Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Women's Issues, LGBTQ and 7 more.
New to Grow
Hello! I am Gladys Duran, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) with 28 years of experience helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, heal, and thrive. As the founder of **Pivotal Beginnings**, I provide 100% remote, secure telehealth therapy tailored to clients across Florida and Virginia. My practice is a safe, compassionate, and deeply affirming space. I specialize in individual therapy across the lifespan, working with teenagers (13–17), adults, and elders. Because I believe everyone deserves to be truly seen and respected, I am a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQ+ community—providing identity-affirming care for transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals—as well as specialized support for women. As a fully bilingual therapist, I am proud to offer therapy in both English and Spanish, ensuring you can express yourself in the language you feel most comfortable using. Whether you are navigating the pressures of school, balancing a demanding career, exploring your identity, or adjusting to a new chapter in retirement, we will work collaboratively at your pace. My goal is to help you safely process stressors, build resilient coping mechanisms, and move toward lasting healing.
Taking the first step into therapy can feel a bit overwhelming, but our initial session is designed to be a gentle, collaborative, and pressure-free introduction. Think of it as a mutual "get-to-know-you" conversation where we lay the foundation for your healing journey. Here is exactly what we will cover during our first 50-minute virtual session: We will start by ensuring you are comfortable with the HIPAA-compliant video platform. I want to ensure you feel secure, safe, and private in your space before we continue. We will briefly touch upon standard housekeeping items, such as confidentiality, practice policies, and any initial paperwork or intake assessments (like the GAD-7 or PHQ-9) you may have filled out. At your own pace, I will invite you to share what brings you to therapy right now. We will discuss the current challenges you are facing—whether it’s managing anxiety, navigating life transitions, exploring identity, or coping with body image distress. You only have to share what you feel ready to share. Together, we will start exploring what a "successful" therapy experience looks like for you. Whether you want rapid, solution-focused coping tools for workplace burnout or deep, identity-affirming support, we will align on a path forward that fits your unique needs. This session is also an opportunity for you to interview me! You can ask about my therapeutic approach, my 28 years of experience, or how we will work together to ensure this partnership feels like the right fit for you. By the end of the session, you should have a clearer sense of how we will work together and a roadmap for our upcoming sessions. You don't need to have anything perfectly figured out before we meet—just bring yourself exactly as you are.
1. Extensive Clinical Wisdom & Versatility With 28 years of experience, I bring deep clinical insight that can only be built over decades of practice. I have successfully navigated complex clinical caseloads, crisis interventions, and diverse population needs across school systems, EAPs, and private practice. 2. A Digitally-Seamless Telehealth Practice I am an expert in the virtual space. Because I exclusively provide 100% remote psychotherapy, clients get a smooth, professional, and secure digital experience. I understand how to build rapid rapport in a virtual environment so that therapy feels deeply personal, connected, and safe despite being behind a screen. 3. Identity-Affirming & Inclusive Advocacy I bring a strong foundation in LGBTQ+ advocacy and specialized care for women, transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals. My clients can expect a deeply validating environment where identity is honored, and they don't have to spend energy "educating" me on basic cultural or gender realities. 4. Dual-Fluency Cultural Competency I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish this allows me to cross cultural and linguistic barriers effortlessly. I provide an environment where clients can express nuanced emotional experiences in whichever language feels most native and comfortable to them, naturally driving higher client satisfaction. 5. Multi-Systemic Expertise (Youth to Elders) I have a unique combination of a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership gives me a rare dual lens. I understand the psychological frameworks of individual development, but also understand systemic environments—such as helping a teenager transition back into high school after eating disorder treatment or helping an adult navigate corporate EAP burnout. 6. Evidence-Based, Solution-Focused Frameworks I blend deep empathy with structured, proven clinical modalities. I have expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy that ensures clients don't just "talk about problems"—they walk away with practical coping strategies, cognitive restructuring tools, and measurable milestones.
I provide a compassionate, deeply affirming space for individuals navigating life’s complex transitions, identity exploration, and personal growth. In my practice, I focus exclusively on individual therapy across the lifespan, working closely with teenagers (13 to 17), adults, and elders (65 and above). I am particularly passionate about, and experienced in, supporting women and members of the LGBTQ+ community—with a dedicated focus on transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals. My goal is to cultivate a secure, inclusive environment where you feel truly seen, heard, and respected for exactly who you are. Whether you are a teenager navigating the intense pressures of academic and social life, an adult balancing the demands of career and family, or an older adult adjusting to a new chapter in retirement, we will work collaboratively at your pace. Together, we can address challenges such as anxiety, self-acceptance, relationship dynamics, and major life changes. If you are looking for a dedicated partner to help you safely explore your identity, process stressors, develop sustainable coping mechanisms, and build a more resilient future, I am here to support you on your journey toward healing.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use this treatment to help you understand how your thoughts dictate you feel and act towards a situation.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I help you understand how to stop fighting painful thoughts and embrace your feelings and find purpose in your life
Gender-affirming therapy
This approach takes many forms and it is dictated.by your needs. It may involve social, medical or legal affirmations to help support your journey.
Trauma Informed Care
This approach recognizes how past trauma is affecting your well being.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I help.you focus on your strengths and not dwell on the past.