but as a quiet source of strength that has shaped her superpower: the ability to sit with any form of trauma without judgment or shock. Her presence is steady, compassionate, and unshakable—able to hold space for stories that are often too heavy for others to carry.

Specializing in trauma-informed and somatic therapies, CJ supports individuals, couples, and families through experiences of PTSD, anxiety, and complex trauma. Her mission is to guide clients toward a life marked by grace, growth, and resilience.

My core belief is simple: I believe in you and your ability to become the healthiest, most fulfilled version of yourself. Life often makes it hard to see that potential, let alone know how to get there. My role is to be your guide and ally on that journey.

My path to becoming a clinician has been intentional. Beyond my master's degree in counseling and advanced post-master's training, my work in non-profit and community mental health has given me a breadth of experience with people from all walks of life. This doesn't mean "I've seen it all," but it does mean that I'm prepared to meet you where you are, without judgment. No matter what you're going through, if you are ready to take a step, so am I.

Look, nothing gets better if we don't find a way to face it safely. That's why therapy takes courage. It took courage just to get this far, and you already deserve credit for that. When you're ready for that first, brave step of reaching out, I'll be here, ready to loan you some of my hope until you can hold it for yourself.

Hi, I’m Meredith Knitch, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who’s passionate about helping people feel better and live more balanced, fulfilling lives. I specialize in supporting adults working through anxiety, addiction, trauma, and life transitions. My approach is warm, honest, and down-to-earth. We’ll work together at your pace to build tools that really work for you. I believe in creating a safe, judgment-free space where healing and growth can truly happen.