Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Lithia, FL

Welcome! My name is Emily, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, following my undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. I have experience working with individuals throughout the lifespan and I believe therapy is most effective when it feels supportive, collaborative, and grounded in trust.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health and ART trauma therapist passionate about helping adults and teens manage the overwhelming challenges of life—whether it's anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply feeling stuck.

I have been in the mental health field for over 10 years and have been counseling for four years. I became a counselor because I genuinely care about what happens to others and I want to help them through tough times. I have a passion for working with the LGBT+, ENM/Polyamorous, minority, and Kink communities. I am proficient in helping with issues related to trauma. I especially love to help empower the oppressed and the people who are made to feel "less than."

One of the most empowering factors in my life has been spending 32 years as an Air Force Military Spouse. This empowered me to grow and learn through lived experiences in diverse groups. I’ve been a clinical social worker and prior substance abuse counselor for 30+ years working in a public agency, private practice, and with the US Army at Fort Carson, Colorado and at SHAPE, Belgium. I work across all ages to include both adults and children. In addition to my MSW in clinical social worker, I have an advanced graduate degree in Infant and Early Childhood Special Education Leadership and a doctorate degree in Curriculum and Diversity Studies.

I believe therapy should feel safe, supportive, and centered on you. I know it’s not one particular model of therapy that makes the difference, but the relationship we build together. My role is to walk alongside you, creating a space where you feel understood, respected, and empowered to grow.

Every person’s journey is unique, and I will work with you to find the path that feels right for you—one that builds on your strengths and helps you move toward healing and resilience.

Wanting to find peace from trauma, depression, anxiety, or need help coping with significant life changes? Do you find yourself ruminating about the past, worrying about the future, having difficulty feeling motivated, purposeful or worthy? I help client's cope with recurring trauma and daily stressors by building skills to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, be mindful and present in the given moment, and communicate and interact effectively with others.

CJ deeply believes that a person’s past does not define their future. With a potent blend of empathy and expertise, she is passionate about helping individuals uncover their innate resilience and capacity for healing. Her approach is rooted in the belief that even the most painful histories can be transformed into sources of strength.

Having grown up in foster care, CJ brings a lived understanding of adversity—not as her reason for becoming a therapist, but as a quiet source of strength that has shaped her superpower: the ability to sit with any form of trauma without judgment or shock. Her presence is steady, compassionate, and unshakable—able to hold space for stories that are often too heavy for others to carry.

Specializing in trauma-informed and somatic therapies, CJ supports individuals, couples, and families through experiences of PTSD, anxiety, and complex trauma. Her mission is to guide clients toward a life marked by grace, growth, and resilience.

I am a Masters-Level Clinician providing individual and couples counseling both in-person and via telehealth. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eckerd College and my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. I am a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honors Society, the American Counseling Association, and the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

My experience allows me to work with individuals seeking to improve their mental health. I am passionate about helping teens, young adults, and college students dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem issues, and trauma.