Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Panama City, FL

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.

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.

Thank you for visiting my profile! My name is Kimberly Townsend, LMHC and I provide general mental health telehealth therapy services for pre-teens, teens and adults via individual and/or family sessions. I have ten years of experience working with clients and patients in various clinical capacities (schools, in-home, inpatient, outpatient, corrections/prison, private practice). Clients are often looking for support navigating something that has left them feeling alone, surprised or unbalanced. You will find me to be a warm, supportive, welcoming, competent and skilled therapist. I will cheer you on and challenge you. All are welcome, just as you are.

For more than 24 years, I have had the privilege of helping individuals navigate some of life’s most difficult and challenging moments. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, respect, honesty, and the belief that meaningful change is possible when we are willing to understand where we have been, recognize where we are today, and make intentional choices about where we want to go.

Life can leave us carrying disappointment, loss, difficult relationships, self-doubt, anxiety, regret, or painful experiences from the past. Sometimes, we simply feel stuck and are unsure how to move forward. Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to step back, gain perspective, understand ourselves more deeply, and begin creating a different path.

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor, I draw upon extensive clinical experience and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help clients identify their concerns, develop meaningful goals, and build practical strategies for change. I believe therapy should be more than simply talking about problems—it should help you develop insight, strengthen your ability to cope, improve your relationships, and move toward the life you want to live.

My philosophy is simple: your past may have shaped you, but it does not have to define you.

Therapy is an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you, embrace the present, and discover the person you are capable of becoming.

My goal is to help you move forward with greater self-awareness, confidence, resilience, and hope.

It’s never too late to put your Best Self Forward.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 20 years of experience providing compassionate mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. I’m skilled in helping clients navigate behavioral concerns, emotional challenges, trauma, anxiety, anger management, self-esteem issues, family conflict, and crisis situations. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with at-risk youth, foster care populations, and families facing complex emotional and behavioral challenges. In both English and Haitian Creole, my clinical approach is rooted in creating a safe, supportive, and culturally responsive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow.

Reaching out for therapy takes something, and I want the first conversation to feel like a relief rather than a test. My work starts with getting to know who you are and what you're carrying, not with a diagnosis.

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking that step!

I don't believe anyone's story is ever over. Life can leave us carrying burdens we never expected. Anxiety, depression, broken relationships, grief, trauma, addiction, or simply the weight of holding everything together can make it feel like peace is out of reach. But I believe that pain does not define you, and it does not get the final word. As a Christian counselor, it is my mission to help people find hope and strength in the middle of life's hardest moments. Healing doesn't pretend the past never happened, but it does mean that your wounds don't have to control your future. I utilize a mix of evidence based practices, which includes trauma informed care, that align with God's design to help you get as close as you can to the peace you were designed to live with.

I believe therapy is a collaborative journey—not a quick fix. If you or your child are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or weighed down by stress, anxiety, or past experiences, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with adults and children, bringing warmth, compassion, and a strengths-based approach to each session. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore challenges, reconnect with their strengths, and move toward a more fulfilling life. I integrate trauma-informed practices and, when it feels helpful, nature-based techniques to support grounding, perspective, and growth. I’m here to guide and empower you—while helping you take meaningful, practical steps forward.

I work with women in their 20s and 30s who are dealing with anxiety, ADHD, or that overwhelming sense that life should feel more manageable by now. A lot of my clients have tried therapy before and felt like it wasn't clicking, like they were spinning their wheels. That's exactly the kind of stuck I help with.