Grief counselors and therapists in Lakeland, FL

Hi, I am Shawn Perrigo. As a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a Master of Social Work (MSW), I uniquely blend clinical expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior. With a participatory and empowering approach, I foster an affirming, open-minded, and solution-oriented therapeutic space. By integrating mental health care with a holistic perspective, I guide individuals toward sustainable wellness, ensuring every step is collaborative and meaningful.

Finding the right psychiatric provider is about more than credentials. You want someone who will listen, take your concerns seriously, and help you understand what is going on without making you feel rushed or judged.

I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of healthcare experience. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep concerns, stress, and life transitions. I am also bilingual in English and Spanish.

My approach is simple: I want to understand your story, not just your symptoms. I take time to explain your options, answer your questions, and include you in decisions about your care. One of the compliments I value most is, “You actually listened.” That is the kind of experience I want every patient and family to have.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a background in psychology and Human Resources. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years working directly with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life. That experience taught me a lot about people, relationships, work, pressure, and the challenges we face at different stages of life. Today, my main focus is working with men, people going through major life transitions, and couples dealing with relationship issues. I earned my Master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University.

Struggling with mental health or addiction? Let's talk.

My education has consistently been geared toward my goal of humbly understanding the human experience.

Prior to licensure in 2019, I held over 14 years of human-service work experience. I am dedicated to creating and maintaining an atmosphere of respect and acceptance.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Over the past 10 years I have worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor, Group Facilitator, Counseling families, Individuals, The Sheltered Homeless population, First Responders, and the geriatric population. I have also worked with children who are in the foster care system. I have experience in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma/PTSD, Behavior issues, and other areas as well.

Clients should know that I am non-judgmental, client centered, empathetic, and will work within their belief systems. I look to empower clients so they can live their best lives. I have a lot of experience working with co-occurring disorders, relationship issues, and substance use disorders/addictions of all types.

I work with young adults and couples who feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in anxious patterns, or disconnected from themselves or their relationships. My background includes supporting people through life transitions, grief, anxiety, and relationship stress. I believe therapy works best when you feel truly seen, supported, and understood.

Tired of feeling overwhelmed, stressed out or anxious? Do you find yourself overthinking or worrying about any and everything? Do you experience a rapid heart beat, sweaty palms, dry mouth and shaking? Feeling on edge, irritable or tense? All these things keep you from enjoying your life. They hold you back in your career or in relationships or other areas of life. You want to feel at ease and less stressed out. You want to go after what you want without second guessing yourself.

I help client's develop life-changing habits that allow them to cope with any of life’s various obstacles that provokes anxiety. During therapy sessions we will work together to identify goals and map out a plan to reach those goals. You'll receive tools that you can start using today and the validation and care that you deserve.

You will find a supportive, non judgmental, safe space to share. Contact me to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation so I can answer any questions you have before we get started.

I specialize in supporting adults navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. My ideal clients often come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck in painful patterns, disconnected from themselves, or weighed down by past experiences that continue to shape their emotions, relationships, and daily lives. Together, we create space to better understand those experiences and begin building a path toward healing and growth.

Welcome to the first step to your healing journey!

Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about coming home to yourself. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, more seen, and more aligned with who you really are, I’d be honored to walk that path with you.

I am passionate about helping people find clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to themselves. I work with adults and older adults navigating challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, and life transitions—and I offer a space where you don’t have to hold it all alone. I was drawn to this work because of my own journey. Growing up, I often found myself holding space for others—listening deeply, asking questions, and offering comfort. Over time, I realized that being present with people in their pain, and witnessing their growth, was not just something I cared about—it was something I was meant to do. That sense of purpose continues to guide me today.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC016639) in the state of Georgia and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH22156) in the state of Florida. I've worked in a variety of settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, crisis stabilization units, community agencies and college campuses. My clients have a wide range in age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, education level, ethnicity, and cultural background. In my practice, I like to focus on life transitions, whether it's leaving a job, becoming a parent, or starting college.

I have worked with diverse populations in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric stabilization, homeless prevention, and integrated healthcare. These experiences have allowed me to develop an eclectic skill-set with a person-centered approach. I love being a social worker and having the privilege of helping others heal and grow.