Blue Cross Blue Shield Therapists in Florida

Finding therapists who take Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), whether through online therapy or in-person near you, can make getting mental health care more accessible and cost-effective. With 910 verified therapists in Florida who accept BCBS, you can filter by therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy to address issues like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other concerns. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist who takes Blue Cross Blue Shield listed below is currently welcoming new clients and has availability within the next 30 days, providing you with timely, quality support that fits within your BCBS coverage.

Find therapists near you in

MiamiJacksonvilleOrlandoTampa

Availability updated: 7/15/2025

Betsy Bernbaum

Betsy Bernbaum, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hi my name is Betsy and I have been working as a therapist for 6 years now. I am a licensed clinical social worker and I obtained my master of social work degree from Fordham University. I enjoy helping others and have worked with various clients of all different ages and backgrounds. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia.

Deborah Hilyard

(she/her)

Deborah Hilyard, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
32 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have been practicing for over 30 years. I received my masters in counseling at the University of Memphis. I worked with college students while getting my masters with personal career counseling. After becoming licensed in Florida, I worked specifically with service members and their families with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, spouse and child abuse and marital issues. During the past 3 years I have worked with young adults to retired adults addressing individual, work and family issues. It has been my pleasure to guide hundreds of people to a healthier, happier life style that enables them to do what they want to in life without what appears to be impossible barriers like depression, stress and anxiety.

Stephanie Bardales

(she/her)

Stephanie Bardales, LMFT - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMFT
8 years of experience
Virtual
Greetings! Bienvenido! Let's take a moment to reflect on the courage it takes to begin therapy. You are brave. Change is hard, but the rewards of healing from distress, trauma and internal pain are powerful. As are you! I have experience helping people with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, bereavement, loss, family/relationship conflicts, self-harm, anger management, parenting, child welfare system, foster care, adoption, school transitions, divorce, abortion, survivors of narcissism, career changes, stigmatized experiences and other major life changes. I can assist you identify patterns and help break the multigenerational trauma cycle and create new patterns to help you find fulfillment in your life. I love working with people from all ages and walks of life. We will work at your pace and challenge you when you are ready. I am happy to make accommodations as requested. I will ensure you have a safe space to process and complete the work that needs to be done to make therapy successful. Non-traditional beliefs, ideas, and experiences are welcomed to be explored without judgment or pressure to conform. In fact, some the most rewarding therapy sessions for my clients have been discussing unique philosophies that are contrary to popular opinion and culture. I pride myself in maintaining a strong work ethic, staying well organized, focused and applying strong self-care interventions. I work 4 jobs, 7 days a week, morning until night. I will do my absolute best to ensure our sessions begin and end on time. However, due to the nature of this career, there are occassions where I may be delayed with another person to evaluate for additional interventions (therapists are mandated reporters in Florida). Please keep this in mind when considering mental health services. If delays do occur, I apologize in advance. I will make sure you receive the best therapeutic services possible.

Daniel Celmer

Daniel Celmer, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
10 years of experience
Virtual
I’m a human first and a therapist second. I believe in showing up authentically, because real connection is what helps people heal. I care deeply about creating space for people to feel safe, heard, and respected. I don’t pretend to have all the answers—but I know how to walk beside you as you find your own. Who I am is someone who believes in your ability to grow, even when things feel messy.

Melissa Wood

Melissa Wood, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
14 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Melissa Wood and I have been working in the mental health field since 2022. For many years, I worked with clients face-to-face and transitioned to virtual sessions only, one year ago. I have additional training in many areas, with extensive training focused in trauma. I find it a privilege to work with clients and have them open up and share.

Bryan Llorente

Bryan Llorente, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, my name is Bryan, I am a licensed clinical social worker and have experience working in several clinical and therapeutic settings. I started my career working for Advent Health Hospice Care, one of the largest non-profit hospital systems in the country. Through this position I gained experience in providing therapeutic counseling services to individuals and families who are going through major transitional periods in their lives (receiving a terminal illness, death of loved one, living adjustments etc.) As a result I am well experienced in dealing with depression, anxiety, situational stress, loss of a loved one, grief, and am understanding of how medical issues can affect a person’s mental health. I have also worked for Orlando Health at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies covering the ED/Triage, antepartum and postpartum units of the hospital. This position gave me experience with providing crisis interventions and psychotherapeutic counseling to patient's who have a history of severe mental health issues, or who are actively experiencing medical emergencies, traumatic events, domestic violence, manic/depressive episodes, psychotic episodes, and suicidal ideations. In addition, I provided education on post partum depression and child care. In 2021 I began teaching classes as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Central Florida's College of Health Professions and Sciences. I have also worked for the National Suicide Prevention Line where I learned how to deal with a variety of mental health and emotional crisis situations over the phone. I feel well equipped to help my clients deal with a variety of issues, weather in person, or online. I take an objective and collaborative approach to understanding problems, and work with clients to create strategies to address problems head on so that clients learn the skills necessary to achieve their goals.

Alex Vis

Alex Vis, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
8 years of experience
Virtual
I am a farm boy from Minnesota who, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and losing a career in banking, suffered and endured a few years of physical and emotional health instability. My own journey of having my story and heart cared for by a compassionate yet sturdy mentor and friend led me to reconnect with a desire to help people, a desire that I had some knowledge of but had not yet cultivated. My wife and I met during my career transition, and after enduring infertility treatments we adopted 2 boys, whom I am daily delighted by. My story is messy and beautiful, and my ability to own my insecurities, weaknesses, and failures has led me to know a strength that I did not know existed before. I want to help others experience the kind of sturdiness that I know operate with, at least most of the time!

Faryal Choudry

Faryal Choudry, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
1 year of experience
Virtual
I’m a Licensed Social Work Counselor. I graduated from Columbia University. I also have training in Applied Behavioral Analysis. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, disordered eating, depression, and substance use. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and holistic. I utilize evidence-based practices, including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, psychodynamic, somatic, Adlerian, and Gestalt therapies, to support healing, self-awareness, and growth—mind, body, and spirit.

Eyleen Gonzalez

(she her)

Eyleen Gonzalez, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, and welcome! I am License Mental Health Counselor in Florida and I’m glad you’re here. With over 15 years of experience in neuropsychological testing, diagnosis, and therapy, I am deeply committed to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges. My goal is to support you in becoming the best version of yourself, fostering growth, resilience, and well-being. Together, we’ll work toward understanding and overcoming obstacles, creating a path toward healing and fulfillment. I look forward to being part of your journey!

Vicki Bauer

Vicki Bauer, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
39 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm Vicki, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Behavior Analyst. Are you struggling with problems that have a negative impact on your quality of life? Tired of trying to figure out how to change things on your own? I would love to work with you to help you sort through those things that are keeping you from living the life you want to enjoy. I enjoy the art of applying a unique blend of mental health and behavioral approaches to life's problems. I love supporting motivated individuals to identify those areas of their lives that are standing in the way of experiencing the high quality life they want and deserve. Whether you're dealing with relationship issues, family issues, overwhelm, anxiety or depression, I am here to help you identify what's not working in your life and get you to a place of balance and inner calm. Together, we can create a safe space for you to share and develop new skills. As we work together, I can provide you with research- and evidence-based tools and techniques to address those problematic life areas. I look forward to working together!

Kate Jaramillo

Kate Jaramillo, LMFT - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMFT
16 years of experience
Virtual
I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with nearly 15 years of experience working with youth, adolescents, adults, and families to improve their mental health. I specialize in addressing issues related to trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship issues, parenting issues, and more. I earned my Master's degree Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Thomas University. I also completed a certification in loss and healing and a certification in trauma as well as two additional years of post-graduate study, passed the advanced national clinical board, and gained my professional license in the state of Florida afterward. I have chosen to continue my education by taking hundreds of hours of additional courses in the neurobiology of trauma, grief and loss, abuse recovery, child development, parenting, and communication. We all encounter obstacles in our lives. I am confident that I will be able to assist you on this journey providing you with enlightenment and new techniques that will enable you to be able to cope with whatever challenges or obstacles you may be facing in life. If you are wanting to embark on this new journey, schedule an appointment with me today!

Dr. Clay Connelly

(he/him)

Dr. Clay Connelly, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I'm Clay. I am here to help you better yourself as a whole, through an integrated therapeutic process. I have extensive experience in helping clients with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, anger, marital problems, burnout, insomnia, and many more. We'll address the needs of your mind, body, and spirit. Seeking therapy can be intimidating, but if you're reading this, you've already made a great decision in the first step of your journey of healing. Let's work on this together! Looking forward to helping you grow, Clay

Eduardo W. Gonzalez

Eduardo W. Gonzalez, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
20 years of experience
Virtual
Welcome! I’m Eduardo W. Gonzalez, LMHC, with over 20 years of experience. I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and have a passion for helping adults and kids overcome anxiety and depression, behavioral problems as ADHD, defiance and anger. My approach is personalized and rooted in the latest research, designed to help you gain the tools and confidence to face life’s challenges. When you visit me, we'll develop a personalized plan just for you. Together we'll write down what you want to achieve, how we'll accomplish that, and just how long it will take to get there. Don't wait any longer! Call today and let's do it.

Tahaji Smith

(she/her)

Tahaji Smith, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
2 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Tahaji Smith. I am currently an MSW graduate, and an LCSW with 20+ years of public service experience. Previously, I worked for 17 years as an Emergency Public Safety Communications Operator for one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the nation, but I decided to pursue a career doing what I love…helping others become the best version of themselves.

Rebecca Montrose

(she/her)

Rebecca Montrose, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida. I graduated with my Masters from Florida State University in 2019, but I have been working in the social work field 10 years. I have worked with young children all the way up to adults with dementia related illnesses and their caregivers. I love to help children and teenagers be able to tell their story, to get to know and love themselves, and to learn to advocate for themselves.

Amy Hutchinson

Amy Hutchinson, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
3 years of experience
Virtual
I am here to walk alongside you on your journey to heal and improve your mental health. With a warm, client-centered approach, I specialize in solution-focused therapy to help clients identify strengths, develop coping strategies, and achieve meaningful change. My approach is collaborative and fosters meaningful change and resilience in children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I am also EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) trained and incorporate trauma-informed care into my practice, helping individuals process past experiences that may be impacting their present. My work draws on a range of evidence-based techniques tailored to each client's needs, whether they are navigating relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, grief, or life transitions.

Shirley Barthelemy

Shirley Barthelemy, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
12 years of experience
Virtual
My passion is to work with women and their families to help them discover new possibilities and purpose throw empowerment and self-discovery, despite what they may have experienced emotionally, mentally and physically. My goal to create an environment where they feel safe and accepted. My goal is to help women and their families learn how to navigate through life transitions and cope with change in a healthy way.

Ginny Rexroat

(she/her)

Ginny Rexroat, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hello and Welcome! First, I want to thank you. It took a lot for you to seek a therapist in the first place. Just admitting to yourself that you're not feeling your best is difficult, but congratulations, you've made it past your first step! Asking for help can be hard for some people, so thank you for seeing something in me that makes you more comfortable taking your next step. Whatever brought you here, I want you to know that you are not alone and I will walk with you on this journey. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I grew up in a family of social workers which led me to the field. I grew up going to the nursing home my mom worked in as a geriatric social worker. Two of my mothers sisters were social workers and my great aunt was a therapist for delinquent teens. I have always had the instinct to help others and as I grew up I found that many people felt comfortable sharing things with me that they usually would say they never talked about. My amazement at the amount of traumatized people there were in my life turned into a fascination with the workings of the mind and body. My need to help others turned into a BSW, then an MSW, to an LCSW. Years went into study and licensing but still the subject does not bore me. I am excited to share what I have experienced and what I have learned while adapting the concepts to help others in the specific ways they need. We are all continuously learning and growing. I am excited to learn and grow with you as we discover how we will work best in the therapeutic environment together.

Wanda Barnes

(she/her)

Wanda Barnes, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
20 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Wanda Barnes, I am a licensed mental health therapist LMHC in Florida and a licensed professional counselor (LPC), in the State of Maine. I started working in substance abuse at 17 years old driving the bus that took clients to AA/NA. Many years later I am still passionate about working with those who struggle with addiction of any kind or those who love them. I also worked 9 years with children and families in schools and foster care. Later I opened and operated a mental health clinic in Florida.

Jed Shlackman, M.S. Ed.

(he/him)

Jed Shlackman, M.S. Ed., LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
26 years of experience
Virtual
Jed Shlackman, M.S. Ed., LMHC provides a variety of individual, family, and group counseling and healing services. Jed combines traditional humanistic and cognitive oriented psychotherapy approaches with holistic guidance and advanced mind-body and energetic healing methods (such as hypnotherapy, meditation, Reiki, mindfulness, energy psychology, emotional release, trauma healing, sound healing) that can foster deep healing and more rapid transformation - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Jed has worked as a counselor for over 25 years and has trained in a wide spectrum of counseling and healing methods. Jed provides a client-centered approach that seeks to identify which resources will best support the client and promote well-being and solutions that truly enhance life and build resilience. Jed is a native of South Florida and studied psychology and counseling at the University of Miami. While beginning his career providing counseling for children and adolescents and their families Jed went through a process of spiritual exploration and self-discovery that led to subsequent training in hypnotherapy, Reiki and energy healing, energy psychology, meditation, sound healing, trauma healing, and other complementary and alternative healing methods. Jed is also an author, with books available on Amazon, and is an amateur musician performing as "Jedi Shaman." Jed provides counseling and healing services with a holistic orientation, which refers to addressing the "whole" person and the systems and environments the person is a part of. This approach incorporates cognitive, humanistic, family systems, and psychodynamic therapies as well as transpersonal psychological therapies, hypnosis, energy psychology, expressive therapies, mind-body healing modalities, and vibrational/energetic healing approaches, as well as somatic therapies and addressing biological systems with herbs, essential oils, diet, and nutritional interventions. As a multi-talented, compassionate counselor with extensive knowledge and diverse experience Jed provide comprehensive healing services and collaboration with clients.

Nicholas Kolos

(he/him)

Nicholas Kolos, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hello my name is Nicholas Kolos. I am a licensed mental health counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist. I love my profession and look forward to helping my clients achieve their individual goals. I get excited when I see clients with unrealized potential and then help them become the best version of themselves! I love to help those who are struggling in their personal or work relationships learn how to better communicate their needs and improve the quality of those relationships! I tailor my treatment plans to best help each individual case achieve success!

Yeney Ruiz

Yeney Ruiz, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
12 years of experience
Virtual
Hello there! My name is Yeney Ruiz, I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Florida. I speak English and Spanish, and I have over 10 years of clinical experience in different settings such as department of Veterans affairs, the emergency department, department of Children and Families, AIDS healthcare foundation, Assisted Living, home health, skilled nursing home, housing authority, dialysis/renal patient care, case management, elementary, high school and other settings. My field and clinical experience have helped me build a strong background working with a diverse population. I have my Bachelor’s and master’s in social work, and I am looking forward to working in collaboration with you and helping you gain your strength back so that you can continue with your beautiful journey in this life. My goal as a therapist is to help you and my approach is to work in collaboration with you. We will work together to create healthy coping skills and we will use different tools and strategies created to gain strength, motivation, self-confidence, self-esteem and we will work together in a safe environment to achieve the best results for you as a client. I am pleased to know that you have decided to seek therapy! Life can be very challenging at times and sometimes we need to talk to someone that understands us and helps us get back to our stable/normal self. I hope I can be part of this part of your healing journey.

Kassiana Casimir

(she/her)

Kassiana Casimir, LMHC - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMHC
8 years of experience
Virtual
My name is Kassiana Casimir, and I hold a Master of Science in Counselor Education. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in Florida. I support individuals in managing emotional regulation, improving relationships, and navigating life transitions. I use evidence-based, culturally sensitive approaches to help clients gain insight, heal, and build healthier coping strategies in a safe, supportive environment.

Velma Stevens

(she/her)

Velma Stevens, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
28 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, My name is Velma Penermon Stevens, therapist with Soulistic Counseling and Therapeutic Services, LLC.. I am a licensed therapist (LCSW-QS) in the state of Florida. I attended Florida A&M University for undergraduate school then I went on to obtain my MSW degree from Florida State University. I have over 25 years working in the not for profit sector and 10 years in pastoral care. It is these work experiences where I gained my passion to help others, leading me to open my own private practice agency.

Makisha Brown-Harp

(she/her)

Makisha Brown-Harp, LCSW - Florida Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCSW
7 years of experience
Virtual
Whether it be therapy, counseling, guidance, coaching, or the need for connection that influenced your search for services, I’m glad you did it and am looking forward to assisting you as you create your version of a life worth living. For many people and for different reasons, it’s hard to say you want help much less take the steps to find it and I commend you, genuinely for taking the initiative to do so. With your perseverance and my understanding of behavior change, insight development, and skill building; you will be successful in achieving your goals. My approach to improving mental health is aided by a thorough understanding of acute, chronic, and situational mental illnesses as well as experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of diverse populations including working professionals, LGBTQIA, students, and communities of color. I specialize in the treatment of personality disorders, trauma, and suicide prevention. I am certified in several psychotherapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. I also utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness practices. I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master of Social Work from Saint Leo University. I have gained my current knowledge from working with community, private, medical, and school mental health services. Looking forward to working with you. I am currently accepting new clients. If for some reason you can't book an appointment or schedule, please call the new client booking team at (646) 687 9932. If you would like to work with myself and need to request sliding scale information, please book your first appointment via cash pay. Appointments are paid for following completion. Sliding scale fees can be discussed prior to this.

Frequently asked questions

Why filter by Florida rather than a city like Tampa?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across Florida from Miami to Jacksonville! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in Florida.

Will my therapist take Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Yes! If you use Blue Cross Blue Shield you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Blue Cross Blue Shield you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.