Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Clermont, FL

I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2016. I am a Florida licensed psychotherapist and have maintained a private practice for 17 years in Orlando and Winter Park. I have specialized training in the following: Clinical Trauma Professional and Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Qualified Clinical Supervisor. I am also a certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist through Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and MAPS.

Carmen Arrufat Ives is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who brings both heart and expertise to her work. She’s passionate about trauma-informed, developmentally thoughtful care—blending psychotherapy, medication management, and holistic strategies to help patients heal, grow, and truly thrive.

She completed advanced clinical training with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she specialized in treating PTSD, military sexual trauma, and complex psychiatric conditions. Carmen is also a graduate of The REACH Institute’s Evidence-Based Treatment for Pediatric Primary Care program, giving her specialized expertise in working with children and adolescents navigating anxiety, ADHD, mood, and behavioral challenges.

With advanced training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, and EMDR, Carmen integrates neuroscience, preventive mental health, and whole-person care to support individuals and families across every stage of life.

Outside of work, Carmen enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and her beloved “furry family,” recharging through connection, laughter, and everyday moments that matter most.

My background is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, where I earned my Master's from the University of Central Florida. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, and difficulties with self-esteem and emotional regulation. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s unique experiences.

Hi there! I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 6 years of experience in the field. In my experience, I have worked with children, teens and adults healing from trauma, abuse, attachment injuries, and neglect. I also support parents who want to strengthen parent-child relationships, understand how early experiences shape their parenting and build healthier family dynamics.

I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable being fully yourself. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and never judged, while also being supported in making real, meaningful changes in your life.

Clients often share that they feel at ease talking with me, but also appreciate that I’m honest and help them look at things in new ways. I’m not here to just nod along. I’m here to help you understand yourself more deeply, recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and figure out what actually works for you moving forward.

I take a collaborative approach, which means we work together to make sense of your experiences and build tools that fit your life. Therapy does not have to feel cold or overly clinical. It can be a space that feels genuine, supportive, and even a little lighter at times, while still doing the deeper work.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming especially when you’re already feeling stuck, exhausted, anxious, or unsure of what you need. I believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely understood, not judged or “fixed.” My goal is to create a space where you can be honest about what’s really going on, feel supported through the hard parts, and develop tools that help you feel more grounded and confident in your life.

I work with adults navigating eating disorders, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, relationship and communication difficulties, attachment wounds, and major life transitions. I’ve worked across residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient settings, giving me experience supporting people through both acute challenges and longer-term healing.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and compassionate, while still being honest and practical. We’ll work together to understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck not just manage symptoms, but understand why they’re happening and what you want to do differently.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. If you’re ready to better understand yourself, break old patterns, and build a life that feels more like your own, I’d be honored to help.

A Florida and Polk County native, Mirtha is a graduate of Frostproof High School. She is board certified as both a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Autonomous Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She earned a Bachelor's of Nursing from Polk State and a Master's of Nursing from USF. In 2023 Mirtha earned a Post Master's Certification in Psychiatry from Florida Atlantic University. However, her journey as a mental health provider began in 2020 when she became certified through the Academy of Christian Counseling, as a mental health coach. Then in January of 2025 she became an active member of the Order of Saint Luke (OSL) a healing ministry.

Mirtha has nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare. Her passion is caring for individuals struggling with mental health issues. She has been volunteering with the youth in her community for over 7 years and also has experience working in a domestic violence shelter with victims of trauma.