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My own journey into mental health advocacy began when my oldest son was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder. As I learned to navigate his diagnosis, I immersed myself in education, support, and advocacy, eventually becoming certified through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to teach all of their signature education programs.

During my seven years with NAMI, I served my community by teaching mental health education classes, leading support groups, collaborating with community organizations, and offering seminars aimed at reducing stigma and increasing understanding.

That work inspired me to return to school and deepen my ability to help others. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University and began clinical practice in crisis intervention and trauma‐informed care at the Children’s Advocacy Center and Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital. I now have my own private practice providing personalized therapy as well as psychoeducational and therapeutic groups throughout the year. I also continue to educate local businesses and community members through professional seminars focused on compassion, early intervention, and mental health awareness. In addition, I serve as an adjunct professor at Florida State University Panama City.

Beyond my professional life, I’ve been married to my high‐school sweetheart for 37 years, and we have two adult sons. I find joy in spending time with family, reading, studying human behavior, walking on the beach, watching sunrises and sunsets, exploring Pinterest, playing the piano, and creating a warm, welcoming home.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to walk alongside you as you discover new possibilities, reclaim your sense of self, and create a life worth living.

With over 10 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, I’ve supported individuals through some of the most challenging moments in their lives—including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and substance use.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where we can work through what’s going on and begin finding a path forward that feels realistic and manageable.

My background in healthcare settings has given me experience working with both mental health and medical challenges, allowing me to take a more holistic view of what you’re going through.

Congratulations on your courageous decision to seek help! Self-awareness is the first step to change and I go above and beyond to help those like you who choose to actively help themselves. Understand that the path to self-discovery and growth is not easy. It involves commitment, personal investment, and a desire to delve into the process of growth, healing, and self-love.

I got my start working in a residential setting, supporting people through serious mental health challenges, trauma, and addiction. That experience shaped how I see therapy, it’s not just clinical, it’s about feeling understood and not alone in what you’re going through. I now work with people dealing with things like trauma, emotional ups and downs, and substance use, and I’m trained in EMDR. While I have experience with more intense situations, I also work with people who feel stuck, reactive, or disconnected and want to understand why.

Binge Eating Disorder, emotional eating, and food relationship healing is a cause close to my heart both professionally and personally. The adults I work with are cycle breakers but their relationship with food keeps them feeling burnt out when they want to feel self acceptance and open to new experiences.

Hello, my name is Karenia Li. I’m a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, and couple's counseling (Cash).