LaVon Gainey
Welcome! I'm LaVon You've taken the first step towards bettering your mental health because, let's be honest - starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, or scary, all at the same time. Starting therapy can feel exciting, confusing, or even a little scary, sometimes all at once. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe exploring what's weighing on you, whether that's trauma, anxiety, depression, or just needing room to reconnect with yourself. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to trauma, anxiety, depression, and/or self-care. If you're carrying something from your past, whether from childhood or adulthood, I want to help you unpack it in a space that's judgment-free and centered on you. Counseling can foster personal development in whatever way you may be seeking and help build the life you so deeply deserve. If that's what you're looking for, I'm here when you're ready to share.
The last 3 years I have worked with children who have been sexually abuse along with the caregiver in learning how to improve their trauma experience.
First session
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, gather history, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Strengths
I focus on helping clients improve on living in the present rather than the past. I will help you develop boundaries those around you and help improve your quality of life. Over the past two decades, I've walked alongside children, teens (13-19 y.o.), caregivers, and older adults (55-65 y.o.) through some of their hardest moments, including survivors of abuse (sexual/domestic violence) and families navigating trauma. That experience has taught me how to meet you where you are and build a plan that actually fits your life, not a one-size-fits-all approach."
Ideal clients
I love working with children ages 11-17 and adults who are struggling with life experiences. I have worked in the mental healh field for the past 20+ years and enjoy being allowed to be part of your journey for change. Unpacking the trauma you have experienced in childhoold and/or adulthood. I'd say I created an environment that allows my clients to feel safe in sharing their life experiences without judgement.
Treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
Therapists may help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts. For example, if someone thinks "One person made fun of me, so that means everyone hates me," a therapist might help them identify that this is an unhelpful thought. Therapists may use sensory activities to help people become more aware of the present moment. For example, they might ask a person to focus on the taste of different foods or the feel of different fabrics.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Understanding the automatic negative thoughts which cause high anxiety. Teach clients to recognize and challenge their automatic thoughts . An important goal during CBT will be to identify and then dismantle these thoughts.
Trauma Informed Care
First step in treating trauma is to normalize these symptoms and help sufferers understand that they aren’t broken, wrong, or alone. Help organize reactions into four themes: reliving the trauma, avoiding trauma reminders, upsetting thoughts or emotions, feeling “on edge” During exposure, a client will be confronted with reminders of their trauma gradually, in a safe environment. With enough exposure, memories of trauma lose their emotional power.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Meditation. Body Scan with cognitive therapy. echniques such as breathing meditation, body scan meditation, walking meditation, and yoga meditation. Three-minute breathing space: A quick exercise that involves observing your mental and emotional state, focusing on your breath, and paying attention to physical sensations.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
A type of psychotherapy that helps people accept their thoughts and feelings, and adjust their behaviors to match their values
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- FloridaLicense MH13303