Mikaela Renner
Hi, I’m Mikaela, a mental health therapist who works with teens, young adults, (Ages 13-30 years old) navigating anxiety, trauma, substance use, emotion regulation challenges, and difficult life transitions. I also specialize in working with individuals involved in the court system.
I also specialize in working with individuals involved in the court system.
I use TF-CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic therapy to help clients process trauma, better understand patterns in their thoughts and behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and develop healthier coping skills. My approach is direct, compassionate, and focused on creating a safe space for clients to be themselves openly and honestly.
First session
During the first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and talking about what brings you to therapy, the challenges you’re facing, and what you hope to get out of the process. We’ll also go over your history, current stressors, coping patterns, and any goals you may have for therapy. My goal is to create a comfortable space where you can be open, ask questions, and move at a pace that feels right for you.
Strengths
What stands out about my approach is that I balance honesty, accountability, compassion, and humor while creating a space where clients can be real without feeling judged. I focus on helping clients understand the deeper patterns behind their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while also building practical coping skills they can actually use in everyday life.
Ideal clients
I’m best positioned to support teens and young adults (30 and younger) who feel stuck in unhealthy patterns, overwhelmed by emotions, or tired of coping through avoidance, anger, substance use, or self-destructive behaviors. I work well with clients who want honest, direct therapy without judgment, toxic positivity, or “just think positive” advice. Many of my clients are working through anxiety, depression, trauma, emotion regulation difficulties, family conflict, identity struggles, behavioral concerns, or substance use, and want practical tools to better understand themselves, improve relationships, and build healthier ways of coping.
Origin story
I became a therapist because I know how much it can matter to have someone in your corner when life feels overwhelming or you’re trying to figure out where you fit in the world. As a military kid, I grew up experiencing a lot of change and learning how to navigate relationships and transitions. Those experiences helped me understand what it’s like to constantly adapt while still trying to figure out who you are. That’s a big part of why I love working with teenagers and young adults. Those years can already be complicated, and adding trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, family stress, or major life changes can make things feel even harder. I want my clients to have a space where they don’t have to pretend they have everything figured out. My experiences working with trauma, addiction, and at-risk youth have continued to reinforce why I chose this field. I don’t see people as their diagnosis, their mistakes, or the worst thing they’ve done. I see them as people trying to cope with whatever life has thrown at them. Being a therapist gives me the opportunity to meet people where they are, help them build the tools they need, and remind them that struggling doesn’t mean they’re broken. Sometimes you just need someone in your corner while you figure your shit out.
Treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
I utilize Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help clients process trauma, improve emotional regulation, and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and behavioral distress. My approach incorporates psychoeducation, coping skills, cognitive processing, and trauma-informed interventions tailored to each client’s individual needs.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns, improve coping skills, and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and behavioral concerns. My approach is collaborative, goal-oriented, and tailored to each client’s individual needs.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. My approach focuses on helping clients manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthier coping strategies tailored to their individual needs.
Psychodynamic
I utilize psychodynamic therapy to help clients explore how past experiences, relationships, and unconscious patterns may impact their current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My approach focuses on increasing self-awareness, improving insight, and supporting long-term emotional growth and healing.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- FloridaLicense MH26285