Hi! I am Dr. Barnes Marrero, licensed psychologist / Clinical Neuropsychologist, providing culturally informed psychological and neuropsychological evaluations in English and Spanish to adult and older adults from Florida. Know that I am here to support you. It’s my priority to make you feel at ease. It can feel scary to sit for an assessment. Feeling anxious, unsettled, or nervous about the process is normal. Testing can sometimes feel like a cold process. I promise, there’s nothing to be afraid of. It is not like school—there are no right or wrong answers; it is not a pass-or-fail situation. Instead, it’s a way to gain a comprehensive understanding of what you’re going through. I will meet you genuinely interested in where you’ve been and what’s happening. You will experience a YOU-centered judgment-free space. I hope my easygoing and friendly nature makes you comfortable.

I’ve been passionate about psychology since I was eighteen, when I began studying it in Cuba. My mother once told me she had always dreamed of being a psychologist but had to follow another path—and that dream inspired my own. After completing my degree in Cuba, where I worked in inpatient and school settings, I continued my journey in the United States and earned my master’s degree in psychology. Over the years, I’ve worked with children, families, and adults through moments of crisis, grief, and major life transitions. My experience with multidisciplinary teams has taught me to see each person as a whole—emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially. Healing happens when we look at the full picture of someone’s life, not just their symptoms.

I'm a seasoned Licensed Therapist with over 20 years of experience, passionately transforming negative thinking into positive mindsets. My greatest strengths lie in empathy and active listening, ensuring clients feel truly understood and supported. I tailor evidence-based strategies to empower individuals on their unique journey to mental wellness. As a mindset influencer, I create a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients are comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. Committed to providing the highest quality care, I continuously strive to foster personal growth and resilience in every client, turning challenges into opportunities for transformation and empowerment.

FREE consultations! Are you feeling stuck in negative thoughts, intense emotions, or behavioral patterns that don't serve your best interest? Are you hoping to build more meaning and joy in your life? You may feel hesitant about reaching out for help, especially with pressure from all directions to "have it all together". I'm here to join you on this journey to discover healing and build a balanced life. My goal is to help you find compassion for yourself, develop skills to help you navigate life stressors, and be confident in the resilient person you are.

Life isn’t easy—especially when you’ve always been the strong one everyone else depends on. From the outside, you may look like you’re holding it all together, but inside you feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, anxious, or disconnected from yourself. If you’ve spent so much time taking care of everyone else that you’ve forgotten what it feels like to care for yourself, you’re not alone. I’m Melanie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida. I specialize in working with teens, young adults, and women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. My passion is helping people move beyond survival mode, quiet overthinking, regulate intense emotions, heal from past experiences, and rebuild trust in themselves. My approach is warm, compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and EMDR to help you better understand yourself while creating meaningful, lasting change. I believe therapy isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about reconnecting with the version of yourself that existed before anxiety, self-doubt, or past experiences convinced you otherwise. Together, we’ll create a space where you can feel seen, supported, challenged, and empowered as you build healthier patterns, stronger relationships, and a life that feels more authentic. You don’t have to carry everything by yourself anymore.

I have lived a long and colorful life. Like everyone else, I've made good and bad choices and learned from each. I have 22+ years experience in the mental health and substance abuse treatment field. I DO NOT JUDGE, AT ALL, PERIOD. I can be both blunt and gentle as appropriate. My role is to offer another perspective, a way to see life more fully and function better, no more, no less. I don't pretend to have all the answers but only one slice of wisdom. I just share what can help someone. Some people are not yet ready to be helped. Yet for those who are feeling lost on life's journey and are willing to listen and learn, I'm here to assist. My life work can be summed up in three words, "offering people hope. " "The wound is where the light enters." - Jeladdin Rumi "A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only once." Martin Luther King Jr. "Wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now." - Maya Angelou "The past is gone, and there is left only a blessing." - Kahlil Gibran "Be true to yourself, and you will be false to no one else." - William Shakespeare "How very lucky are we, for just a moment to be, part of life's eternal rhyme." Charlotte's Web, movie "Not all who wander are lost." J.R.R. Tolkien