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. 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 have been working with a variety of populations and different ages under a systemic frame, including 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. As a clinician, I am well trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, play in therapy, Motivational Interviewing and EMDR. As a family therapist I utilize systemic and relational concepts to orient client's treatment and their sessions. 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. Appreciating the importance of taking care of oneself is a crucial part of being able to be present for others. Self-awareness and considering the systems that we all participate in can bring out the most powerful motivation for growth! 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.
About Karina Hester
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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.