Find a Therapist in North Port, FL

I offer support to help you: Calm Anxiety, Heal Trauma, Find Joy, Deepen Relationships and Discover You! You Are Amazing! I'll help you discover the satisfaction of living your unique life from your true self with the pleasurable participation of your body. I'd love to be your guide. I offer leading edge approaches to help you shift from surviving to thriving: Somatics; relational, attachment and experiential work; IFS Wise SelfParts work; visualizations; and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (similar to Somatic Experiencing) for healing trauma, including shock, developmental, complexCPTSD, attachment trauma, and panic attacks. It can be so hard to let go of old limiting beliefs, stuckness and habitual patterns that originally arose to help protect you, but which are keeping your world too small now. Change is possible! I’ll help you with powerful evidence-based modalities that are kind, practical, creative, and effective. You’ll take away more of a sense of your True Self from each session! I’m a therapist’s therapist and a professional’s professional. I have extensive experience helping my clients have better relationships with themselves and with others. You’ll be able to say, This is my life, I’m taking it seriously and enjoying it! And yes, you can learn to say out loud and mean it: I love myself!

I provide direct, compassionate therapy with a focus on trauma care. I work closely with clients to confront difficult experiences, develop practical coping strategies, and build resilience. I have a straightforward approach that helps individuals navigate the effects of trauma while fostering emotional strength, self-awareness, and a renewed sense of balance in their lives.

About Me If you’re burned out and tired of trying harder, you’re not alone. You might be juggling work, relationships, and expectations, yet still feel like you’re falling short. Many of my clients are smart, capable, and deeply caring — but under the surface, they’re overwhelmed, anxious, or constantly second-guessing themselves. I’ve been a licensed counselor for over 21 years. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 36, and I’m raising three kids with ADHD — one who has autism. I know how exhausting it is when the strategies that work for “everyone else” just don’t work for you. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and practical. After working with me, clients often say therapy finally makes sense. What I Offer Therapy with me isn’t about fixing who you are. It’s about understanding what’s going on, untangling the patterns that keep you stuck, and building tools that actually work for your life. Who I Work With You might be someone who shows up strong and steady for others, but secretly feels like you’re falling apart behind the scenes. Maybe you’re holding it together at work but struggling to function at home. Or maybe you’ve tried therapy before, only to be handed tools that didn’t fit your life or felt too surface-level. I help people who feel stretched thin, emotionally flooded, or stuck in old patterns — whether that’s perfectionism, people-pleasing, burnout, or always being “on.” Together, we’ll make space for relief, clarity, and change that lasts. How We’ll Work Together We’ll figure out what’s working, what’s not, and what you actually need. You’ll learn practical ways to calm your body when emotions get big, create structure that helps with follow-through, and set boundaries without guilt. We’ll also explore the parts of you that show up under stress — like the perfectionist, the avoider, or the critic — and learn how to respond differently so you don’t feel pulled in every direction. Everything we use is flexible, grounded, and built to fit your real life — not someone else’s idea of how you “should” be. If therapy has felt unhelpful or disconnected before, this might feel different. Schedule a free consultation — let’s see if we’re a good fit.

Many of us are not aware of how our upbringing and family dynamics are impacting our present life. We inherit more than just the physical appearance from our parents and family members. We inherit our generation's dysfunctional boundaries, poor communication skills, traumas, parenting style, and much more. We are affected not only by the way we think and respond, but by our environment and current family dynamics. Learning how to set healthy boundaries and functional communication skills can be very challenging if done without professional help. Life-stages come with its challenges but they also come with opportunity for growth. My specialty is Marriage & Family Therapy. Marriage and Family are such a strong component in our lives, that when their stability is threatened by an affair, divorce, family loss, mental illness, parenting issues, etc. we may feel lost and in despair. My goal is to help couples, families, and individuals build healthier relationships and functional lifestyles. I know how hard it can be to have hope & strength during moments of distress. Psychotherapy will provide you with a safe place free of judgment and criticism. You'll receive more than strategies and techniques suited to your specific needs. You'll also receive my unconditional positive regard, empathy, compassion, and genuine understanding of your pain.

My philosophy is that "It takes courage to be happy. . . again." So many people will stay stuck in a life situation and before long, it starts to feel "comfortable" at least to the extent that it is either too scary or too difficult to try to make those necessary changes. Often, it takes the guidance of a trusted therapist to help one discover where, how, and why a person is stuck, to point out distorted thinking, and to help map a plan for progress towards a goal. Being in the field since 1985 creates my philosophy and approach. In addition to in-office counseling, I am also available to do online video counseling to anyone throughout the state of florida. I hold a Distance Counseling Certification. Let's begin the journey, together.

Trauma may have changed you in ways others can’t see—but it doesn’t define who you are. It can leave you feeling disconnected, confused, stuck, and unsure of yourself. It can ruin relationships, families and your sense of self. I have spent over a decade specializing in trauma as well as individuals in high risk professions such as health-care workers, first responder and Veterans. I know that healing is possible. If you're searching for trauma therapy near me or a PTSD specialist with advanced training, I can help. I am a clinical consultant and trainer in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE), and I also offer EMDR to support nervous-system healing. My practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, inclusive, and trauma-informed. In therapy, we work together to understand how trauma has shaped your emotions, relationships, and nervous system. My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and compassionate. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can rebuild trust in yourself, feel grounded again, and move toward the life you want. If you are searching for a "therapist near me," you are in the right place. I am a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and authorized to practice telepsychology across PSYPACT states through an active APIT (ASPPB E.Passport). I can provide telehealth sessions to clients physically located in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Life can bring challenges, transitions, and unexpected changes that leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step. You might be navigating anxiety, stress, divorce, relationship struggles, becoming a new parent, healing from past trauma, or simply wanting to feel more balanced in your daily life. In our sessions, you’ll have a safe, supportive space to sort through what’s weighing on you, gain clarity, and develop practical tools to move forward with confidence. Together, we’ll focus on what matters most to you, and work at a pace that feels right. Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to. I strive to make the process as approachable and comfortable as possible. Whether it’s through clear communication, a welcoming environment, or meeting you where you are, my goal is to ensure therapy feels supportive and easy to navigate. My work is guided by strength-based approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems, and ecological theory. I aim to provide a supportive and comfortable space where you feel heard and understood.

I chose this work because I believe in the resilience of people—the ability to heal, adapt, and thrive even in difficult seasons. My background includes over two decades in the mental health field, supporting individuals through anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. I use a strengths-based, solution-focused approach, with mindfulness strategies, to help clients find balance and confidence. Therapy with me is not about fixing you—it’s about uncovering the strength you already have, and helping you move forward with hope. If you’re ready to take that first step, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Let’s talk about how counseling can support your growth.

Tired of figuring it all out on your own? Counseling could be an important next step in your life-a new journey into greater health and wholeness. I see my role as an expert guide to bring understanding into your emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Because life is often played out in the context of relationships, these emotions, thoughts, and behaviors not only impact your view of self, but also the world around you. When we talk about the past, it will be for the purpose of healing difficult memories or gaining a greater understanding of how your past affects your present. I have an eclectic approach to therapy drawing from over 12 years of experience working with individuals and couples. I come from a Christian perspective and am an expert at using your Christian beliefs as part of the process. Yet, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, I highly individualize my approach. Specialty areas include but are not limited to: anxietystress management, depression, griefloss, couplesfamily conflict, premarital, divorce recovery, transitions, singleness, and spiritual issues. If you are interested in growing as an individual andor becoming closer as a couple, I'd love to help. My desire is that through therapy you may not only gain greater understanding of your own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and improve your relationships; but that you also obtain greater hope, stronger faith, and develop a larger capacity for love.

I am a Licensed Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I offer a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to help you gain insight and perspective about issues that may seem stressful, overwhelming, or even hopeless. I will work collaboratively with you to help you overcome emotional and psychological issues that are causing unhappiness in your life. I work with you to tailor a treatment plan to meet your specific needs and goals. I strongly believe that working with people in an environment that is supportive of their unique needs and values will enable them to thrive and live life to their fullest potential. Change is possible.

When you realize you're struggling or you are at a difficult point in your life, the awareness can cultivate growth. Reaching out for assistance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of your strength and motivation for change. It shows your readiness to address what is needed to move through the challenge. Stress, anxiety, past traumas, life transitions, relationship or challenges, can knock anyone off balance. Through our therapy, I help each individual understand what defined their developmental process and the relationship between the psyche and how one relates to their current environment. Individuals tend to manifest patterns in current relationships depending on the experiences they had as a child with parents, siblings or guardians. Experiences will eventually build a standard in the mind. We often then carry a standard or "object" around as an adult attaching it to every relationship or event. This is a habitual pattern that forms within us and it can affect our overall health. During therapy, we will employ various techniques, used so you develop a more harmonious position in how you view yourself and others. The goal is to see people and the world around us in a neutral manner based on rational thought, instead of attaching our past to the here and now. The focus of therapy is to show how you can improve relationships and interactions with others by removing the "object" that we naturally attach to events and people. This object shapes how one acts in relationships. When this is held in a negative manner it is detrimental to self-esteem happiness and health.

I understand the weight of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. If you’re coping with the impact of trauma, addiction, or general stress, it’s time to get some relief. It’s easy to get stuck in negative patterns of thinking, feeling, or behaving. Your relationships, confidence, or self-worth may be at risk. If you want different results, you have to do something different. Talking to somebody about what’s going on might be that something. I started my practice, North Star Therapy, with the goal of improving the quality of life for those who struggle with mental health issues. Together we will navigate life’s challenges. I will use my clinical expertise to shine light on some solutions and help you accomplish your goals. Let me be your guide toward health, happiness, and healing. You can come by the office, talk over the phone, or do therapy through secure video conferencing. The office environment is dedicated to your comfort and healing. Hope to hear from you soon!