Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Winter Haven, FL

A Florida and Polk County native, Mirtha is a graduate of Frostproof High School. She is board certified as both a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Autonomous Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. She earned a Bachelor's of Nursing from Polk State and a Master's of Nursing from USF. In 2023 Mirtha earned a Post Master's Certification in Psychiatry from Florida Atlantic University. However, her journey as a mental health provider began in 2020 when she became certified through the Academy of Christian Counseling, as a mental health coach. Then in January of 2025 she became an active member of the Order of Saint Luke (OSL) a healing ministry.

Mirtha has nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare. Her passion is caring for individuals struggling with mental health issues. She has been volunteering with the youth in her community for over 7 years and also has experience working in a domestic violence shelter with victims of trauma.

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 have been in the mental health field for over 10 years and have been counseling for four years. I became a counselor because I genuinely care about what happens to others and I want to help them through tough times. I have a passion for working with the LGBT+, ENM/Polyamorous, minority, and Kink communities. I am proficient in helping with issues related to trauma. I especially love to help empower the oppressed and the people who are made to feel "less than."

I believe that healthy relationships are one of the most important parts of emotional well-being. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I help individuals and couples strengthen communication, navigate conflict, process life transitions, and build deeper, healthier connections with themselves and others.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I strive to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow. I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel overwhelming, and I work to make the process feel comfortable, approachable, and meaningful from the very beginning.

I have experience supporting clients with relationship challenges, anxiety, stress, emotional overwhelm, communication difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and personal growth. I work with adults, couples, and individuals who are looking to better understand themselves, improve their relationships, and create lasting positive change.

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more, we are here to support you. Seeking help and opening up to someone new can be intimidating, but it's a brave step towards healing. I understand the importance of a supportive and personalized approach, which enables me to offer effective treatment plans tailored to your unique circumstances. I treat a variety of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep disorders, postpartum depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, OCD, among others. My extensive experience in a variety of mental health settings has equipped me to address both common and complex mental health needs with compassion and expertise.

~Meliorism- the belief that the world gets better; the belief that humans can improve the world. --This is not only the name of my practice, Meliorism Counseling LLC, but it's a core value I truly believe in. Using a focus on relationships, I work with individuals, couples, and families to obtain a sense of overall well-being and balance. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida I have had the privilege to work in the dependency system, child advocacy setting, not-for-profit sector and private agencies. Services are available in office or through teletherapy.