LMHC, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
Welcome, I’m glad you’re here. My name is Cesia (Sonali) Gonzalez, and I’m a bilingual (Spanish/English) Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. For over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people of all ages as they navigate life’s challenges and work toward healing. I believe you already carry the strength within you to move forward, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. Together, we can explore your experiences, find new perspectives, and help you redefine yourself as a survivor rather than a victim of the past. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel understood, valued, and empowered to take the next steps toward healing and growth.
During our first session together, my main goal is to get to know you and better understand the reasons you are seeking counseling at this time. I will ask questions to learn about your values and what is most important to you as you begin this journey. We will also spend time identifying your goals for counseling. This allows us to make sure that our expectations are aligned and that the work we do together is meaningful and focused on what matters most to you. This initial session is the first step in creating a safe, supportive space where your story can be heard and where we can begin building the foundation for healing and growth.
My counseling work is grounded in a trauma-informed perspective. I use evidence-based approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients reprocess painful memories, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and build healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. These methods support clients in releasing what no longer serves them and creating space for greater peace, fulfillment, and connection. I recognize that not everyone is ready to revisit or reprocess difficult memories right away. Because of this, I follow each client’s pace, never rushing the process. My priority is to create a safe and supportive environment where trust, respect, and mutual understanding can develop. This foundation allows us to move through the work thoughtfully and effectively. Methods I Use • Trauma-Informed Care – Ensuring safety, trust, and empowerment throughout the therapeutic process. • EMDR – Helping the brain reprocess and integrate distressing memories so they no longer feel overwhelming. • TFCBT – Offering structured tools to reduce the impact of trauma, build coping skills, and strengthen resilience. • CBT Principles – Identifying and reshaping unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to support healthier coping and lasting change. • Person-Centered Approach – Honoring your values, strengths, and readiness as we work toward healing. Expected Results While each person’s journey is unique, many of my clients experience: • Relief from the emotional weight of past experiences • Greater self-awareness and self-compassion • Improved relationships with the people who matter most • A stronger sense of control, hope, and fulfillment in their daily lives Therapy is not about rushing to the finish line; it’s about walking alongside you, at your pace, to support meaningful and lasting change.
I am best positioned to serve individuals, couples, and families who are ready to take the courageous step of sharing aspects of themselves with the purpose of becoming a healthier, stronger version of who they are. My work is especially for those who want to release the weight that trauma, hardship, or painful life experiences have left behind, and who are open to exploring their wounds so they can live more fully in the present. Many people carry emotional pain for years before finding a safe space to begin letting it go. Therapy offers that space—a place where you don’t have to carry it all alone anymore. Together, we’ll work toward healing so that you can experience a greater sense of peace within yourself and a more connected, fulfilling relationship with the people you care about most. I use a person-centered approach, guided by trauma-informed principles such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). These evidence-based methods allow me to support adolescents, adults, couples, and families in moving through their pain and building resilience for the future.
I have over 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages who present with a wide range of mental health diagnoses. Throughout my practice, I have successfully utilized the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model to help clients recognize the power of their thoughts and the significant influence these thoughts have on their emotions and outlook. By addressing and reframing cognitive distortions, I support clients in developing healthier perspectives, fostering resilience, and cultivating a more hopeful view of their future.
As an EMDR trained clinician, I am passionate about working with clients who have experienced trauma. It is a privilege to support individuals as they uncover their inner strength, reprocess painful memories, and develop healthier narratives that allow them to redefine their past experiences. Witnessing this transformation and resilience is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma, using trauma-informed approaches to help them safely process and reframe their experiences. My work focuses on empowering individuals to build resilience, develop effective coping strategies, and transform traumatic memories into a narrative that fosters healing and growth.
I have over 20 years of experience incorporating faith-based approaches into my private practice. I have found that when clients draw upon their relationship with their Higher Power, they are often able to access profound strength, hope, and resilience. Witnessing how faith empowers clients to heal, grow, and embrace a renewed sense of purpose is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.
Having personally experienced grief and traumatic loss, I bring a deep level of empathy and sensitivity to my work with clients. These experiences have shaped my ability to support individuals in navigating the complex emotions that arise when grief is rooted in traumatic circumstances. In my practice, I help clients develop healthy coping strategies that allow them to process their loss, move toward acceptance, and find a renewed sense of meaning while honoring the memory of their loved one.