Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Winter Haven, FL covered by Cigna

Life can feel overwhelming when stress, relationship challenges, difficult experiences, or emotional struggles begin affecting your ability to feel connected to yourself and the people around you. You may find yourself stuck in unhealthy patterns, struggling to communicate effectively, or carrying emotional burdens that continue to impact your daily life. Whether you are navigating challenges as an individual, within a relationship, or as part of a family system, therapy can provide a space to better understand what is happening and begin creating meaningful change.

I am the wife of a veteran, and mother of three. I have worked with children, families and couples for over 20 years. I believe in empowering others to guide them to discover the answers that they have and just need some direction to find . I work at their pace using wisdom from living this thing, we call life, and the trials that come with it. Guiding clients to find solutions, healing, and hope are primary objectives. I assist clients to understand that there is another side to what they are feeling and living; the other side is hope and healing. I graduated from USC, have been trained in several ways to do heal emotional wounds. Together we can work on anything from simple life issues, ADHD, moral injury, and trauma such as such as domestic violence. I also work with attunement isdues between parent and child that often present as behavioral issues in the littlest of littles. Connection is a basic human necessity. I am in a profession that provides others hope, healing, and growth, in their lives. There are no words to express how meaningful giving hope to others and helping others heal is, but it is why I do this "work". It is always an honor for me to be a part of anyone's healing journey in any way.

Therapy with me is very human and genuine. I don’t just focus on what’s painful or stuck but help to highlight the ways in which my clients overcome life's punches. While I take this work seriously, I believe laughter can be healing and disarming in therapy.

I earned my Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Florida International University and have worked in a variety of settings, including the foster care system, residential treatment, and community mental health. My background includes supporting individuals navigating trauma, persistent mental health conditions, substance use, eating disorders, and major life transitions. I’ve also worked with veterans, individuals who are unhoused, and LGBTQIA2S+ clients.

In my practice, I work with clients experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I also support clients with PTSD, some OCD presentations, and concerns related to gender, sexuality, and queer identity. My work is trauma-informed, affirming, and rooted in helping clients feel both emotionally safe and genuinely understood.

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” — Mulan

For the past five years, I have been honored to walk alongside my clients as they navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship issues, and self-esteem issues. I also work with clients struggling with mood disorders, OCD, and personality disorders, amongst other conditions. My journey in this field began with my education at the University of Central Florida, where I built the foundation for my clinical practice. It has been my mission to create a space where you can be yourself and we can work together towards healing.

Life can feel heavy sometimes. You may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, relationship struggles, low self-esteem, or simply exhausted from trying to hold everything together on your own. Therapy is a space where you can finally exhale, feel heard, and begin to better understand yourself without fear of judgment. I believe healing starts with feeling safe, supported, and genuinely connected. Together, we can work through the challenges keeping you stuck and help you build healthier patterns, stronger confidence, and a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in New York with over fifteen years of experience working as a therapist and a coach. I support clients navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, OCD, parenting problems, career challenges, and life transitions.

I've worked with adolescents, couples, and families and I value creating a space where clients feel safe, understood and supported. I'm direct, yet compassionate, and I am not afraid to help you explore the "elephant in the room" so we can get to the root of what's keeping you stuck.

You don't have to have it all figured out to start. There is no right or wrong place to begin.

I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. I'm also a Certified School Counselor — which means I've spent decades not just in therapy offices, but inside schools, alongside kids and families navigating the real, daily pressures of growing up, parenting, and finding your way.

That breadth of experience shapes everything about how I work. I understand what it looks like when anxiety shows up in a classroom, when ADHD affects a family's daily life, or when an eating disorder hides behind achievement. And I know how to create a space where children, teens, and adults alike feel safe enough to actually open up.

Lidiar con una tristeza profunda que no desaparece, vivir con el cuerpo en constante alerta por la ansiedad, o sentir que el pasado sigue doliendo en el presente a través de recuerdos y bloqueos, es una experiencia agotadora. Si te encuentras atravesando por procesos de trauma, estrés postraumático (TEPT), ansiedad, depresión o los desafíos de un trastorno de la personalidad, quiero que sepas que hay un camino hacia la calma.

Mi nombre es Maria Isabel Montalvo y soy psicoterapeuta especializado/a en salud mental compleja y terapia relacional. En mi consulta encontrarás un espacio de absoluta seguridad, confidencialidad y respeto, libre de juicios, diseñado para procesar tus heridas y regular tus emociones a tu propio ritmo.