Licensed to practice in Florida and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Child or Adolescent and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Bernadette — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes therapy should feel safe, supportive, and genuinely helpful. My style is warm, down‑to‑earth, and collaborative. I’m the kind of therapist who listens closely, asks thoughtful questions, and gives you practical tools you can use in real life. I’m not here to judge or lecture; I’m here to walk alongside you as you learn, grow, and build the confidence to navigate life’s challenges. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable with me quickly because I’m approachable, honest, and easy to talk to. I bring a balance of compassion and structure to every session. You’ll always know you have a space where your feelings matter, your experiences are respected, and your goals guide our work. My background includes extensive training in trauma‑informed care, CBT, DBT, and family‑systems approaches. I support children, teens, adults, couples, and families who are navigating anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, relationship stress, low self‑esteem, or major life transitions. I also have a strong passion for working with neurodivergent clients and families, offering an affirming space where strengths are recognized and supported. My own life experiences — growing up in a close family, learning the importance of communication, and navigating my own seasons of growth — shape the way I show up as a therapist. I understand what it feels like to carry a lot, to want to do well, and to feel overwhelmed by expectations. That’s why I focus on helping clients build emotional clarity, healthier patterns, and practical coping skills that truly make a difference. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your family, my goal is to help you feel grounded, capable, and supported as you work toward meaningful, lasting change.
Your first session with me is all about getting to know you in a way that feels comfortable, supportive, and pressure‑free. We start by talking about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope will feel different in your life. You don’t need to have the “perfect” words — I guide the conversation with gentle questions so you never feel lost or put on the spot. I’ll ask about your background, your strengths, and the challenges you’re facing right now. We’ll explore what’s been working for you, what hasn’t, and what you want to focus on moving forward. My approach is warm, down‑to‑earth, and collaborative, so you can expect a mix of listening, reflection, and practical guidance even in the first session. We also talk about what therapy will look like with me — the structure, the pace, and the types of tools or strategies that may be helpful for your goals. This is your space, so I encourage you to share what you need from me as a therapist, what helps you feel safe, and what style of support works best for you. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction, a better understanding of how we’ll work together, and a feeling of being heard and supported. My goal is for you to leave the first session feeling grounded, understood, and hopeful about the path ahead.
I bring a warm, grounded, and practical approach to therapy that helps clients feel safe, understood, and supported from the very first session. My strengths include being deeply attentive, easy to talk to, and skilled at breaking things down in a way that feels manageable rather than overwhelming. I’m both compassionate and structured, offering a balance of emotional support and real‑life tools you can use right away. My background in trauma‑informed care, CBT, DBT, and family‑systems work allows me to support clients with a wide range of needs, including anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, relationship stress, and neurodivergent experiences. What makes my approach unique is the way I blend clinical expertise with genuine human connection — I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface without judgment. My own life experiences, including growing up in a close family, navigating challenges with resilience, and learning the importance of communication and boundaries, shape the way I show up as a therapist. These experiences help me create a space that feels relatable, steady, and real. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I’m honest, supportive, and truly invested in their growth. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and capable as you move toward meaningful, lasting change.
I work best with clients who want a supportive, structured, and compassionate space to understand themselves more deeply and build practical tools for everyday life. Many of the individuals, couples, and families I serve come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. They are looking for clarity, emotional safety, and guidance that feels both validating and actionable. I am especially well‑suited for clients experiencing anxiety, overthinking, emotional dysregulation, low self‑esteem, trauma‑related symptoms, or stress from school, work, or major life transitions. I also support clients navigating relationship challenges, communication difficulties, or patterns that keep repeating despite their best efforts. I have a strong passion for working with neurodivergent clients, including those with ADHD, autism, sensory needs, or emotional regulation challenges, and I provide a space that is affirming, collaborative, and tailored to their strengths. The clients I serve often share a similar mindset: they want therapy that is warm, honest, and grounded in real‑life tools. They appreciate a therapist who is direct yet compassionate, who listens deeply, and who provides structure, skills, and clear guidance. They are open to learning about themselves, exploring new perspectives, and practicing strategies that support long‑term change. Their therapy goals often include building confidence, reducing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, strengthening communication, healing from past experiences, and creating healthier patterns and boundaries. Many want to understand why they feel the way they do and how to change it in a way that feels sustainable. My approach is trauma‑informed, strengths‑based, and practical. I help clients feel grounded, capable, and supported as they work toward meaningful, lasting change.
Other specialties
I identify as
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence‑based approach that helps people learn practical skills to manage overwhelming emotions, reduce stress, and improve communication. In our sessions, we focus on four key skill areas: Mindfulness: staying present and grounded Distress Tolerance: getting through tough moments without making things worse Emotion Regulation: understanding and managing strong feelings Interpersonal Effectiveness: communicating needs, setting boundaries, and improving relationships DBT is helpful for anyone who feels emotions intensely, struggles with stress, or wants healthier coping strategies. Together, we
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal‑focused approach that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. In our work together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, build healthier ways to cope, and practice new skills that support long‑term change. CBT teaches you how to: Notice patterns that contribute to stress, anxiety, or low mood Challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more balanced ones Build coping skills you can use in everyday situations Take small, meaningful steps toward the goals that matter to you CBT is structured, collaborative, and evidence‑based. It’s helpful for anxiety, depression, stress, low motivation, and anyone wanting clearer thinking and more effective coping tools. Together, we focus on skills you can use right away to feel more confident and in control.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling is a supportive, structured space where partners learn to communicate more effectively, understand each other’s needs, and strengthen their relationship. Our work focuses on helping both partners feel heard, respected, and connected while building practical tools to navigate challenges together. In sessions, we work on: Improving communication so each partner can express themselves clearly and listen with understanding Reducing conflict by learning healthier ways to manage disagreements Rebuilding trust and connection through empathy, accountability, and shared goals Strengthening teamwork so partners feel more aligned and supported
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a supportive space where families learn to communicate more effectively, understand each other’s experiences, and work through challenges together. Instead of focusing on just one person, we look at how the family functions as a whole and how each member can feel more connected, respected, and supported. In our sessions, we work on: Improving communication so everyone feels heard and understood Reducing conflict by building healthier ways to express needs and manage emotions Strengthening relationships between parents, children, and siblings Creating routines and strategies that support stability, cooperation, and emotional well‑being Building empathy so family members can better understand each other’s perspectives Family therapy is helpful during transitions, stress, conflict, or when a child or teen is struggling and the family wants tools to support them. Together, we create a safe, balanced environment where each member can grow, heal, and contribute to a healthier family dynamic.