Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Lithia, FL

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience providing individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults. My clinical background includes work with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, foster care youth, and individual navigating high-stress life transitions.

As a bilingual therapist (English and Haitian Creole), I am especially passionate about supporting individuals and families within multicultural communities where mental health may be misunderstood or stigmatized. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow.

Hello, my name is Aracelys Cruz, and I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). I completed my advanced training in psychiatric nursing at FNU/PMHNP-BC. I’m passionate about supporting people through life’s challenges and helping them feel heard, respected, and empowered. I work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and other mental health concerns. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, combining therapy, lifestyle guidance, and medication management when needed. My goal is to walk alongside you as we build a path toward balance and wellness.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. My background includes working in schools, military communities, and private practice settings, which has given me a deep understanding of the unique challenges people face in different life stages and environments. I am passionate about creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel supported, respected, and empowered to grow.

I speak Haitian Creole!

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage! I am here to support you in that process.

Welcome—I'm so glad you're here. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, processing deep emotional wounds, or simply seeking a safe space to be heard, I’m here to support you. I’m a bilingual, neurodivergent, culturally-affirming National Certified Mental Health Counselor, licensed in Virginia and Florida, with 25+ years of experience guiding individuals through healing and growth. My approach is compassionate, personalized, and rooted in evidence-based practices.

I believe therapy is a powerful way to reconnect with your inner strength. If you're considering taking that step, I'd be honored to connect.

I currently work with individuals aged 18 and older.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, heard, and genuinely supported. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment where clients can show up as their authentic selves. My approach is compassionate, direct when needed, and focused on helping clients build practical tools for everyday life while also exploring deeper emotional patterns and experiences.

I enjoy working with individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem challenges, stress, identity exploration, and emotional overwhelm. I am passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC clients and creating an affirming therapeutic space where clients feel respected and understood.

I understand that starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and my goal is to meet clients where they are while helping them move toward healing, clarity, and meaningful growth.

You deserve a life that isn’t defined by guilt, anxiety, or the pressure to be everything for everyone.

Many of my clients are exhausted from being the responsible one. They're the problem-solver, the caretaker, the one who keeps it together. Everyone seems to need something from them, and somehow they're expected to handle it all without dropping a ball.

Meanwhile, they're battling anxiety, self-doubt, guilt, overthinking, relationship stress, or the feeling that they've lost touch with themselves somewhere along the way.

As a bilingual English and Spanish therapist, I work with people who are ready to stop running on autopilot and start understanding what's actually keeping them stuck. Therapy with me isn't about pretending everything is fine or endlessly talking in circles. It's about understanding yourself more deeply, learning new ways of responding to life's challenges, and creating meaningful change.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist offering therapy for children, teens, and their caregivers. I have over 9 years of experience working with youth and families on issues such as child depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral problems. I earned my PhD in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina. I completed a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Miami (UM) Mailman Center for Child Development, where I specialized in pediatric psychology, primarily working in school-based primary care clinics with middle and high-school students. In addition to years of academic and clinical training, I am also the mother of a toddler. Being a parent myself has deepened my understanding and empathy for the families with whom I work.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I believe that hope and healing are possible for everyone. My counseling approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful change can occur when individuals, couples, and families partner with a compassionate, skilled therapist who provides effective support and practical mental health resources. I am committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can gain insight, build resilience, and work toward their goals. I look forward to the opportunity to meet and work with you.