Mark Zauss
I'm a licensed mental health counselor in Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Connecticut, with over 18 years of experience helping individuals overcome life’s challenges and achieve meaningful personal growth. I specialize in treating and diagnosing ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, narcissistic abuse recovery, bipolar disorder, complex trauma, OCD, PTSD, agoraphobia, social anxiety, relationship struggles, career issues, and alcohol use disorder. I'm an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider, Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician, and a Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist. I'm also a Double Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). I offer online counseling as a Board Certified Telehealth Provider, giving clients flexible, convenient access to therapy from wherever they are. My approach is grounded in evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.
Most importantly, I see my role as helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves—so they can live happier, more fulfilling lives on their own terms.
I graduated with honors from Rollins College, one of the top-ranked institutions in the field of mental health counseling. Since then, I’ve been committed to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for the individuals I serve. Whether you're navigating the effects of trauma, struggling with attention or mood regulation, working to break free from a toxic relationship, or simply seeking clarity and direction, I’m here to help. My goal is to support you in developing practical tools, deeper self-understanding, and lasting emotional resilience so you can live a more balanced and fulfilling life.
First session
In our first session, you can expect a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you’re encouraged to share what’s bringing you to therapy at your own pace. My approach is rooted in compassion, professionalism, and collaboration. We'll explore your concerns, talk about what you hope to achieve, and begin identifying the thoughts, emotions, or patterns that may be impacting your well-being. I’ll also answer any questions you may have about the therapy process and work with you to start developing a treatment plan that aligns with your goals. Whether you're facing a specific challenge or seeking clarity and direction, this first session is the first step in a thoughtful and empowering journey toward meaningful change.
Strengths
I believe my greatest strengths lie in my ability to truly listen with patience and presence. I offer unconditional positive regard, creating a safe and nonjudgmental space where individuals feel heard and valued. I’m able to help others identify the unique strengths they possess, which I use to help motivate and empower them toward meaningful change. I also place a strong emphasis on diagnostic accuracy, using evidence-based assessments to guide treatment planning. Most importantly, I see my role as helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves—so they can live happier, more fulfilling lives on their own terms.
Ideal clients
I’m best positioned to serve individuals seeking clarity, understanding, and effective treatment for conditions that are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. I'm formally trained to diagnose and treat ADHD using formal assessment tools. I work closely with clients to provide accurate diagnoses and personalized strategies that foster real change. I also specialize in supporting partners and survivors of narcissistic abuse—those navigating the aftermath of emotionally toxic relationships. This work often involves addressing complex trauma, where I use psychoeducation to help clients understand the impact of abuse, rebuild their sense of self, and regain emotional safety and strength. In addition to ADHD and trauma-related care, I treat panic disorder, agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder, and have extensive experience in accurately diagnosing these conditions. My approach combines evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with education and practical tools that promote insight, emotional regulation, and long-term recovery. Clients who benefit most from my work are often seeking both a deeper understanding of their mental health and a structured path forward. Whether you’re struggling with attention, emotional dysregulation, trauma recovery, or mood instability, I strive to create a safe, supportive environment where healing and personal growth are possible.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals with ADHD, mood disorders, and trauma-related challenges gain insight into unhelpful thought patterns and behavioral responses. Through evidence-based strategies, I assist clients in developing practical tools to manage emotional dysregulation, increase focus and motivation, and reduce anxiety and depression. CBT empowers clients to create lasting change by promoting healthier thinking, improved self-awareness, and effective coping skills.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my work with individuals experiencing ADHD, mood disorders, and trauma-related symptoms. DBT provides practical, skills-based strategies to improve emotional regulation, enhance focus, reduce impulsivity, and manage distress. By combining mindfulness with structured interventions, I help clients build resilience, strengthen relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with greater stability and confidence.
Positive Psychology
I have found Positive Psychology to be a transformative approach in my work as a therapist. It complements traditional models by focusing not just on symptom reduction, but on enhancing well-being, resilience, and personal growth. I’ve integrated this treatment method into my practice for several years, using it alongside evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In sessions, I help clients identify their core strengths and explore how these can be used to overcome challenges, improve relationships, and find deeper meaning in their lives. I often incorporate gratitude practices, mindfulness techniques, and values-based goal setting to increase positive emotions and build psychological resilience. Tools like the VIA Character Strengths assessment help clients gain insight into their natural abilities and shift their focus from problems to possibilities. I use Positive Psychology especially with clients struggling with ADHD, Autism, depression, and anxiety—helping them build confidence, cultivate self-compassion, and reconnect with what brings them joy and purpose. Rather than seeing change as fixing what's broken, I guide clients toward recognizing their inner resources and taking ownership of their path forward. Ultimately, my goal is to empower clients not just to feel better, but to live better—by aligning with their strengths, values, and potential.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is an evidence-based treatment approach that helps clients better understand their mental health conditions, symptoms, behaviors, emotions, and the underlying neurological and psychological processes that contribute to their experiences. By learning how conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, bipolar disorder, and other mental health concerns affect the brain and body, clients often develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and insight into their symptoms. Increased understanding can reduce shame, self-blame, confusion, and fear while empowering clients to actively participate in treatment, recognize symptom patterns, utilize coping skills more effectively, make informed decisions, and improve overall treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment approach designed to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences while reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and emotional distress. TF-CBT helps clients understand how trauma affects thoughts, emotions, behaviors, physical sensations, and relationships. Through a combination of psychoeducation, emotional regulation skills, cognitive restructuring, gradual processing of traumatic memories, and development of healthy coping strategies, clients learn to reduce the emotional intensity associated with traumatic experiences and challenge unhelpful trauma-related beliefs. As treatment progresses, clients often experience decreased avoidance, fewer intrusive memories and triggers, improved emotional regulation, increased resilience, and a greater sense of safety, empowerment, and control over their lives.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- ConnecticutLicense 46.006894
- FloridaLicense MH10977
- MassachusettsLicense LMHC10000473
- MichiganLicense 6401226119