Norlan McKenzie
Norlan McKenzie
(she/her)
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with British Caribbean roots and from the tail end of the baby boomer generation, I have come to acknowledge the roller-coaster ride that life offers with numerous highs, lows, and constant cycles of new beginnings and closures. My career in the mental health profession began to take shape in 2012, which led me to secure a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the esteemed University of South Florida. Since 2014, my focus has been on supporting children, individuals, and families in Florida and the Caribbean. The unprecedented emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted our social lives drastically, prompting an increased need for virtual counseling. However, I managed to adapt to this change in my practice, thus registering continuous growth in the Telehealth space from then onward. My practice now serves the wider population.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, and throughout the therapeutic relationship, you will always be heard. Your thoughts and feelings will consistently be validated, and I will meet you where you're at in each and every session. My clients tend to leave their sessions feeling lighter and brighter, gaining new perspectives as they progress toward their goals.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
In addition to my education and commitment to lifelong learning, my personal experiences in my profession contribute greatly to how I engage in therapeutic relationships. I also prioritize cultural competence and have gained valuable insights through extensive travel, which has allowed me to immerse myself in various cultures and live within diverse communities.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I want to support you wherever you may be facing difficulties on this journey. With my background and your specific issues—be it anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm, anger, conflicts in relationships, or struggles with adapting to change—we can work together to identify and create effective tools and strategies to help you navigate this tough period or chapter of your life. This process hopefully will steer you back onto a path where you can pursue your goals. At times, you might simply need someone to listen and offer reflections as you work through your thoughts.
About Norlan McKenzie
I identify as
Serves ages
Licensed in
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Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I consider CBT to be one of the most effective approaches in my practice for addressing issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, and self-esteem. Clients actively work on recognizing and examining their core beliefs and thought processes that influence their emotions and actions. The therapeutic relationship focuses on strategies to reshape negative thoughts and promote positive feelings and behaviors. Clients are urged to apply the strategies they’ve learned in between sessions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is a method I use to support clients who experience strong emotions. Initially, I acknowledge and validate those feelings. Next, I share techniques that have proven effective in managing emotions, such as mindfulness, grounding exercises, enhancing emotional regulation abilities, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. Clients are urged to incorporate these strategies into their daily routines.
Grief Therapy
I frequently meet clients dealing with emotional challenges relating to grief, and finding it hard to adjust losing a loved one, experiencing anticipatory grief, or going through a significant life change or major event. By applying the Kubler-Ross Model integrating this with other approaches, I can assist clients in navigating their grief.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I am a compassionate and attentive listener. The Person-centered approach creates an environment where clients can express themselves openly and without judgment. Clients come into this space for support and guidance. My use of self will validate your emotions, listen, reflect, and present open-ended questions. Eventually, clients are able to find a way forward.
Psychodynamic
I employ the Psychodynamic approach to help clients in processing and understanding how their past experiences, often rooted in childhood trauma, may influence their current behaviors and self-identity. This has led to clients gaining greater self-awareness regarding their actions, thoughts, emotions, insights, and self-esteem.