Find a therapist in Florida — covered by insurance

Taking the step to seek support isn’t easy, and I want to honor the courage it takes to be here. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Life Coach, and retired Army veteran who believes caring for your mental health is essential to living a balanced, fulfilling life. I’m passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and reconnect with themselves. I work with teens and adults who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, or major life transitions, and I strive to meet you with respect, compassion, and understanding.

I help military members, first responders, and law enforcement professionals carry the weight of service with more strength, clarity, and support through therapy built around their world. If you’re dealing with trauma, stress, addiction, relationship strain, or the silent pressure of always having to hold it together, you don’t have to face it alone. My goal is to offer a space that feels confidential, grounded, and free of judgment—where you can talk honestly without clichés, forced vulnerability, or someone who doesn’t understand the culture you come from.

I am a CSWR with 15 years of clinical experience providing assessment and treatment to individuals, families, youth, and couples, and I have maintained a private practice since 2018.

Greetings!

I’m excited to welcome you to work with me. I’m a licensed clinical social worker with years of experience working with individuals who chose to focus on themselves in a holistic manner. I believe our minds, bodies and souls heal best when we address them jointly.

Hi, I'm Connolly D'Souza. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addictions Professional, and Certified Trauma Specialist. I support individuals navigating trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can feel safe, heard, and supported.

As a partner in your healing, I’m here to guide you through the vulnerable work of remembering, reflecting, releasing, and reclaiming. Using compassionate listening, loving honesty, and intentional processing of the challenges and changes affecting your mental health, my hope for you is to recognize that peace is possible. Central to this journey is acknowledging and understanding how your identities such as race, gender, and sexuality shape your experiences and worldview. In honoring that, creating a partnership where all parts of your identity are seen, safe, and valued is crucial to my practice. I believe it’s important to create a space grounded in grace that allows you to be kind and gentle with yourself. As we “walk” together and unpack the root causes of complex issues in your life, I will be with you as we identify new ways of being/doing, coping strategies, systems of support, and tangible self-care practices. If you’re ready to take the first step, I would be honored to walk with you on your journey of growth and healing.

***Please note: If you do not see your insurance listed on my Headway profile, please go to my website to check my other platform, as I accept many other insurances. Rootedjourneypllc.com

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.

My journey began as a deeply personal quest for healing, shaped by significant challenges such as abandonment, neglect, and trauma. Overcoming hardships like poverty, familial substance abuse, and toxic relationships led me to a lifelong struggle with anxiety and feelings of isolation. In my search for relief, I explored countless self-help resources, pursued degrees in psychology, and experimented with therapeutic techniques, yet nothing seemed to offer lasting change.

Everything shifted for me about three years ago when I experienced a transformative moment that inspired the creation of the Blue Lotus Approach. This method has not only helped me heal but has also profoundly impacted my clients, guiding them toward self-awareness and resilience.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based care, tailoring each session to clients’ unique needs and goals. Together, we work toward deep healing and transformation, fostering balance, purpose, and a more fulfilling life.