Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Winter Haven, FL covered by Aetna

I have been a social worker/therapist for 20+ years. I received my Masters degree at the University of Buffalo, in Upstate New York. I work with clients experiencing depression and anxiety. Together, we explore how thoughts influence feelings and how feelings shape behaviors. When patterns become unhelpful, they can interfere with relationships, work, and overall well-being. I help clients build insight and practical tools to create healthier, more empowering ways of responding to life's challenges.

I am a warm, energetic, and down-to-earth therapist who values creating a space where clients feel both supported and empowered. My background includes working with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges. In addition to traditional therapy, I am certified in yoga, energy work, and Florida family court mediation, allowing me to offer a more holistic perspective. I am especially passionate about helping couples restore balance and connection, as well as guiding individuals through meaningful life changes. My goal is to meet you where you are while helping you move toward where you want to be.

I specialize in mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety), and trauma-related conditions including PTSD. I am deeply committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health — and I understand firsthand how shame and silence can stand in the way of healing and daily functioning. Outside of work, I'm a parent who enjoys going to the pool and playing board games with my children, which keeps me grounded in the everyday joys that matter most.

I have 30 years of experience of helping those with those who have mental health, addictions and relationship problems. I am honored to help all who seek help with any of these issues. I help clients find solutions in a safe and non-judgmental place.

Do you understand why you feel the way you do, but the feelings won't change? Maybe you've been to therapy before, gained insight, and still find yourself stuck in the same anxiety, low moods, or painful memories — and you're starting to wonder if anything will really work.

Talking helps, but some things — especially trauma — don't fully heal through talking alone. That's why I use EMDR, a proven, structured approach that helps your brain reprocess painful experiences so they lose their grip on your daily life. Many of my clients are surprised to feel real movement on things they've carried for years.

I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist supporting adults across Florida with trauma, anxiety, and depression.

There was a time when I felt trapped by anxiety, depression, and overwhelm. I spent years feeling like I was constantly reacting to the world around me—easily overwhelmed, shutting down, and unsure how to move forward. I was living in a hypervigiliant state - always on edge, feeling unsafe in relationships and in my aloneness. This was also followed with depressive states followed by shame and guilt. Working with a Practitioner in Somatic Experiencing has transformed my emotional well being by helping my brain and body recognize safety and reducing my sensitivity to unpleasant sensations and arousal. I now feel more in control, I welcome unpleasant bodily sensations when they show up, and feel more safe in my body.

Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.

My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.

Success in therapy starts with a strong partnership. I focus on building a solid therapeutic alliance—a collaborative bond rooted in mutual agreement on your treatment goals. By working as a team, we create a clear, evidence-based roadmap for meaningful change.