LGBT therapists in Lutz, FL

Welcome. I applaud you for taking this step to seek guidance to build your skills and coping methods for a more satisfying life experience. I have been a therapist for over 15 years. I enjoy my career and find it exciting to help others find a path to contentment.

Hi, I'm Carneisha, most clients call me CJ. I'm a licensed social worker (MSW, University of Georgia) with five years of experience working with adults of all ages, including older adults and diverse populations such as Native American communities. I specialize in depression, mood and affect disorders, and personality disorders, and I bring a warm, affirming, genuinely curious presence to every session.

At my core, I'm a Rogerian meaning I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my job is to walk alongside you, not in front of you. You'll find this is a judgment-free space where we can explore what's shaped you, your history, your fears, your patterns and work together toward a version of yourself you actually recognize and feel good in.

If you're struggling with addiction, carrying the weight of complex trauma, or trying to cope while managing a chronic health condition, I want you to know there's a way forward — and you don't have to walk it alone. I'm a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) with over 16 years of experience across private practice, residential substance abuse treatment, medical social work, and the non-profit world. I've sat with people in their hardest, most overwhelming moments, and I bring that same steady, non-judgmental presence to every session.

Much of my work centers on substance use and recovery, complex trauma, and the emotional toll of chronic medical conditions. Whether you're in the thick of a crisis or finally ready to address something you've carried for years, I'll meet you exactly where you are — with compassion, real tools, and zero judgment.

Maybe the anxiety hums under everything you do, or motherhood looks nothing like the version you pictured. Maybe you are carrying a loss other people have stopped asking about. Whatever brought you here, you deserve a place to say it out loud without softening it first. I work with women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the identity shifts that come with becoming a parent, and with adults facing anxiety, depression, grief, and stress that has stopped feeling temporary. Much of my career has been spent beside people in their hardest seasons, and what looks like falling apart is often the start of something honest.

I am a family and marriage counselor currently licensed in Texas. I have over 40 years of experience working as a psychotherapists and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, sexual issues, substance abuse issues and general life conflicts. I also helped many people who have experienced combinations of areas of concerns and who faced existential conflicts within their lives.

I am a Developmental Psychologist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 16 years of clinical experience who excels in helping others connect the dots and make positive changes in their lives. I have had a front row seat to difficult times, and I know there can be a way out.

I graduated from The Ohio State University with my DNP in 2020 focusing on efficient pathways to implement depression screening post-stroke to identify mental health needs. After working a couple years as a nurse practitioner within neurosurgery, I transitioned from Ohio to Florida and pursued my PMHNP certification from Florida State University. Over the past 5 years I have been treating psychiatric needs in LTC around Florida. I am currently working to expand into independent practice and work personally with individuals creating a therapeutic relationship and enhancing their mental health.

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.

Dr. Zaidi is Triple Board Certified in Psychiatry/Neurology, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. He has encompassed more than thirty years of extensive and diverse experience in the field of Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatry. Dr. Zaidi was responsible for the management of a Monmouth Medical Center Children’s Crisis Intervention Service staff and operations; establishing patient services for adolescents, including day and overnight hospitalization; and supervision of multidisciplinary staff in various settings. Dr. Zaidi served as a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry at the Drexel School of Medicine. As a Site Director for Psychiatry, he provided supervision and training of medical students and pediatric residents on rotation at Monmouth Medical Center for Drexel School of Medicine and the Physicians Assistants Program from UMDNJ and Seton Hall. Dr. Zaidi has seen children, adolescents, and adults in private practice for over a decade. Dr. Zaidi is certified by the Board of Education to conduct psychiatric evaluations for school districts for Monmouth and surrounding counties.

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