Annemarie Balfanz
Annemarie Balfanz
(she/her)
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a brighter and healthier future! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) located in Florida with almost a decade of experience and a passion for helping others. Whether you're facing long-term trauma or just trying to get through the week, I’m here to help you make sense of things and move forward with more confidence and self-compassion. I am a native German speaker, so am more than willing to provide therapy in German as well, if requested. In my free time, I enjoy doing arts and crafts, traveling, and being in nature.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. It’s an introductory conversation where I’ll ask about what’s bringing you in, what you’d like support with, and what your goals might be. Most importantly, it’s also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of whether I’m the right fit for you—because feeling safe and understood is essential for this work to be effective.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am passionate about helping clients make sense of what they've been through and reconnect with who they want to become. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to hold space for people who have been through incredibly difficult, complex, or high-stakes experiences—without judgment, pressure, or pathologizing. In my practice, I utilize a trauma-informed, and systems-based approach, meaning that I do not only focus on my client’s symptoms, but also analyze how other factors such as the environment, childhood, relationships, medical health, etc. may be contributing to your mental health. I consider my creativity to be another strength of mine, and enjoy incorporating art, crafts, and nature into my treatment (only if it aligns with my client’s interests as well, of course). I also like to include mindfulness-based and holistic approaches into my practice, because I recognize the crucial connection between body and mind, and always aim to support the "whole" person that my client is. I never apply any treatment in a one-size-fits-all way, because every client is an individual being with individual strengths and needs. Therefore, I collaborate with each client to find what feels most supportive, actionable, and aligned with their values.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My dream client is someone who is motivated to make a positive change in their lives. I specialize in trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, and family/relationship dysfunction. I have a deep understanding of how trauma shows up not just in our minds, but in our bodies, relationships, and survival strategies. I understand that healing doesn’t happen in isolation—and it doesn’t happen when you feel judged, rushed, or misunderstood. I approach therapy as a collaborative process grounded in safety, trust, and respect.
About Annemarie Balfanz
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
In my practice, I use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to gently help children, teens, and their caregivers process painful experiences in a way that fosters healing, resilience, and hope. I approach this work with deep empathy and without judgment and always make sure that my clients feel safe, seen, and supported. TF-CBT allows us to move at your pace, integrating coping skills, emotional regulation, and gradual narrative work to reduce the weight of trauma, not by reliving it, but by reshaping how it shows up in daily life. My goal is to make this journey one that affirms your strength rather than focuses on what’s “wrong,” and to hold space for healing without shame.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is the foundation of how I show up for every client I work with. I understand that behaviors, emotions, and struggles often make perfect sense in the context of what someone has been through. Rather than asking “what’s wrong with you,” I focus on “what happened to you—and how has that shaped how you protect yourself today?” I create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered. My work is guided by compassion and a deep respect for your resilience. Together, we build trust and explore what healing can look like without pressure or judgment—because healing shouldn’t feel like another thing you have to survive.
Attachment-based
I use an attachment-based approach to help clients understand how early relationships may shape how they relate to others—and themselves—today. Together, we explore these patterns with compassion, in order to rebuild a sense of safety, trust, and connection.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
In mindfulness-based therapy, I help clients gently reconnect with the present moment, especially when thoughts or emotions feel overwhelming. We use simple, grounding practices to build awareness and self-compassion—without judgment. This approach helps create space between what you feel and how you respond, supporting healing with calm, clarity, and choice.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected—and how small shifts can lead to meaningful change. Even when things feel overwhelming, CBT offers practical tools to help you feel more in control, more confident, and more hopeful. Together, we explore new ways of thinking that support healing, growth, and the life you want to build—all at your pace, with encouragement and without judgement.