LGBT therapists in Deland, FL

My background includes trauma, substance use, crisis intervention, anxiety, OCD, and relationship challenges. I am especially passionate about supporting marginalized communities, particularly women and teens, while creating an inclusive and affirming space for all identities and lived experiences. I believe in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and helping people feel less alone in what they carry.

My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and tailored to each individual rather than forcing clients into one specific framework. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a reprocessing therapy similar to EMDR. I draw from these approaches based on your unique needs, personality, and goals while balancing evidence-based interventions with authenticity, humor, compassion, and occasional tough love.

Hello! Glad you are here! My name is

Francesca Cook, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have experience in both private practice and community mental health. I have walked with people in various areas of life. I believe each person has a story to be told, and a voice that deserves to be heard.

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.

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you're carrying anxiety, depression, mood changes, or emotions that seem difficult to manage on your own. I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel heard without judgment and supported through life's challenges. Whether you're navigating ADHD, bipolar disorder, anger management concerns, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, identity questions, or simply feeling stuck, my goal is to help you better understand yourself while building the tools you need to move forward. I work with both adolescents and adults, recognizing that every stage of life brings unique experiences and obstacles. Together, we'll create a supportive, collaborative environment where you can explore what's weighing on you, discover your strengths, and work toward meaningful, lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.

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.

It has always been my desire to make a positive impact within the local community. I am excited to bring 20+ years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and families. My extensive background in education as a school counselor allows me to build a better understanding of academic and social-focused client goals and translate these skills to societal settings and within the home. Specialized topics often addressed include social skills, anxiety, grief/loss of a loved one, divorce in the home, conflict resolution, peer relations, self-care, building self-esteem, stress reduction, building and repairing relationships, and behavior management. The development and growth of social-emotional health is more important now than ever before, and I am eager to assist my community through the platform of counseling and therapy.