Grief counselors and therapists in Sanford, FL

Hi! I'm Katia, a counselor dedicated to guiding you through life's challenges. My approach prioritizes you, creating a judgment-free space for exploration. As a first-gen Latin immigrant, I've faced societal pressures, finding strength in resilience. I believe in everyone's capacity to heal and grow, aiming for a balanced life.

Hello there!

My name is Marisa and I am a licensed mental health counselor with over 6 years of experience providing mental health services to individuals from widely diverse backgrounds, with varying symptoms and diagnoses. Throughout the past couple of years, I have been predominately working with women (adults and teens) who experience anxiety, trauma/PTSD, mood disorders, and interpersonal and intrapersonal challenges. While many of the clients I support have experienced trauma, particularly in some form of abuse, I am equipped to work with clients with a wide range of additional concerns, as well.

I am a "out of the box" therapist and qualified supervisor. I specialize in difficult cases. If you have been treated in the past and have not realized any appreciable changes or benefits, you may be discouraged and believe therapy doesn't "work".

I’ve been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California since 1995 and in Florida since 2001, with decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, families, and groups. In addition to my clinical work, I’ve served as a motivational trainer, consultant, and adjunct faculty member at over 20 universities, community colleges, hospitals, and medical centers.

My approach is rooted in psychoeducation — helping you better understand yourself while giving you practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and have experience supporting clients through relationship issues, life transitions, personal growth, and emotional healing. I also facilitate seminars, workshops, and small groups, where I create a supportive space for learning, connection, and growth. My goal is to help you feel understood, empowered, and equipped to move forward with confidence.

I’m a cis-gender heterosexual female. My husband and I have a high school aged son. I’m originally from St. Louis, MO but I have lived in Florida for a combined 36 years because I love living in paradise. One of the things I enjoy about virtual work is seeing my clients’ pets too.

I was a non-traditional student and got my bachelor's degree at 29 and my master's degree at 32. The life skills I gained as I worked my way through school have been helpful throughout my career. For some people, the age of their therapist is important. I am 49 years old.

Some of my helpful qualities include being non-judgmental. I have talked to people of all kinds, many ages with all kinds of histories and all kinds of present lives. There really isn't a topic you can't discuss with me, I have never felt a client gave me "TMI" or too much information. You are guaranteed privacy and confidentiality. You can get judgment for free anywhere else. I believe everyone is doing the best they can with what they know.

I am often told after first sessions that I'm easy to talk to and those clients feel better just having gotten some things off their chest.

I have treated children and teens throughout my career beginning at my first job in foster care.since beginning in I graduated from my masters degree. I have also treated adults with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, PTSD, sexual dysfunction, porn addiction, people in the LGBTQ community & people in alternative lifestyles.

I also treated patients in hospice as well as other medical settings. I treat people with chronic illnesses and occasionally I treat people with life limiting illnesses.

Here at Headway I will treat anyone who is 10 or older because I believe they are best suited for virtual therapy. I'm open to appeals about this policy.