LCSW, 8 years of experience
Hello, I’m Soraya Papayoute, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida. I am First Generation American born to Haitian/Dominican immigrant parents. I earned my Master’s degree from Barry University in Miami and have been practicing for the past six years. My passion lies in helping individuals of all ages and genders navigate their healing journeys, especially when it comes to overcoming traumatic experiences. I’m here to offer a supportive and understanding space where you can explore your feelings, work through challenges, and find the path to healing that’s right for you. Whether you’re dealing with past trauma, seeking personal growth, or just need someone to talk to, I’m committed to walking alongside you every step of the way. Together, we’ll work towards creating a life where you feel more at peace and in control.
In your first session with me as your therapist, you can expect a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where we can begin to get to know each other. This initial session is all about understanding your needs, concerns, and goals for therapy. We’ll talk about what brought you here, what you hope to achieve, and any specific challenges you’re facing. I’ll ask questions to learn more about your background, experiences, and what’s currently going on in your life. This helps me get a clear picture of how I can best support you. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask me any questions about the therapy process, so you feel comfortable and informed. We’ll discuss how therapy works, including what you can expect from our sessions together, and we’ll start to outline a plan tailored to your needs. My aim is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the path forward. This session is the first step in building a trusting, collaborative relationship where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings, and where we can work together toward your goals.
Choosing the right therapist is an important decision, and here’s why I might be the right fit for you. I bring an authentic, peaceful presence to our sessions—creating a space where you can truly be yourself without fear of judgment. My approach is rooted in genuine care and understanding, ensuring that you feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way. I’m open-minded and deeply committed to meeting you where you are. Whether you’re facing trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, or personal growth, I’m ready to walk alongside you on your journey. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, uncover your strengths, and work through obstacles at a pace that feels right for you. I believe in a collaborative process where your voice is central. You’ll find that I’m not here to tell you what to do, but to empower you to find the answers within yourself. My goal is to help you create meaningful change in your life, guiding you toward healing, self-discovery, and a deeper sense of peace. If you’re looking for a therapist who is compassionate, authentic, and truly invested in your well-being, I’m here to support you. Let’s embark on this journey of growth and healing together.
1. The Child, Teen, or Young Adult Who Has Experienced Trauma This ideal client is a child, teen, or young adult who has experienced trauma and is now struggling with the emotional aftermath. They may face nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, or trouble trusting others. They often feel overwhelmed, isolated, or misunderstood despite their resilience. Parents may notice changes in behavior, school performance, or social interactions. What they need most is a safe and supportive space for trauma therapy, where they can process painful experiences, learn healthy coping strategies, and rebuild a sense of safety and confidence. This client (and their family) is searching for child and adolescent trauma counseling that helps them heal, reconnect with themselves, and reclaim joy and hope for the future. 2. The High-Achieving Superwoman Battling Burnout This ideal client is a high-achieving woman who looks like she “has it all together.” She’s a professional, entrepreneur, caregiver, or community leader who excels in multiple roles. But behind her success, she silently battles burnout, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and emotional exhaustion. She often feels like no matter how much she does, it’s never enough. She’s searching for therapy for professional women who want to break free from limiting beliefs, manage stress, and cultivate self-compassion. She’s ready to let go of the “Strong Black Woman” or “Superwoman” expectations, prioritize her mental health, and learn how to thrive without sacrificing her well-being. With the right support, she can step into her full power—balanced, confident, and authentically herself. 3. The Successful Man Held Back by Societal Expectations This ideal client is a successful man who struggles with men’s issues hidden beneath the surface. Outwardly, he’s accomplished and respected—but internally, he feels trapped by toxic masculinity, societal expectations, and pressure to appear strong and unemotional. He may deal with stress, anxiety, unfulfillment, or disconnection from his emotions and relationships. He is searching for men’s therapy that provides a safe, judgment-free space to explore emotions, redefine success, and break free from outdated stereotypes of masculinity. His goal is to find balance, emotional intelligence, and authentic purpose so that he can live fully—not just exist within a role society has defined for him.
EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a type of therapy that helps people heal from past traumas and difficult experiences. Imagine your brain as a filing system, and sometimes when something really upsetting happens, the brain doesn’t file it away properly. Instead, it stays in a way that makes it keep bothering you, like it’s stuck. During EMDR therapy, the therapist helps you focus on those difficult memories while guiding your eyes to move in a specific way, like following their fingers back and forth. This eye movement helps your brain reprocess the memory so that it’s less distressing and can be "filed away" properly. Over time, the upsetting memory loses its strong emotional charge, and you can think about it without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a structured and safe process, and many people find it helps them feel better and more at peace with their past.
Brainspotting is a type of therapy that helps you work through deep emotions, traumas, or difficult experiences by focusing on specific points in your visual field. The idea is that where you look can affect how you feel. During a Brainspotting session, your therapist will help you find a "brainspot"—a spot where your gaze naturally lands when you think about a particular issue or emotion. This spot is believed to connect directly to the part of your brain where that issue or emotion is stored. By focusing on that spot while you talk or think about what’s bothering you, your brain can start to process and release the emotions tied to it. It’s a gentle and supportive way to access feelings that might be hard to reach through words alone, helping you heal and feel better over time.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a type of therapy designed to help children, teens, and young adults who have experienced something very upsetting or traumatic. It combines talking about your thoughts and feelings with learning new skills to cope with the effects of trauma. In TF-CBT, you'll work with a therapist to understand how the trauma has affected you—like how it might make you feel anxious, sad, or scared. The therapist will help you learn ways to manage those feelings, like relaxation techniques or ways to change unhelpful thoughts. You'll also get a chance to talk about the traumatic event in a safe and supportive way, which can help reduce its emotional impact. The goal of TF-CBT is to help you feel better, regain a sense of control, and move forward in a healthy way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps you understand and change the way you think and behave. It focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, showing how negative thoughts can lead to negative feelings and actions. In CBT, you'll work with your therapist to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, such as frequently thinking, "I'm not good enough," which can make you feel sad and avoid trying new things. Together, you'll learn to challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with more positive, realistic ones, which can improve your mood and actions. CBT often includes practical exercises and homework to practice new skills in real-life situations, like keeping a journal, practicing relaxation techniques, or gradually facing fears. It's usually a short-term therapy with specific goals in mind, helping you make tangible changes in your life. Think of CBT as a way to train your brain to think and act in healthier ways.
2 ratings with written reviews
April 29, 2025
Soraya is one of the most amazing human beings and therapist I’ve found in my life. She’s really welcoming, open minded, solution oriented but also super intelligent and with a lot of knowledge. Soraya always offer different solutions or therapies and even though she is patient she’s always encouraging and empowering to take control of your life and improve! Soraya has made such a positive impact on my life that I’m eternally grateful with her! 🙏🏽
April 15, 2025
First time to therapy and it was a great experience. I’m looking forward to my next session.