I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Florida (MT 3746). I am tri-lingual in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Understanding my cultural privilege has helped me to connect with clients and their families under a non-judgement, strength-base and supportive lens. I understand that the therapeutic process can be painful and it takes courage to take the first step therefore I utilize some humor and unconditional positive regard to encourage clients feeling safe and building a trusting therapeutic relationship. My goal is to facilitate all clients achieving their objectives and reaching their version of their best self, tranquility and healthy coping skills under a collaborative approach. My specialty is working with trauma survivors and trauma related symptoms such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive tendencies, guilt, shame, low self-esteem, inability to maintain healthy connections, co-dependency, flashbacks, self-harm and other maladaptive coping responses steaming from traumatic past experiences in both adults and teenagers. Additionally, individuals and families, that present to therapy with couples and relational struggles, needing to strengthen the intimate relationship, experience adolescent’s conflicts and phases of life concerns, want to explore family dynamics, improve parenting and co-parenting skills (including for blended, foster and adoptive families), are struggling with occupational responsibilities and/or social/behavioral challenges. In my free time, I enjoy a self-care routine that includes taking time for myself by reading, exercising, practicing mindfulness and spending time with loved ones. Thank you for visiting my profile and I hope you found what you were looking for! *Writing animal support letters or ESA documentation, disability-related paperwork, court-mandated evaluations, divorce or custody agreement related paperwork would be out of the scope of my practice, therefore is not something I engage in at this time. Thank you. * if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges please call 988 as telehealth services may not be enough support
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During the fist few sessions, rapport will be the most important factor guiding your time with me. Feeling heard, respected, understood and safe are the most important aspects of our therapeutic relationship and I will do my best to ensure we are a good fit according to these concepts. We also will be working on creating goals and planning what would you like to take aways from therapeutic sessions as they progress.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of the most important things I attempt to bring into every session is to maintain a collaborative approach with each client/family to build their self-worth and achievable path for success; all according to their strengths and goals, not the other way around.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Couple's, adults, survivors of past traumatic experiences, family conflicts and teenagers.
About Karina Hester
Identifies as
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
EMDR
My specialty is working with trauma survivors and trauma related symptoms such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive tendencies, guilt, shame, low self-esteem, inability to maintain healthy connections, co-dependency, flashbacks, self-harm and other maladaptive coping responses steaming from traumatic past experiences in both adults and teenagers. I understand that the therapeutic process can be painful and it takes courage to take the first step therefore I utilize some humor and unconditional positive regard to encourage clients feeling safe and building a trusting therapeutic relationship. My goal is to facilitate all clients achieving their objectives and reaching their version of their best self, tranquility and healthy coping skills under a collaborative approach. Using EMDR as the guide for sessions, healthy coping, robust emotional intelligence and a strong sense of self-efficacy and safety can be achieved as time progresses according to each client's readiness. The most important factor, as I see, is to remain client-centered and curious as a clinician to listen and to collaborate with each individual's/ family's needs during the 08 phase process included in EMDR.