Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Port Charlotte, FL

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to providing thoughtful, compassionate care to individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life transitions. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel truly heard and understood as we work toward meaningful, lasting change.

With extensive experience in both school systems and clinical settings, I support children, adolescents, and adults through high-stress and crisis situations. I am highly skilled in risk assessment and safety planning, helping my clients build effective, real-world coping strategies to manage their most difficult moments.

As a bilingual clinician, I am proud to provide services in both English and Spanish, helping expand access to care for diverse communities across Florida. I am especially passionate about helping my clients move through emotional challenges with clarity, resilience, and confidence.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. I specialize in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, using evidence-based approaches like motivational interviewing and individualized treatment planning. My experience includes facilitating group therapy and working with diverse adult populations in recovery. I strive to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard and empowered to make positive changes.

I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with over 22 years of experience supporting individuals and families through a wide range of mental health challenges. I take a client-centered approach that emphasizes trust, connection, and positive reinforcement. I have extensive experience addressing behavioral concerns rooted in childhood experiences and helping clients understand how early patterns continue to impact their lives today.

Mental health is apart of us all! Jessica Herron is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. She started her career as a registered nurse on a progressive coronary unit at age of 21, where she learned mental health is at the core of healing. She obtained her masters degree in 2010, specializing in psychiatric care. She has worked many diverse areas: community, inpatient, crisis, dual diagnosis, detox, emergency room; from children to geriatic and dementia related behaviors. Her passion is to lesson the stigma associated with mental health across the lifespan and normalize a bad day. When she is not serving her community, she enjoys time with her husband and 2 young children; the youngest a heart transplant warrior and indulging in a decadent cupcake.

Therapy with me is very human and genuine. I don’t just focus on what’s painful or stuck but help to highlight the ways in which my clients overcome life's punches. While I take this work seriously, I believe laughter can be healing and disarming in therapy.

I earned my Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Florida International University and have worked in a variety of settings, including the foster care system, residential treatment, and community mental health. My background includes supporting individuals navigating trauma, persistent mental health conditions, substance use, eating disorders, and major life transitions. I’ve also worked with veterans, individuals who are unhoused, and LGBTQIA2S+ clients.

In my practice, I work with clients experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I also support clients with PTSD, some OCD presentations, and concerns related to gender, sexuality, and queer identity. My work is trauma-informed, affirming, and rooted in helping clients feel both emotionally safe and genuinely understood.

Welcome! Taking the first step toward mental wellness takes courage, and I am here to support you in a safe, non-judgmental space. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I believe in a holistic, compassionate, collaborative, and patient-centered approach to care. My goal is to build trust and develop a strong therapeutic relationship with you. By considering your physical health, lifestyle, and social factors alongside your mental health, we can work together to achieve your long-term well-being. You deserve to feel empowered, understood, and supported throughout your entire journey.

I’m Diera Woodard, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’m passionate about helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, authenticity, and practical tools for real change. My mission is to create a safe, supportive space where you can heal, grow, and reconnect with your sense of purpose and peace.

Clients often describe my style as warm, honest, and empowering. I meet you where you are and walk with you as you develop the insight and tools needed to create lasting change. I believe that therapy should feel like a collaborative conversation — one that helps you understand your emotions, strengthen your coping skills, and move toward a life that feels more aligned and fulfilling.

I am a kind, open-minded person who genuinely values listening and understanding others. I believe that some of the most meaningful connections begin with simply feeling heard. I have an extensive background and passion for psychology, and I am endlessly fascinated by the brain, the mind, and how deeply connected they are to our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my cats, and traveling whenever I get the opportunity. I naturally enjoy helping others navigate life’s challenges, whether that involves problem-solving, relationships, emotional struggles, or finding new perspectives during difficult times. Helping people better understand themselves and move toward healthier, more fulfilling lives is something that brings me genuine purpose.

I also hold a special passion for supporting our military, veterans, and first responders. Being married to one has given me a deeper appreciation and understanding of the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families. I believe the men and women who have served and protected our country are among our nation’s greatest assets, and I feel deeply committed to helping support their mental health, resilience, and quality of life as they continue carrying burdens many others may never fully understand.

I earned an MSW from Tulane School of Social Work in 1989 and am a clinical social worker. I also practice Psychodrama and am a graduate of the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute in NY. I work primarily with musicians, actors & writers. I have a long history of working in non-profit agencies and schools, providing top notch care to disadvantaged and oppressed adolescents and families.

Generous, Dependable, Supportive, Kindhearted, Insightful, assertive, courageous, bold, compassionate

I have a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University. I’ve been at Wekiva Springs Center since 2022, and have experience with patients all over the spectrum from mood disorders, to substance abuse disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.

Thank you for reaching out to me today! I am here to listen and to help. I am licensed to practice professional counseling in Florida and Missouri with a specialty in addictions and co-occurring disorders. I have been assisting clients since 2011, but in recent years my primary focus is with adults ages 18 and older.