LMHC, 11 years of experience
Do you feel pulled in a million directions, unable to fit it all in? Are you struggling to keep up with your relationships, work and health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself? I help high performers manage anxiety and avoid burnout. Together, we can identify what's not working and get you back to balance. Hello! My name is Vanessa Almendarez and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in South Florida. I have a passion for helping people fulfill their purpose in life. I specialize in children, adolescents, and adults. I provide an engaged, safe and compassionate space where you can tell your story and explore how thoughts and past experiences impact the way you feel, behave, relate to others and manage life's challenges. I will assist you in finding healthy alternatives and an empowered path forward. For over 9 years, I have taken an integrative approach and collaborated with my clients using different techniques to help them achieve their mental health goals in areas such as anxiety, depression, emotional disturbance, anger management codependency, career counseling and so much more. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps toward change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!
During our first session, I will spend time getting to know you. I believe in meeting clients where they are and working collaboratively as a team to help bring you to the life you were meant to live.
I specialize in ADHD, anxiety, and depression. My focus is on helping you to become confident in yourself, as well as learning strategies to manage day-to-day. I believe in taking a collaborative approach to helping clients reach their goals.
I love working with all type of age groups. I believe that we all have the opportunity to thrive.
I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my clinical practice because it is a structured, evidence-based approach that effectively addresses a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and stress-related issues. I have extensive training in CBT and have used it consistently over the past several years to help clients develop insight into the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In my work with children, teens, and adults, I tailor CBT interventions to meet each individual’s developmental level and presenting concerns. For example, with younger clients, I often incorporate creative, play-based elements to help them identify and reframe negative thought patterns. With adolescents and adults, I emphasize practical strategies such as thought records, behavioral experiments, and cognitive restructuring to challenge unhelpful thinking and promote healthier coping skills. CBT allows me to empower clients by helping them understand the 'why' behind their emotional responses and giving them concrete tools they can apply in real life. I also regularly integrate goal-setting and progress tracking to ensure treatment remains focused and effective.