Licensed to practice in Florida and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions and 2 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello, my name is Celanie. I offer an open, warm, culturally attuned, and supportive space for you to grow and thrive. With over 20 years of experience, I meet you exactly where you are. My therapeutic approach is practical, collaborative, and tailored to your unique journey. Together, we will focus on your strengths and build actionable tools for meaningful, positive change.
Our first session is all about creating a safe, comfortable, and judgment-free space where we can get to know each other. Walking into therapy can feel daunting, so my main priority is to help you feel heard, respected, and at ease. We will start by discussing what brings you to therapy and exploring your current challenges, as well as your strengths and goals. Think of this as a collaborative conversation rather than an interrogation; you only share what you feel ready to share. We will look at where you are today and start mapping out a path toward where you want to be. By the end of our time together, we will have a baseline plan and a few practical thoughts on how we can work together to empower your growth and positive change.
Having worked across the spectrum of care-from private practice to community agencies, residential and intensive partial hospitalization programs-I bring a deep, well-rounded perspective to my sessions. This varied life and professional experience means very little surprises me, allowing me to remain a steady, grounded anchor for you no matter what you are walking through. My therapeutic style is a balanced blend of both holding space and active engagement. I believe true growth requires a safe, warm environment where you feel deeply heard and understood. However, because I am highly solution-focused, I won't just sit quietly in silence. When you are ready, I will gently push back, challenge old patterns, and collaborate with you to build practical tools for real-world change. I will aim to support and guide you to connect with your authentic self. While I love working with highly motivated individuals, I deeply understand that depression, anxiety, PTSD, recovery from substance use, and major life transitions can significantly impact my clients' energy and engagement levels. Because of this, I meet my clients where they are on any given day. They do not have to have it all figured out to show up; I am here to provide the steady support, encouragement, and practical guidance they need to gently build momentum and move forward at their own pace.
My ideal clients are individuals looking for an active, collaborative partner in their mental health journey. They may be struggling with overwhelming emotions, work, school, family- life balance, or past experiences that affect their present happiness. If you are ready to show up authentically, challenge old mindsets, and learn mindfulness or evidence-based tools to manage life's hurdles, we will be a great fit. Together, we will create a secure, non-judgmental space to clarify your goals, heal, and build a more fulfilling life.
I look at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a practical tool for everyday life. Simply put, how we think impacts how we feel, which then impacts how we act. When you are feeling overwhelmed, it is very easy to get trapped in negative, automatic thought patterns that keep you feeling stuck, anxious, or down. In our sessions, we will work together to gently identify those unhelpful thought patterns and look at them with curiosity instead of judgment. I will help you challenge those thoughts and replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. CBT with me isn’t just about talking; it is about giving you actionable, real-world tools and coping strategies you can use between our sessions to break old habits, manage stress, and regain control over your emotional well-being.
How I use Trauma-Focused CBT in my practice: When you experience something painful, frightening, or overwhelming, those memories can stay with you long after the event is over. They might show up as sudden bursts of anxiety, trouble sleeping, feeling constantly on edge, or having a hard time trusting others. Trauma-Focused CBT is a compassionate, structured way to help you process those memories so they no longer control your present life. Together, we will work in a safe, steady space to help you understand the connection between your past experiences and your current feelings. I will teach you practical relaxation and emotional regulation tools to manage overwhelming stress in the moment. Gently and at your own pace, we will look at how the trauma may have changed how you view yourself and the world, helping you untangle those painful thoughts so you can heal, feel safe again, and move forward.
How I use Solution-Focused Therapy in my practice: While it is important to understand where you have been, we don't need to spend all of our time digging into the past to help you feel better today. Solution-Focused Therapy is a positive, forward-looking approach that focuses on your future goals and your current strengths rather than just your problems. In our sessions, we will look at what is already working well in your life and uncover the inner resilience you already possess. Together, we will identify clear, manageable goals and focus on the practical, step-by-step changes you can make right now. Think of it as a collaborative strategy session where we focus less on "why" a problem exists and more on "how" we can build a happier, more fulfilling path forward, starting today.
How I use Motivational Interviewing in my practice: Change is hard, and it is completely normal to feel stuck, hesitant, or conflicted about making a shift in your life—even when you know it's good for you. Motivational Interviewing is a conversation style that helps you work through that internal tug-of-war. Instead of me telling you what to do or giving you advice, we will explore what truly matters to you. I am here to help you connect with your own personal reasons, values, and motivations for wanting things to look different. Think of it as an encouraging partnership where we look at the pros and cons of making a change, build your confidence, and find the spark that will help you take the next steps on your own terms.
How I use Person-Centered Therapy in my practice: At its core, this approach means that you are the true expert on your own life. My role isn't to be a rigid authority figure who tells you how to live or what to think. Instead, I am here to walk alongside you as a supportive, empathetic partner. In our sessions, I focus on creating an environment completely free of judgment, where you can safely explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences exactly as they are. I believe that when you are given genuine warmth, acceptance, and a truly safe space to be heard, you naturally possess the inner capacity to heal, grow, and discover the best answers for yourself. I am here to help you tap into that inner wisdom and connect with who you truly are.