Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Deland, FL

I earned an MSW from Tulane School of Social Work in 1989 and am a clinical social worker. I also practice Psychodrama and am a graduate of the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute in NY. I work primarily with musicians, actors & writers. I have a long history of working in non-profit agencies and schools, providing top notch care to disadvantaged and oppressed adolescents and families.

Provider with rich career progression spanning nursing, hospice care, and psychiatric care. Beginning her career as a registered nurse, Xiomara developed a deep understanding of patient care across diverse clinical settings before specializing in psychiatric mental health. Her experience in hospice care cultivated a profound appreciation for the emotional and psychological dimensions of health. As a psychiatric supervisor, she has mentored emerging clinicians while maintaining her own evidence-based clinical practice. Xiomara's approach combines clinical expertise with genuine empathy.

With over 15 years of experience, I have helped countless individuals navigate the challenges they face and find peace within themselves. Together, we can work towards culminating a healthier and more fulfilling future.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my dogs, hiking with friends, cooking, and making flower arrangements. I also enjoy spending time doing artsy activities or attending local events.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. My dual certification allows me to approach care holistically — understanding both the psychiatric and medical factors that impact overall wellness.

I have experience working with individuals experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, behavioral concerns, and severe mental illness. I believe mental health care should be collaborative, respectful, and individualized. Every client’s story is unique, and I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported. My goal is not only symptom relief but helping you build stability, insight, and long-term wellness.

I trained in medicine before I became a therapist, and it changed what I listen for. When a client tells me her chest tightens before every meeting, or that she can't stop thinking about a diagnosis, I take the physical side of that seriously.

I hold a PhD in health psychology and I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and Florida. My published research is on post-traumatic growth in women. Since 2020 I've also taught graduate counseling and psychology as an adjunct professor.

I see adults dealing with trauma and complex trauma, chronic illness, health anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions. I work with women through perinatal and postpartum struggles and through fertility challenges. I also see adolescents.

I speak English, Hindi, Arabic, and Urdu. If you're dealing with immigration, acculturation, or family expectations that don't translate easily, you won't have to explain that context to me first.

I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered. My approach combines evidence-based practices with genuine human connection to help clients navigate challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply seeking greater clarity, I provide a supportive environment where healing and growth can occur.

I work with teens, adults, and families who are facing addiction, mental health concerns, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, and barriers to personal growth. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or ready to make positive changes in their lives. You may be struggling with shame, guilt, anger, repetitive thoughts, poor sleep, concentration problems, or the effects of trauma that make it hard to feel calm, present, or in control. I also support family members who are trying to manage the impact of a loved one’s substance use while learning how to set healthier boundaries.

I bring a compassionate, real-world understanding to therapy. My experience includes supporting individuals living with severe and persistent mental health challenges, veterans, people affected by addiction, and those navigating many other mental health concerns. I create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen and understood. Using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and person-centered care, I tailor treatment to your needs and goals while helping you build resilience, gain insight, and move toward meaningful change.

Finding a therapist who truly gets your life can feel like a long search. One who sees more than a diagnosis, who doesn't need you to explain yourself before you can get to work. If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, that search often comes with an extra layer: the quiet work of figuring out whether this therapist is actually safe, or whether you'll spend your sessions educating them. With me, you won't have to do that work.

I'm a licensed therapist with more than 22 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. I've worked in community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, correctional settings, and private practice. I've sat with people in some of the hardest moments of their lives and know how to meet them there without flinching.

My primary focus is LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. That includes navigating identity, coming out at any stage of life, relationship dynamics unique to queer and same-sex partnerships, internalized stigma, minority stress, and everything that comes with living authentically in a world that doesn't always make that easy. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, substance use and dual diagnosis, men's issues, and stress and burnout.

I have a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University. I’ve been at Wekiva Springs Center since 2022, and have experience with patients all over the spectrum from mood disorders, to substance abuse disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.