Therapy Session in Florida

I’m a licensed mental health professional in North Carolina with over 10 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and adults move through life’s challenges with more clarity and confidence. My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and rooted in real-life understanding—not just clinical theory. I support clients facing stress, anxiety, emotional regulation struggles, self-esteem concerns, school or career challenges, and major life transitions. I provide a safe, supportive space for exploring difficult emotions and building the skills needed to navigate everyday life. When working with children and teens, I focus on helping them understand their feelings, build healthy coping skills, and communicate more effectively. I also work closely with caregivers and families, offering guidance, education, and support so they can better understand their child’s needs, strengthen communication at home, and feel more confident navigating challenges together. With adults, we explore patterns, build insight, and create practical strategies for healing and personal growth. Your experiences matter, and I’m here to support you with respect and care. You won’t get a one-size-fits-all approach from me. I blend practical tools with deep listening, trauma-informed care, and a strong belief in your ability to grow and heal. I work at your pace, and I honor the goals you bring to this space. Taking that first step toward change can feel heavy—but you don’t have to carry it alone. I’m here to walk beside you.

As a Licensed Clinician, I believe everyone has unique strengths. My role is to support children, adolescents, and adults in feeling understood, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges. Treatment is tailored to meet individual needs as we address concerns such as emotional regulation, anxiety, behavioral challenges, social difficulties, family transitions, and coping skills. The goal is to create actionable solutions together while building confidence and a path toward resilience. My approach is flexible, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based methodologies and therapeutic approaches.

Raquel Ralat Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Florida and a PhD candidate with extensive experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and community-focused practice. Originally from Puerto Rico, Raquel began her professional career in public service after earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice and serving nearly ten years with the Puerto Rico Police Department. This experience shaped her strong foundation in advocacy, crisis response, and work with high-risk and vulnerable populations. After relocating to Florida, Raquel transitioned into the mental health field, earning her degree in Clinical Social Work and obtaining licensure as an LCSW. She is also a professor at Ana G. Méndez University in Orlando, where she teaches Social Work courses and mentors future mental health professionals, integrating clinical practice with academic excellence. Raquel is certified in the management of domestic violence and sexual assault cases and brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective that blends criminal justice, clinical expertise, and trauma-informed care. She works with young adults, adults, and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, grief, emotional dysregulation, ADHD, bipolar disorder, anger management concerns, and major life transitions. Her clinical approach is compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-based. She utilizes trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the MATCH framework to support emotional regulation, resilience, and sustainable behavioral change. Raquel provides telehealth services in both English and Spanish (ofrezco terapia por telehealth en español), ensuring accessible and inclusive care. Known for her warm, respectful, and collaborative style, Raquel creates a supportive space where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered. She is deeply committed to helping individuals heal from past experiences, strengthen coping skills, and move toward emotional balance and improved quality of life.

I am a compassionate mental health counselor who graduated from Sacred Heart University with a Masters degree in Psychology, and from there attended the Yale Child Study Center to obtain my specialization certification in child/adolescent/family therapy! I am incredibly passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and adults/families as they navigate life's challenges. I particularly enjoy working with individuals that experience anxiety/depression, have experienced trauma, or who are currently in active eating disorder or have a history of eating disorders. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based practices - to ensure that each client feels heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgemental environment where individuals can explore their emotions, develop coping strategies, and build a stronger sense of self-worth! My ultimate goal is to help clients uncover their strengths, gain clarity, and create a strong path forward toward growth!

I believe that the foundation of effective therapy is a genuine connection. My openness, ability to listen deeply, and background in both education and clinical expertise allow me to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel truly heard. I approach each person as an individual with unique strengths, challenges, and goals, and I’m committed to walking alongside you in your growth.

Hello, I’m Melissa. My path to becoming a therapist was paved by my deep belief in the human capacity for transformation. I understand that for many, life has felt like a constant balancing act—especially for those who grew up "walking on eggshells." I offer more than just a clinical conversation; I provide a dynamic, safe, and insight-driven space where I help you tackle the root causes of trauma and addiction. I believe that healing isn't just a possibility; it is a path I build alongside you through evidence-based strategies and genuine connection. With a background that spans mental health, family systems, and addiction recovery, I bring a unique multidisciplinary lens to our work. I am dually licensed as an LMHC and LMFT to address both your individual and relational challenges, and as a Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP), I specialize in recovery and relapse prevention. I am also nationally recognized for excellence in clinical mental health counseling as an NCC and CCMHC. I choose to move past the traditional, detached therapist-client dynamic to look at how your past influences your present, help you identify the survival skills that no longer serve you, and work with you to replace them with lasting resilience. Whether we meet in person in Florida or via a secure virtual platform, my goal is to help you reclaim your narrative and thrive.

I am a bilingual Spanish–English psychoanalyst with over 25 years of experience in private practice. I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Buenos Aires and have been licensed by the State of Florida since 2000 (MH6221). I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples, offering thoughtful, ethical, and individualized care. I believe that while we cannot change what has happened, therapy can help us transform the way we relate to our experiences and find new ways to move forward. I am deeply committed to my work and to growing as a clinician, continually learning through courses, conferences, and ongoing professional development. I see therapy as a space of responsibility, choice, and hope. We are responsible for our decisions in life—especially the decision to take steps to relieve our suffering and create a better quality of life for ourselves.