LMHC, 6 years of experience
Hi, I’m Marykate and I'm glad to welcome you to therapy, where we can explore, understand, grow, and heal together. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida. My approach as a therapist is to understand the challenges and experiences that each individual brings to therapy. My priority is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can freely explore your thoughts and emotions.
During our initial session, the focus will be on understanding you as an individual and the reasons behind your decision to seek therapy. Together, we'll explore your objectives and establish clear goals.
Pattern recognition is a key skill that aids in uncovering the underlying factors driving your experiences. My approach prioritizes compassion and empathy, creating a secure environment where you feel heard and supported. Moreover, as a therapist, I find that asking thought-provoking questions is effective in helping you gain new perspectives and move forward in your therapeutic journey.
I have extensive experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds and addressing a wide range of challenges. Over the past 6 years, I've dedicated myself to assisting individuals struggling with addiction. While many of the clients I've worked with initially seek treatment for addiction, I've found that nearly all benefit from addressing additional mental health issues to achieve healing and progress in life. I have helped clients navigate through various challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss, anger management, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, life transitions, self-esteem issues, and relationship or family conflicts. My approach is tailored to meet each individual's unique needs, ensuring a supportive and effective therapeutic journey.
I've been using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) since I started as a therapist, and find it to be very effective for my clients dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, and managing anger. During sessions, we dig into how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. I help clients spot those negative thought loops that cause them distress in daily life. Together, we challenge these patterns and reframe them into more positive and realistic thoughts. When using CBT with clients, I will often give tasks to do between sessions to practice what we've talked about. I also integrate CBT with other therapeutic modalities I practice, including mindfulness-based techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and grief and trauma-focused therapies to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
I am a firm believer that there is not a "one size fits all" when it comes to therapy. Each person I've worked with has their own unique story, their own struggles and has different goals. I lean towards eclectic therapy because it is an approach that draws from various therapeutic techniques and theories. My goal is to create a flexible and personalized treatment plan for each client. I have worked in the substance use field for many years and while my clients have come in to deal with their addiction(s), each of them had other issues they needed to address in order to heal and lead a more productive life free from addiction. Whether it's dealing with underlying issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma, or navigating family conflicts and major life changes, each client's journey requires a plan that is tailored to their needs in order to heal.
In moments of distress, our strengths can often be overshadowed.Strength-Based Therapy (SBT) emphasizes identifying and utilizing clients' strengths, resources, and capacities to promote positive change and achieve their therapeutic goals. I frequently integrate SBT with other therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Narrative Therapy. This allows me to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the unique needs of each client. From my experience, SBT not only empowers clients but also enhances their confidence and contributes significantly to their personal growth.
For some clients, looking back into their past can shed light on how their experiences influence their present behaviors, emotions, and relationships. Psychodynamic Therapy involves delving into unconscious thoughts, feelings, and conflicts that may be at the root of clients' current challenges. In my practice, I use Psychodynamic Therapy to help clients uncover these deeper motivations and behavioral patterns. By offering interpretations and insights, I aim to help clients develop a deeper understanding and awareness of these unconscious dynamics. Once these patterns are identified and understood, we can work together to challenge and modify them, promoting personal growth and healing. Over the years, I've seen how this approach can empower clients to break free from longstanding patterns and gain a deeper understanding of themselves
3 ratings with written reviews
July 29, 2025
I've been seeing MaryKate for over a year now, and I can truly say that working with her has helped me navigate some of the most difficult periods of my life. From the beginning, she created a safe, non-judgmental space where I felt heard, supported, and respected. She not only listens deeply but also offers tools and perspectives that have helped me understand myself better and develop healthier ways of coping.
July 16, 2025
10/10 recommend Marykate! She makes me feel very comfortable and she is very easy to talk to. I can tell she truly cares and has helped me through a lot and has made a positive impact on my overall wellbeing. Whether I tell her something exciting that’s happened or something I’m really struggling with, she is always there to listen and does so with empathy, I never feel judged, always feel understood by her and I am so thankful for her!
April 30, 2025
I’m very much looking forward to working with Marykate! In just one visit she made me feel comfortable and like she is very competent at what she does and gives me hope in our future sessions! She is warm, funny, professional and incredibly intuitive and knowledgeable!