Hello, I’m Soraya Papayoute, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida. I am a 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 eight 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 our first session together, here's what you can expect
In your first session with me, you can expect a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where we begin getting to know each other. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, your current challenges, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I’ll ask questions to better understand your background and experiences, and you’ll also have space to ask any questions about the therapy process. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and hopeful as we begin building a trusting, collaborative relationship.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Choosing the right therapist is an important decision, and I strive to offer a calm, authentic, and non-judgmental space where you can show up as your full self. My approach is grounded in genuine care, meeting you where you are and supporting you through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, relationships, or personal growth. Therapy with me is collaborative and empowering—I won’t tell you what to do, but will help you uncover your strengths and find what works best for you. The goal is to support meaningful change, healing, and a deeper sense of peace as we work together.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
1. The Child, Teen, or Young Adult Who Has Experienced Trauma- This client is a child, teen, or young adult who has experienced trauma and is struggling with the emotional impact it has left behind. They may experience anxiety, nightmares, mood changes, difficulty trusting others, or challenges at school or in relationships. Parents or caregivers may notice shifts in behavior, emotional regulation, or overall well-being. What they need most is a safe, supportive space to process their experiences, build healthy coping skills, and begin to feel secure, confident, and hopeful again. 2. The High-Achieving Superwoman Battling Burnout- This client is a high-achieving woman who appears strong, capable, and successful, yet feels emotionally exhausted behind the scenes. She may struggle with burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or feeling like she can never do enough. She has carried the weight of being the “Strong One” for far too long and is ready for relief. She seeks therapy as a space to slow down, release unrealistic expectations, reconnect with herself, and create balance without guilt. 3. The Successful Man Held Back by Societal Expectations- This client is a successful man who feels pressure to always be strong, composed, and in control, even when it comes at a personal cost. He may struggle with stress, emotional disconnection, relationship challenges, or feeling unfulfilled despite external success. Societal expectations around masculinity have made it difficult for him to express vulnerability or ask for support. Therapy offers him a safe, judgment-free space to explore emotions, redefine strength, and build a more authentic and balanced life.
EMDR
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
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 CBT
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 (CBT)
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.