Parenting Counseling

Nice to meet you!

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Qualified Supervisor Director

My passion for helping couples and families extends beyond my clinical practice. I actively participate in community outreach programs, workshops, and speaking engagements.

I work in Virtual

My hourly rate is: $185 for individuals and $235 for couples

My specialties are:
Couples and marriage therapy Family Counseling, Counseling for children ages five and up, teens, and adolescents, Counseling for women, Parenting & co-parenting Issues, ADHD/Executive function counseling, Anxiety Grief, Trauma, Life transitions

Let’s get to know each other!

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor driven by a passion to help individuals, couples, and families thrive through therapy. With over 16 years of experience, I have a genuine commitment to helping my clients navigate through challenges and struggles and to foster strong and loving relationships.

I work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families from all walks of life. Everyone is welcome in my office, regardless of their race, culture, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. My goal is to be a safe space for everyone.

I am a proud mother of three children, giving me a unique perspective and first-hand knowledge of the difficulties of balancing parenthood with personal and professional responsibilities.

I spent much of my early career helping children and currently incorporate play and art therapy with my younger clients.

Utilizing play and art in therapy provide powerful avenues for children to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe and creative manner. Through play, children can freely express themselves, develop problem-solving skills, and gain a sense of control. Incorporating art-based techniques into therapy to facilitate emotional expression allows them to communicate non-verbally, using colors, shapes, and symbols to express their inner world. Both modalities help children process trauma, develop social and emotional skills, enhance self-esteem, and foster resilience. Creating a supportive and nurturing environment empowers children to find their voice, heal, and thrive, unlocking their full potential for growth and well-being.

When it comes to couples and families, I use a holistic and systemic approach, guiding couples and families toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships. I understand that each individual’s well-being is intricately connected to the dynamics within their relationships and family system. Drawing upon evidence-based practices and tailored interventions, I help my clients navigate conflicts, improve communication, strengthen emotional bonds, and develop effective coping strategies.

My passion for helping couples and families extends beyond my clinical practice. I actively participate in community outreach programs, workshops, and speaking engagements. I am extensively involved in the Greek Community and my church and have recently been quoted in numerous Newsweek articles where I have given my perspective as a licensed therapist.

As a Qualified Supervisor Director at McNulty Counseling, I am using my passion and experience to supervise interns and mentor the next generation of mental health counselors.

A bit more about me…

Specialized Areas of Focus for Couples and Families

Throughout my career, I have gained expertise in addressing a wide range of issues that commonly impact couples and families. My areas of focus include:

1. Communication Challenges: I recognize communication’s crucial role in maintaining healthy relationships. I help couples and families develop practical communication skills, fostering an open, empathetic dialogue that promotes understanding and emotional connection.

2. Conflict Resolution: I support couples and families in navigating conflict constructively. By providing a safe and neutral environment, I can facilitate the exploration of underlying issues, encourage empathy, and help develop strategies for peaceful resolution.

3. Intimacy and Sexual Concerns: I understand the complex dynamics surrounding intimacy and sexuality within relationships. This is a non-judgmental and supportive space for couples to explore their concerns, deepen emotional and physical intimacy, and address issues related to desire, satisfaction, and compatibility.

4. Parenting and Blended Families: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by parents and blended families, I offer guidance in navigating co-parenting, step-parenting, and family integration. I am here to help families establish healthy boundaries, manage conflicts, and foster a sense of cohesion and harmony.

5. Life Transitions and Adjustments: I also assist couples and families in navigating significant life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or the birth of a child. I provide support and guidance during these pivotal moments, helping individuals and families adapt, grow, and build resilience.

Incorporating play and art-based techniques into therapy

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of art and play therapy to help children express themselves, heal, and grow. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact these therapeutic modalities can have on young minds, and it is truly a privilege to facilitate this process.

Incorporating art-based techniques into therapy to facilitate emotional expression allows children to communicate and process their thoughts, emotions, and experiences nonverbally. Through various artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and collage, children can freely express themselves and create tangible representations of their inner world. Creating art becomes a language that transcends words, enabling children to explore and make sense of their feelings, memories, and challenges.

During therapy sessions where art is incorporated, I provide a safe and nurturing space where children can freely explore their creativity. I encourage them to express their thoughts and emotions using colors, shapes, and symbols. Through gentle guidance and support, I help them interpret and reflect on their artwork, encouraging self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional healing.

Play therapy, on the other hand, allows children to naturally engage in their most natural form of communication: play. Play is a child’s language, and through various play techniques, I create an environment where children can freely express their thoughts, fears, desires, and conflicts. Through imaginative play, storytelling, and role-playing, children can explore different scenarios, problem-solving skills, and develop a sense of agency and control over their experiences.

In play therapy sessions, I provide a wide range of toys, games, and props that encourage creativity and imagination. I observe and interact with the child, joining them in their play and providing gentle guidance when necessary. By building a trusting therapeutic relationship, I create a safe space where children feel comfortable exploring and expressing their innermost thoughts and emotions.

Both art and play in therapy sessions allow children to externalize and process their experiences in a developmentally appropriate manner. They enable children to explore complex emotions, resolve conflicts, and develop coping strategies. These therapeutic approaches can help children build self-esteem, enhance problem-solving skills, regulate emotions, and improve communication and social skills.

It is an incredible privilege to witness the transformative power of art and play therapy in the lives of the children I work with, and I am truly honored to be a part of their journey toward healing and growth. I aim to empower children to discover their strengths, develop resilience, and navigate life’s challenges. Through these expressive modalities, children can find their voice, heal from trauma, and create a greater self-understanding and emotional well-being.

ADHD and Executive Functioning

I am highly passionate about helping those with ADHD, and there are many ways that therapy can benefit those with this diagnosis.

I help individuals develop essential skills such as time management, organization, planning, and impulse control through tailored interventions and strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist in identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and improving self-regulation. Additionally, I provide a safe space for exploring emotional and social difficulties associated with ADHD, offering coping mechanisms and social skills training. Therapy empowers individuals to understand their strengths, embrace challenges, and implement practical tools to manage ADHD symptoms, fostering self-confidence, improved focus, and overall well-being.

I received my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University Sarasota in May 2007.

I began my career by becoming a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate working with children at a shelter for children and teens. I continued my practicum as a crisis counselor for victims of trauma. My supervisor was one of the first to implement Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into practice and also trained me in DBT. I later worked as the primary therapist for a residential facility, running daily social skills groups for the three cottages that housed dozens of children and teens.

I have been in private practice since beginning with McNulty Counseling in 2018.

I have used my experiences growing up in a family business and helping my husband’s business to incorporate executive, business, and life coaching into my practice at McNulty Counseling. I have made several appearances on NBC’s Bloom as a Mental Health Expert, and I am a Newsweek Mental Health Contributor with many articles in the U.S. and Europe that have also been translated and published in both Latin America and Asia.

I am the Clinical Supervisor at McNulty Counseling and oversee interns working towards licensure. I utilize the Integrated Developmental Model of Supervision that combines the clinician’s skills and the clinician’s experience to have the intern reach optimum levels of autonomy and competency.

My Fun Facts:

I have been the Greek Dance Director at my church for over 30 years. I have taught hundreds of students and performed with my group for decades.

I served on the board of the Pancyprian Association for Refugees from the island of Cyprus, where my family is from. I planned many events that involved working with Congress and other government officials both here and overseas on refugee issues. I received an honorary award from the Pancyprian Association for my work with the organization.

I have three wonderful children – two are in college, and one is in high school.

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Nice to meet you!

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Certified EMDR Therapist

My specialties are:

• Relationship patterns & communication
• Life transitions (including divorce and major life shifts)
• Trauma & PTSD
• Anxiety & emotional overwhelm
• Marriage & Relationship Issues
• EMDR Intensives
• Couples Intensives

Let’s get to know each other!

A bit more about me…

My Fun Facts:

Not Ready to Schedule Yet?

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Nice to meet you!

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Guardian Ad Litem

When I’m asked, “Why do you do what you do?” If you envision your life as a puzzle, with all the pieces as facets of your life, and suddenly one day that puzzle shatters because you are struggling with something. I get to assist my clients with putting their puzzle back together again. I have an opportunity to inspire hope, and in doing so, I get to change lives.

I work in Sarasota, St. Pete – Downtown, Virtual

My hourly rate is: $185

My specialties are:
Individual therapy (18 +), Anxiety Disorders, Grief, Depression, Divorce/Separation, Relationship Issues, Self-Esteem, Parent/Child Relationships, Setting Healthy Boundaries, Stress Reduction, Life Transition, Walk and Talk Therapy and Telehealth

Let’s get to know each other!

Your mental health is determined not only by the number of great moments and milestones we experience but also by how we manage through the more difficult ones. I directly equip my clients with practical strategies for coping, healing, and creating balance. My goal for my clients is to be the best version of themselves and create life-giving moments. I typically combine CBT with holistic psychology as an approach to therapy. Cultivating mindfulness, expressing gratitude, and changing the negative thought-habit loop while encouraging lifestyle changes and healing past hurts are just a few ways to re-balance your life. Because I am so active and enjoy being in nature, I also offer my clients Therapy in Motion or Walk and Talk therapy. It’s a great way to get a daily workout while receiving the powerful benefits of therapy and nature. Clients report an elevated mood and sense of well-being when we take our therapeutic session outside and walk!!

A bit more about me…

I graduated from USF, receiving both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. I’ve been serving my clients and students for over 25 years. Initially, I was a Certified Guidance Counselor for the state of Florida, grades K-12. I served over 18 years as a Guidance Counselor in both the public and private schools in Pinellas County.

I was a lead member of the County Crisis Team, where I utilized crisis counseling techniques in dealing with trauma, sudden deaths, and suicides, and I still serve as an active Crisis Counselor. I volunteer as a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court system, where I advocate for the best interest of abused, abandoned, and neglected children. I am a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the American Psychological Association.

I have served in various capacities at The Alpha House and passionately support charities such as the Children’s Dream Fund, St. Vincent De Paul, HEP (Homeless Empowerment Program) and Hospice. I constantly stay up to date with research on the latest approaches to managing anxiety, grief, and relationship issues. I have been featured on NBC’s channel 8 Bloom series with Gayle Guyardo for the past few years.

Identifying the right therapist is life-changing, and I’m confident I can assist you in viewing life’s transitions as an opportunity for growth and personal development. Together, let’s place the right pieces together in your life for optimal emotional growth.

My Fun Facts:

• I own a teal saxophone (a gift from my oldest son Travis), and I will learn how to play it one day. It’s been on my bucket list! I have no clue how to play it yet, and in fact, I have no clue how even to put it together, but I know that I want to be able to play it eventually.
• I love laughing – my husband and my sons provide me with ample opportunities to belly laugh frequently. When I go to work, I listen to Joel Osteen on the radio for a spiritual boost, and on the way home after a long day, I listen to Comedy Central. My favorite comedians are Jim Gaffigan, Steven Wright, and Will Farrell (who can forget the “little Debbie SNL skit”? and Mitch Hedberg.
• I love to travel with family and friends. I recently went to Greece and Ireland to celebrate my 35th anniversary. Making memories with friends and family is so important to me. Locally, one of my favorite places to visit is Longboat Key/St. Armand’s circle!
• I love game night with friends and family! Heads Up, Sequence, Blank Slate, Cards Against Humanity (still don’t understand 1/2 of the deck), and Catan. My favorite games are during Christmas Eve with family… lighted golf ball contests, races, raffles, etc.
• I LOVE food!! Seriously, it’s my favorite thing. I love enjoying food for all it has to offer. That said, I’m not a good cook; my husband is. I am good at making reservations and ordering out. And by the way, I’m not a fan of vegetables!!

Not Ready to Schedule Yet?

No worries! Leave your information and a Client Care Coordinator will reach out with more information.

Nice to meet you!

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Too often life is full of turning points- times when you must start over or make a big decision, whether by choice or circumstance. Change is hard, whether it’s expected or not. I consider it an honor to assist my clients in navigating life changes.

I work in Sarasota, Virtual

My hourly rate is: $185 for individuals and $235 for couples

My specialties are:
Couples, Individuals, Adolescents, Emerging Adults, Anxiety, Depression, Personality Disorders, Suicide and Crisis Prevention, De-escalation, Grief, Parent & Child Relationships

Let’s get to know each other!

Too often life is full of turning points- times when you must start over or make a big decision, whether by choice or circumstance. Change is hard, whether it’s expected or not. I consider it an honor to assist my clients in navigating life changes to become the best versions of themselves possible. My passion is supporting couples and individuals as they work through challenging experiences and explore new tools to be successful.

I have worked in the mental health field since 2007 in a variety of settings. I’ve worked in residential treatment facilities, home-based services, community mental health agencies, and crisis services. My experience includes children, teenagers, and adults, ages 6-65.

I have experience providing individual, family, and couples counseling. I have supported goals ranging from stress management and anxiety reduction to grief, trauma processing, and crisis de-escalation. I love working with couples and families as they navigate challenges in their relationships by providing strategies for effective communication, conflict resolution, and effective tools that address underlying areas that are impacting the relationship.

I enjoy working with individuals who experience chronic depression and/or trauma that have resulted in personality disorders. I enjoy working with adolescents and emerging adults. I use interventions from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method for couples to assist my clients in understanding the links between their past experiences and current patterns of behavior. My belief is that awareness can create change, which can create healthy minds and relationships.

A bit more about me…

I was raised in Sarasota and graduated from Riverview High School (Go Rams!). I graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2006 (Go Mocs!) and then moved to North Carolina, where I worked at a wilderness residential facility for adjudicated juveniles. In 2010, I moved to Nashville, TN, where I began working in community mental health and attending graduate school at Capella University. I earned my Masters’ degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2013 and became licensed in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counseling with a Mental Health Service Provider designation in 2017. Once licensed, my career focused on working with military personnel and their families. I also worked as the Clinical Supervisor for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Stabilization for Centerstone of Tennessee. I opened my own private practice in 2019. Most recently, life circumstances have brought me back to the Sarasota area where I enthusiastically and quickly became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for the state of Florida. I’m so excited to be back home and to be working in my original community.

I fully believe that starting therapy should be as uncomplicated as possible. You’ve made the decision that counseling would be beneficial for you, and that should be the hardest step you have to make! Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being.

I am passionate about helping you find the right path for you. I believe you are the expert of your life, and it is my job to help you identify your true potential. While we can’t change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

My Fun Facts:

• My best friend is my pit bull named Blue. I’m convinced he understands everything I tell him!
• I love anything to do with the water. Give me a body of water and some sunshine, and I am set for the day.
• I’m a book worm to the core. My goal for this year is to read 52 books. I enjoy most fiction genres but have most recently been on a psychological thriller kick.
• I proudly support the US military. I have several US Marines in my family (including my brother) and was married to an Army Infantryman for close to ten years.
• At any given time, I have at least 5 different types of to-lists in my possession. Crossing things off my lists gives me life!

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