Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. I specialize in working with busy women who struggle with high-functioning anxiety showing up as chronic worry, people-pleasing, perfectionism, feeling overwhelmed and more. Imagine a life where anxiety stops running the show. I'll help you shift your relationship with anxiety so you can stop the overthinking and self-doubt--and reconnect with yourself, and with the people and priorities that matter most. I help women who give everything to others but feel disconnected from themselves, high achievers, other therapists, and moms--heal what's beneath the surface. Together, we'll get to the bottom of what's keeping you stuck so you can finally feel free. Working with me means deep, transformative therapy--creating a space where you don't have to perform or filter your pain. Using EMDR and attachment-focused approaches, we work to uncover the real root of what's holding you back, so healing can last. This is your space to finally break free and move forward. I'm April Forella, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and EMDR Certified Therapist based in Palm City, Florida. My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I integrate EMDR therapy, somatic and attachment-based approaches, and tools from CBT and Polyvagal Theory to support deep, lasting healing. Whether you're carrying the weight of childhood wounds, navigating burnout, or simply longing to feel more like yourself again, therapy with me is a space to slow down, reconnect, and grow into the version of you that feels most whole and grounded.
In our first therapy session, you can expect a warm, welcoming space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. We'll start by getting to know each other—I’ll ask questions about what’s bringing you in, what you’ve been struggling with, and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy. You’ll also have the chance to share at your own pace; there’s no pressure to tell your whole story all at once. I’ll walk you through what the therapy process looks like, answer any questions you have, and begin to gently explore how your past experiences may be impacting your present. Most importantly, my goal is to help you feel safe, seen, and supported from the very beginning.
Some of my greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a warm, nonjudgmental space and to attune deeply to what my clients need—even when they’re not sure how to put it into words. I’m skilled at helping high-achieving women slow down, connect with their inner experience, and feel safe enough to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. I bring a steady, grounded presence to sessions and combine evidence-based practices like EMDR, somatic work, and attachment-focused therapy in a way that feels personalized, compassionate, and effective. My clients often share that they feel truly seen, deeply supported, and empowered to make meaningful, lasting changes in their lives.
I’m best suited to serve women who appear strong, capable, and successful on the outside—but inside, they often feel anxious, overwhelmed, and exhausted from trying to hold it all together. Many of the women I work with are high-achievers who struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, overthinking, and a constant inner critic. They may have experienced childhood emotional neglect, complicated family dynamics, or relational trauma that still affects how they show up in the world today. These women are insightful and self-aware, but they often feel stuck—longing for relief, deeper healing, and a more peaceful relationship with themselves. If you’re ready to slow down, unlearn old patterns, and truly invest in your own well-being, I offer a safe, supportive space to help you do just that.
As an EMDR Certified Therapist, I specialize in helping high-achieving women heal from anxiety, perfectionism, overthinking, and past trauma. I’ve been offering EMDR therapy for 10 years in my private practice, where I create a safe, grounded, and supportive environment for deep healing. Our work starts with connection and safety. We'll take time to explore what you're going through and build a therapeutic relationship. I’ve guided many clients through the full EMDR process—from resourcing and preparation to reprocessing painful memories that have kept them stuck in patterns of self-doubt, shame, or overwhelm. Many of my clients arrive feeling exhausted from constantly holding it all together, and through our work, they begin to reconnect with a sense of inner calm, confidence, and self-trust.
In my private practice, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, self-doubt, and overwhelm. CBT offers practical tools that empower clients to better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I’ve found it especially helpful for high-achieving women who often struggle with perfectionism and harsh self-talk. By bringing awareness to these patterns and learning new ways to respond, clients begin to feel more grounded, confident, and in control of their inner experience.
I often draw from an attachment-based therapy approach to help clients explore how early relational experiences shape their current patterns in relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation. Many of the women I work with have histories of feeling unseen, not enough, or overly responsible for others' emotions. Through a secure, attuned therapeutic relationship, we gently work to heal these attachment wounds, develop healthier boundaries, and build a stronger sense of self. This approach supports clients in moving toward more connected, authentic relationships—with others and with themselves.
For clients who are Christians and value their faith, I offer the option to integrate Christian counseling into our work together. This might include incorporating prayer, Scripture, or faith-based reflections as part of the healing process—always in a way that feels authentic and supportive to you. My goal is to create a space where your spiritual beliefs are honored and can serve as a source of strength, comfort, and guidance throughout your therapeutic journey.
In my work with women, I incorporate principles of Polyvagal Theory to help clients better understand their nervous system and how it responds to stress, trauma, and connection. Using a somatic approach, we gently tune into the body’s signals—such as breath, muscle tension, or heart rate—to increase awareness and support regulation. This body-based work helps clients move out of survival states like fight, flight, or freeze, and into a felt sense of safety, calm, and connection. It’s a powerful way to support lasting emotional healing, not just through the mind, but through the body as well.