Lawrence Devine Sr. is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Florida with a Master's in psychology from Carlos Albizu University, practicing psychotherapy for over 16+ years. Specializing in authenticity, humor, and compassion, he acknowledges the bravery in seeking support. Offering therapy to adults, seniors, adolescents, and the LGBTQ community, Lawrence has extensive experience in community mental health clinics, juvenile diversion programs, and residential programs.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the initial session, clients can expect an introduction to the therapist's background and therapeutic approach. Building rapport is prioritized to create a comfortable space for clients to share concerns and goals. The therapist engages in active listening while gathering information about the client's background, history, and current challenges through a series of questions. This information helps in forming a comprehensive understanding of the client's unique situation. Collaboratively, the therapist and client develop a treatment plan, discussing potential interventions, therapy goals, and session frequency. Clear explanations about confidentiality policies, including any mandated reporting requirements, and the establishment of professional boundaries are also part of the first session.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a psychotherapist, my greatest strengths include empathy, enabling me to understand and connect with clients, creating a safe space for exploration. I excel in active listening, honing in on both verbal and non-verbal cues to comprehensively understand clients' situations. Maintaining a non-judgmental attitude fosters client comfort and an open therapeutic environment. I prioritize professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines. With extensive knowledge and expertise in psychological theories and evidence-based practices, I offer effective interventions and strategies for problem-solving. Cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness guide my approach to meet the unique needs of individuals from various backgrounds. Lastly, my flexibility and adaptability allow me to tailor interventions to address specific challenges and facilitate positive change for each unique client.
About Lawrence Devine
Appointments
Free consults, virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
With 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical psychotherapist, my expertise lies in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. I employ a collaborative and present-focused approach, tailoring treatment plans to individuals' unique needs. Using CBT techniques like cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy, I assist clients in identifying and transforming negative thought patterns. Emphasizing the importance of building lasting coping skills, I view therapy as a means to equip clients with tools for daily life. By fostering a sense of control over thoughts and emotions, I aim to enhance self-efficacy and overall psychological well-being. My warm, empathic, and evidence-based approach has proven effective in helping individuals overcome challenges and move toward a more fulfilling life.
EMDR
I leverage EMDR as a potent tool for processing and resolving traumatic memories. Through a collaborative assessment, we identify target memories, employing sets of bilateral stimulation in sessions to activate natural neural processing mechanisms. This helps clients reframe traumatic memories, reducing distress and enhancing emotional well-being.
I prioritize a strong therapeutic alliance, ensuring clients feel safe and supported. Following a phased approach, I prepare clients, build coping skills, and address negative beliefs and emotions associated with trauma. Integrating other modalities based on individual needs, I maintain EMDR as the primary focus, fostering a holistic healing experience in a nurturing and non-judgmental space.
Eclectic
As a licensed clinical psychotherapist with a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and over sixteen years of diverse experience, I have received training in multiple evidence-based therapies, including CBT, Narrative Therapy, EMDR, ACT, Solution Focused, Internal Family Systems, and DBT. My approach involves tailoring therapy to each client's unique needs, employing an eclectic blend of therapeutic techniques and theories to facilitate meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. I believe in flexibility and creativity, adapting to individual situations and personalities.
In practice, I seamlessly integrate techniques from various modalities within a single session or across multiple sessions. For instance, when addressing anxiety, I might combine relaxation techniques from CBT with elements of ACT to help clients align with their values. I remain open to incorporating humanistic or psychoanalytic approaches when deemed beneficial for the client.
My overall philosophy centers on the belief that an eclectic approach optimally serves clients, allowing me to leverage a broad spectrum of tools and techniques to customize therapy for each individual.
Family Therapy
I, a psychotherapist, with over 20 years of experience, specializes in family therapy, addressing issues such as communication breakdowns, conflict resolution, and parenting challenges. Employing a collaborative and strength-based approach, I create a safe space for each family member. Utilizing various therapeutic modalities, including structural family therapy, emotionally focused therapy, communication skills training, narrative therapy, and mindfulness techniques, I tailor interventions to meet each family's unique needs. The goal is to understand roles and boundaries, strengthen emotional bonds, improve communication, reconstruct personal narratives, and promote emotional regulation. I emphasize ongoing support and follow-up, working closely with families to ensure long-term success and offering valuable contributions to the field of family therapy.
Gender-affirming therapy
As a licensed psychotherapist, with a Master's degree in mental health counseling and over 20 years of experience, I specialize in providing compassionate, affirming, and evidence-based therapy for clients exploring their gender identity. Remaining informed on the latest research in gender-affirming care, I adopt a client-centered and affirming approach, tailoring interventions to each individual's unique experience. Techniques include affirmation and validation, coping strategy development, education on gender identity, and family/relationship support. I am recognized for a compassionate and affirming style, prioritizing clients' unique needs, strengths, and goals to create a safe and empowering therapeutic environment, facilitating emotional well-being and self-acceptance throughout their gender journeys.
