LMHC, 12 years of experience
Frequently rebooked
Welcome! I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and have been working in the mental health field throughout the majority of my adult life. If you're here, then you've taken the first step of considering counseling. You deserve to have the bravery of that first step recognized - because it is indeed BRAVE. Starting counseling can feel scary and overcoming that can be a challenge. So congratulations! Now let's get started.
When we first meet I will begin to get to know you as a whole person. I will ask you to discuss in more detail what has motivated you to seek counseling as well as your current situation (work, relationships, etc.) and some of your personal history. I have a great track record of helping my clients feel welcome and at ease in what can be an unsettling situation so you are likely to find it to be reasonably comfortable. Of course, I will be happy to answer any questions you have about the process and my professional background and style.
Feedback from my clients tells me that I am perceptive and particularly insightful. I have a good record of helping people get past that hurdle of this naturally awkward situation and feel comfortable expressing and exploring themselves. One of the most common questions I hear early on from clients is, "Is that normal?" To which I typically respond, "Define normal. And good luck with that." One person's "normal" is bizarre to someone else. I don't care about "normal." I care about functioning. Does it work or does it cause problems? That is the question. In all of my time as a therapist, I have yet to be shocked by a client so never ever worry about that with me. I will accept you. I will challenge you. I will not judge you.
I have come to find that I love working with clients who feel uncertain about the starting counseling process. But ultimately a motivated client is typically the most likely to benefit from counseling. The fact is that no therapist can change you. What we all do is help you to change yourself.
CBT is the "gold standard" for counseling for a reason. The evidence that it is accurate - and works- is overwhelming. And I have found it to be effective with my clients.
Couples counseling is my first love and, according to my clients, I have been successful in helping many to address and resolve their difficulties.
Culturally competent counseling is a passion of mine. I will never know exactly what the experience is of a person of an ethnicity, gender, sex, or sexuality other than mine. And it starts with that knowledge. There have been too many stories of people having their experiences as, for instance, a BIPOC person minimized by their counselor. I can promise that I will always do my best to prevent this from ever happening in sessions with me.
Some treatment methods have been shown to be more effective with some problems than others. While my fundamental focus is on CBT, I integrate elements of a person-centered approach and other methods, such as ACT, mindfulness, solution-focused, motivational interviewing, as needed.
Consistent use of these techniques has been shown to increase our sense of well-being.
2 ratings with written reviews
July 4, 2025
It would not let me pick more options, so let me expound here. She was authentic, direct, and open minded. She made me feel welcome and I appreciate her willingness to allow me to breathe through tough questions and laugh with me. My jokes are silly and a way for me to cope. She made me feel like I was talking with a long time, trusted friend. Thank you!
June 6, 2025
Tamara is amazing. She makes hard concepts so easy to interpret and process she makes you feel understood and heard.