Improve your mood, learn how to manage stress, overcome trauma, let go of worries, experience more positive relationships and feel better about your life.
Coaching
Learn to set healthier boundaries, become more assertive, increase confidence. overcome obstacles to success and achieve your goals.
Diagnostic and Educational Testing
Offering clinical diagnostic testing, IQ and gifted testing, evaluation of learning disabilities, and bariatric pre-surgical evaluations.
Offering a full range of psychological services with convenient options to fit your life.
Individual therapy and Coaching available In-Person and Online
Welcome to Professional Psychology of Pinellas PLLC.
If you have arrived here then you are contemplating making changes in yourself, improving your life and relationships or finding help for a loved one. You are in the right place, helping people grow into a better tomorrow is my passion and what I do best! Professional Psychology of Pinellas offers a full range of psychological services in a highly personalized setting with a commitment to exceptional patient care. I offer individual therapy for children (ages 6 and up) through adults, couples therapy, family therapy, coaching, and psychological testing in a centralized location to the Largo, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa areas. I believe you will find that my practice offers the best of both worlds; the trusted expertise you seek with the compassionate care you desire.
After recently moving to the beautiful St. Petersburg area, I made the decision to transition from a successful larger group practice and return to a smaller solo practice model. In a field where group practices are quickly becoming the norm, the decision to stay small was a deliberate one which allows me greater control and flexibility over the individualized quality care that my clients expect. The therapeutic relationship is essential and you can feel comfortable knowing that from the moment you contact my practice you are speaking with me. There is no support staff to go through. We will work together to determine which services you or your child may need and should any questions or concerns arise during the course of treatment, you will be able to contact me directly.
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi
I strive to uphold simple but important core values in my practice.
Trust– The therapeutic relationship is based on trust. I won’t lie to you and I will not just tell you what you want to hear. That does mean at times I may challenge you, but I will always do so with kindness, respect and with your therapeutic goals in mind. You are coming to therapy to change yourself or your circumstances but change does not occur without challenge. If I am not the right person to help you, I will let you know. If I do not feel therapy will be beneficial for you or I feel that it is time to graduate from therapy, I will let you know that too.
Fairness– Mental health care can be expensive, with or without insurance. I will always review potential charges with you and do my best to advise you on the most cost effective route for your situation and needs. You will have access to a secure patient portal where you will be able to access billing documents.
Unconditional Positive Regard– Many people feel anxious about reaching out for professional help. Some even express embarrassment or shame in struggling with mental health issues. I provide a safe, nurturing and non-judgmental environment where you can feel accepted and heard. All emotions are normal, it is only the intensity and degree to which they are negatively impacting your life that makes them a clinical issue.
Thank you for considering Professional Psychology of Pinellas PLLC as a partner in your journey toward change. I look forward to working with you!
Who can I help?
I have experience working with individuals of all ages and am LGBTQ friendly.
Children
I have extensive experience working with children 6-12 years of age with common emotional and behavioral concerns such as anxiety, depression, anger issues, sleep problems, and trauma related symptoms. I utilize a variety of treatment interventions including Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR to help children understand their feelings, develop effective coping skills, improve behavior, resolve trauma and enhance self esteem. Parents are an important part of their child’s therapy as well. I work collaboratively with parents to provide insight into their child’s feelings and behaviors and provide supportive strategies that can be implemented at home.
Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of major changes emotionally, physically, neurologically and developmentally. Teens have numerous challenges facing them everyday as they navigate their way towards adulthood. The pressures of school and impending independence, peer relationships and an ever changing society can leave teens feeling lost, rejected, depressed, anxious and in some cases suicidal or engaging in self injurious behaviors. I have years of experience working with teens of all ages. Many times they may come to therapy reluctantly and that is OK. In most cases I am able to engage them by demonstrating a non-judgmental and open space for them to feel accepted and heard. In a world where not much is private anymore, therapy is a place they can feel safe.
Young Adults/College Students
Young Adults and College Students are experiencing a major transition period in their lives that can be exciting, confusing, overwhelming and scary. For many they are adjusting to living independently for the first time and may be struggling to manage effectively. Individuals in this phase of life can be more vulnerable to the onset of anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse among other issues. I enjoy working with young adults to help them develop the skills they need to navigate this time in their lives more effectively. We can work together to improve the ability to adapt to and embrace change, build confidence, find balance, and identify and clarify values, purpose and goals.
Adults
When was the last time you felt truly happy? Relaxed? Like you have this life thing down? Do you long to feel more confident in yourself, good about your relationships or successful at work? Do you wish you were able to live your life in the moment and fully enjoy your experiences instead of just getting through it day to day? Have you spent your life worrying about whether or not you are good enough, trying to live up to other’s expectations, and taking care of those around you to the neglect of yourself? Isn’t it time to prioritize your happiness and well being? Whether you struggle with chronic symptoms of depression or anxiety, are trying to adjust to recent life transitions or changes, suffer from the emotional pain of past trauma, or wish your relationships were more positive and fulfilling, therapy can help you discover yourself again.
Couples
You probably don’t now when or how it happened but the spark in your relationship has dimmed and you are confused, hurt, and worried if you can get it back again. You used to feel such excitement together, communication was easy, and time together was effortless and joyful. Perhaps you feel like your partner just doesn’t seem to understand you. Or what used to be little annoyances or seem trivial now escalates into major arguments and you end up wondering how it even got that far. The truth is no relationship is problem proof. Life is constantly changing. Every day stressors, unexpected obstacles and individual personality characteristics can take their toll on even the strongest relationships. Couples can quickly become trapped in unproductive communication patterns that lead to criticism, defensiveness, rejection and resentment. Therapy can help couples identify these problematic interactional patterns and learn new more effective ways of communicating that can lead to understanding, increased intimacy and more positive loving interactions again.
Families/Adoptive Families
Families come in all shapes and sizes but the one thing they all have in common is that no family is perfect. Family can be our greatest source of love and support and also the source of our greatest frustrations, disappointments and hurt. At times families may find themselves struggling with conflict or problematic interactions that they can’t seem to resolve. Family members may feel unheard, rejected or powerless. Family therapy can help heal family relationships, improve communication and increase positive interactions so you can enjoy each other again.
Families who are considering adoption or who already know the blessings that adoption can bring can experience the same difficulties described above as well as other struggles that are unique to adoption. I have specialized training and certification in working with adoptive families at all stages in the adoption process to help navigate bumps in the road and work toward healthy and positive adjustment.