Licensed to practice in Florida and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Depression, Anxiety, Substance Misuse and 10 more.

Lea S. Rojas Otero

(she/her)

LMHC, 10 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida and a Licensed and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC-I, CADC-II) in Massachusetts, as well as a Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional and an Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor in the state of Florida. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-I), with extensive experience supporting individuals with both mental health and substance use concerns. I provide individual psychotherapy via telehealth to adolescents and adults, using an integrative, evidence-based approach grounded primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while also incorporating Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care. My practice is centered on creating a compassionate, collaborative, and non-judgmental space where clients feel supported in exploring challenges and working toward meaningful change.

Get to know me

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

In our first session, we will focus on getting to know each other and understanding what brings you to therapy. I will ask questions about your current concerns, symptoms, goals, and relevant personal history to help build a clear picture of your needs and what you would like to work on. This session is also an opportunity for you to share at your own pace and ask any questions you may have about the therapy process. We will begin identifying initial goals and discussing what support may be most helpful for you moving forward. My priority in the first session is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable and heard. Together, we will start building a foundation for a collaborative treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my core strengths as a therapist is creating a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where clients feel safe, heard, and respected. I believe clients set the tone and pace of their therapy, and I collaborate closely with them to meet them where they are while honoring their readiness for change. My approach is client-centered and flexible, meaning sessions are not rigid or driven by a set agenda, but instead guided by what feels most relevant and meaningful to the client in the moment. I prioritize listening, validation, and understanding, especially early in the therapeutic process, to build trust and a strong foundation for growth. At the same time, therapy is not only about validation or agreement—it is also about growth. When clinically appropriate, I may gently challenge clients to explore patterns, consider different perspectives, and step outside of their comfort zones. This balance of support and challenge helps promote insight, accountability, and meaningful change over time. I also bring a strong foundation in evidence-based practices, including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, ACT, and trauma-informed care, which I integrate based on each client’s unique needs. My goal is to support clients in feeling empowered, while also helping them build the skills and awareness needed to move toward the changes they want in their lives.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to better understand themselves, develop healthier coping strategies, and create meaningful change in their lives. I work well with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, substance use concerns, relationship difficulties, family conflict, and major life transitions. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally exhausted, or uncertain about how to move forward. Given my background in both mental health and addiction counseling, I am particularly well-positioned to support individuals struggling with substance use, recovery, relapse prevention, and co-occurring mental health concerns. I also enjoy helping clients who are exploring patterns in their relationships, working to improve communication, establish healthier boundaries, or heal from past experiences that continue to impact their daily lives. As a bilingual therapist fluent in English and Spanish, I have extensive experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, including immigrants, minority populations, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and single parents. I strive to provide a culturally sensitive and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe, respected, and understood. Whether a client is seeking symptom relief, personal growth, greater self-confidence, healthier relationships, or support through a difficult season of life, I aim to meet them where they are and collaborate with them in creating lasting and meaningful change.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

Addiction

Self Esteem

Trauma and PTSD

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the primary approach I use in my work with clients. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that may be contributing to emotional distress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, substance use, or other life challenges. In therapy, I help clients develop greater awareness of these patterns and learn practical tools to challenge negative thinking, regulate emotions, and respond to situations in healthier and more effective ways. My approach is collaborative, goal-oriented, and tailored to each individual's needs. I often incorporate coping skills training, problem-solving techniques, communication strategies, behavioral interventions, and relapse prevention planning when appropriate.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered approach that I frequently use to help individuals explore and strengthen their motivation for change. Rather than telling clients what they should do, I work collaboratively with them to identify their own goals, values, and reasons for making changes in their lives. I believe that lasting change is most effective when it comes from within. Through open-ended questions, reflective listening, and a nonjudgmental approach, I help clients explore ambivalence, build confidence, and overcome barriers that may be preventing them from moving forward. My role is to create a supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make decisions that align with their personal goals. I often integrate Motivational Interviewing with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches to help clients develop practical strategies while increasing their readiness for change. This approach can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with substance use, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, health-related behavior changes, life transitions, and other situations where motivation may fluctuate. My goal is to meet clients where they are, honor their autonomy, and support them in taking meaningful steps toward the life they want to create.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an approach that helps clients develop a healthier relationship with their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Rather than focusing on eliminating difficult feelings, ACT encourages individuals to accept what is outside of their control while committing to actions that align with their values and goals. In my practice, I help clients identify the thoughts and emotions that may be keeping them stuck and develop skills to respond to them with greater flexibility and self-compassion. Together, we explore what matters most to the client and create practical steps toward living a more meaningful and fulfilling life, even in the presence of stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, or other challenges. ACT is particularly helpful for individuals who find themselves struggling against difficult emotions, engaging in self-criticism, avoiding uncomfortable experiences, or feeling disconnected from their values. Through mindfulness-based techniques, values exploration, and behavioral change strategies, clients learn to become more present, increase psychological flexibility, and move toward the life they want to live. I often integrate ACT with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches to provide personalized care that supports both emotional healing and meaningful growth. My goal is to help clients build resilience, increase self-awareness, and create lasting change that is guided by their values rather than their fears.

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