Licensed to practice in Florida and accepts 21 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 5 more.

Cindy Vanegas

(she/her)

LMHC, 1 year of experience
No reviews yet
New to Grow
VirtualAvailable

About me

I take a collaborative and flexible approach to therapy, and I’ll meet you where you are each time we talk. You’re welcome to bring whatever feels most important that day, or I can help guide things if it feels hard to know where to start. My goal is for you to feel comfortable, supported, and at ease being open and honest in our conversations. I also like to use psychoeducation to help make sense of what you’re experiencing; how your thoughts, emotions, and body responses connect. When we notice patterns that may be unhelpful or not fully accurate, I’ll gently help you look at them from a different angle and practice new ways of thinking. Over time, we’ll work together to build a set of tools you can rely on outside of session, so you feel more confident handling life’s ups and downs. If I notice an opportunity to go a bit deeper into something, I may gently open that space with you to explore what else might be underneath; especially emotions that haven’t had much room yet. Healing often involves allowing ourselves to feel what we’ve had to hold in or push away, at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we’ll take our time getting to know you and what’s brought you here. This is really a space for your story, your background, what life has felt like lately, and the experiences or moments that led you to consider therapy. There’s no pressure to share everything at once; we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I’ll ask some gentle questions to help me better understand what you’ve been carrying, what’s been feeling challenging, and also what’s been helping you get through. I’m also interested in your strengths; what’s helped you cope in the past, what matters to you, and what you want more of in your life moving forward. From there, we’ll start shaping a direction together. We’ll talk about your goals for therapy and begin thinking about what support might look like in a way that actually fits you, not a one-size-fits-all approach. The focus is on building something collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in what feels meaningful and realistic for your life.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I take an eclectic approach to treatment, meaning I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches depending on your unique needs, goals, and preferences. Every client is different, and I believe therapy should reflect that. When appropriate, I may also incorporate Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a structured approach that can help reduce the emotional impact of distressing memories. If ART seems like it may be beneficial, we'll discuss it together beforehand so you feel informed, comfortable, and in control of the process. You can also expect me to gently challenge you when it feels clinically appropriate. If I notice beliefs or thought patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, self-doubt, or keeping you stuck, I'll invite you to look at them with curiosity and consider alternative perspectives. There may also be times when I'm more direct with you if I believe it will support your growth. My intention is never to judge or criticize, but to offer honest feedback with compassion, respect, and genuine care. I believe that meaningful change happens when we feel both supported and challenged, and my role is to walk alongside you as you build insight, resilience, and confidence in yourself.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I enjoy working with adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Many of the people I work with feel overwhelmed by persistent worry, self-doubt, overthinking, or emotions that seem difficult to understand or move through. Others may feel emotionally "stuck"; finding themselves replaying the same thoughts, carrying unresolved experiences, or noticing patterns that continue to affect their relationships, self-esteem, or daily life. I especially enjoy working with clients who are ready to better understand themselves and are open to exploring the "why" behind their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Whether you've experienced a significant traumatic event, are carrying the weight of chronic stress, or simply feel like you've been surviving instead of living, therapy can provide a space to slow down, process those experiences, and begin moving forward. For clients who feel emotionally "stuck" or continue to experience distress related to past events, I may also introduce Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). ART is an evidence-based approach that can help reduce the emotional intensity connected to difficult memories without requiring you to repeatedly recount every detail of the experience. If it seems like a good fit, we'll discuss it together and decide collaboratively whether it's something you'd like to incorporate into your treatment.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Grief
Self Esteem

Identifies as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are all connected. When we experience something difficult, the way we interpret it can affect how we feel and what we do next. In therapy, we'll work together to notice unhelpful thought patterns, explore whether they're accurate or balanced, and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping. As your thoughts become more balanced, your emotions and behaviors often begin to change as well.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

DBT is centered on learning emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills. It helps you develop healthier ways to manage intense emotions, navigate stressful situations without acting impulsively, and build coping strategies that support long-term well-being.

Motivational Interviewing

We'll work together to understand what is important to you, identify any mixed feelings or barriers, and strengthen your own motivation and confidence to make changes that align with your values and goals.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

You are the expert on your own life. My role is to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Through empathy, acceptance, and genuine collaboration, therapy helps you gain greater self-understanding, build confidence in your own decisions, and move toward meaningful personal growth.

Strength-Based

A strengths-based approach helps us identify the skills, qualities, experiences, and supports you already have and use them as a foundation for growth. While we'll address the challenges that brought you to therapy, we'll also recognize your successes and build on what's already helping you move forward.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.