Licensed to practice in 2 states. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 1 more.
(she/her)
Hello and thanks for stopping by! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida and New York. Originally from New York City, I earned my Bachelor's in Psychology from Hunter College and my Master's in Social Work from Columbia University. I've lived in Florida since 1999. I've worked in the mental health field for over 20 years, across community organizations, hospitals, residential and outpatient settings, in-home care, and schools. My clinical experience includes anxiety, depression, autism, trauma and abuse, family of origin issues, relationship issues, and LGBTQ-related concerns. My counseling style is client-centered, holistic, and culturally sensitive. I strive to create a non-judgmental, warm, and supportive environment, using an eclectic mix of evidence-based techniques tailored to each client's needs — including Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and Brainspotting. I strongly believe everyone needs someone they can share their troubles and triumphs with. It takes courage to recognize you could benefit from outside support. Congratulations on taking the first step toward self-discovery and healing. Good luck on your journey!! Bernadette Alers-Estelle, LCSW, CCTP (I & II)
During the initial session, the focus is on gathering information, establishing rapport, and pinpointing the specific areas the individual wishes to address. Given that I often work with individuals who have experienced trauma, I approach the session with heightened sensitivity, aiming to create a comfortable atmosphere and genuinely understand their concerns. I make a concerted effort to put them at ease and establish a connection, making it easier for them to share their experiences.
I believe that my strengths as a therapist are my ability to support, inform, reframe and validate my clients, in order to provide them with a sense of empowerment.
I offer BIPOC-focused care for adult clients who are ready to explore the impact of trauma and family-of-origin dynamics on their present-day lives. My ideal client may be feeling stuck in patterns rooted in their past, carrying unresolved pain from earlier relationships or experiences, and is seeking more than talk therapy alone can offer. They are curious about — or already familiar with — body-based and neurologically-informed approaches like EMDR and Brainspotting, and are open to a process that moves beyond cognitive insight toward deeper, lasting change. They value having a therapist who understands the specific cultural context they navigate, and they're looking for a collaborative space where all parts of their story are welcome.
I work in an integrative way rather than sticking to just one method. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) as my main lens for understanding what's going on beneath the surface — the different parts of a person and what they're protecting or carrying. From there, I bring in EMDR and Brainspotting to help actually process and move through that material, choosing whichever fits best in the moment. Some things respond well to a more structured approach, and some need something slower and more body-based. I let the client and what they're bringing in guide which tool I reach for, rather than forcing everything into one model.
1 rating with written reviews
May 2, 2025
Bernadette was an amazing therapist, and I would have continued with her had my insurance not changed though work.