Best Therapists in Gainesville, FL of 2024
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Best Therapists in Gainesville, Florida of 2024
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I. Therapists in Gainesville, FL
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Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem, Depression, Addictions, LGBT, Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse, Older, Grief, Intimacy-related, Parenting, Career, Bipolar, Non-religious, Teens, Conservative counselor, Liberal counselor
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family, Parenting, Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Older, Grief, Intimacy-related, Eating, Sleeping, Anger, Self esteem, Career, Bipolar, Non-religious, Depression, Teens, Liberal counselor
Tamara Powell
- 5 years of Experience
- United States
- Pensacola, Florida
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Coaching, Eclectic, Emotionally Focused, Existential, Family / Marital, Feminist, Humanistic, Integrative, Interpersonal, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Narrative, Transpersonal
State License: Florida
Jeffrey Frank
- 10+ years of Experience
- United States
- Sarasota, Florida
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Emotionally Focused, Family / Marital, Psychodynamic, Relational, Trauma Focused
State Licenses: Florida and Washington D.C.
Allison Velez
- 24 years of Experience
- United States
- Navarre, Florida
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Child or Adolescent, Divorce, Family Conflict, Infidelity, Marital / Premarital, Relationship Issues
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Emotionally Focused, Family / Marital, Hypnotherapy
State License: Florida
Michelle Sgarlato
- 6 years of Experience
- United States
- North Palm Beach, Florida
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), EMDR, Gottman Method, Intervention, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Person-Centered Therapy
State License: Florida
Meg Young
- 14 years of Experience
- United States
- Sarasota, Florida
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Alcohol Abuse, Anger Management, Anxiety, Behavior Issues, Caregiver Stress, Coping Skills, Depression, Drug Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Family Conflict, Grief, Military, OCD, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Trauma / PTSD
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), EMDR, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
State Licenses: Connecticut and Florida
Tracy Rodriguez-Miller
- 20 years of Experience
- United States
- Aventura, Florida
- Visit Website
Languages: English, Spanish
Treatment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, EMDR, Hypnotherapy, Integrative, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Trauma Focused
State Licenses: Florida and Georgia
Arthur Belmont
- 24 years of Experience
- United States
- Tampa, Florida
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, Anger Management, Anxiety, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Drug Abuse, Family Conflict, Immigration Issues, Infidelity, Internet Addiction, Marital / Premarital, Military, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Sexual Addiction, Transgender, Trauma / PTSD
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
State Licenses: California, Florida, Michigan and Texas
Lisa de Geneste
- 28 years of Experience
- United States
- Ft Lauderdale, Florida
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Academic issues, Adoption, Anxiety, Career Counseling, Coping With Medical Issues, Divorce, Immigration Issues, Infertility, Infidelity, Life Coaching, Marital / Premarital, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Racial Identity, Self Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Transgender, Weight Loss
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, EMDR, Family / Marital, Feminist, Humanistic, Hypnotherapy, Interpersonal, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Multicultural, Psychodynamic, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Somatic, Trauma Focused
State Licenses: California, Florida and New York
II. The Best Therapists in Gainesville, FL
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On this list, you’ll find the top 15 therapists in Gainesville. Therapists were evaluated on eight key factors, including specializations, credentials, cost, and accessibility. When choosing a therapist, consider these factors to find the one that best meets your mental health needs. |
Choosing the Best Gainesville, FL TherapistsCredentialsOnly licensed professional therapists were considered to ensure you receive the highest quality of care. In Florida, therapists must have a master’s degree in an accredited mental health program, a passing score on the National Counselor Examination, and hundreds of hours of supervised clinical experience. AccessibilityThe right therapist for you should have flexible office hours and offer remote online counseling sessions when you can’t attend in-person appointments. Therapists with a variety of specializations and approaches to care were included. CostQuality counseling doesn’t have to be out of your budget. With sliding scale options, low-cost sessions, and other payment plans, you can get mental health care that’s affordable for you. |
Debbi Dykes-Howe: M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC | Best for anxiety support
Website
352-373-5115
Debbi Dykes-Howe has more than 26 years of counseling experience with adults and adolescents in both individual and group therapy settings. She helps clients develop fresh perspectives on life and strategies for dealing with anxiety and depression. Other services include family therapy, child play therapy, and clinical hypnosis.
What patients say: “It’s very rare to find a therapist that leaves a lasting impact on your life and Debbi truly helped me through a lot of anxiety, heartbreak, and self-esteem struggles.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety and depression, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem problems, Attention disorders/ ADHD, Eating disorders, Family problems, Anger/impulse control problems, Grief/loss | BlueCross and BlueShield, Florida Blue, TRICARE, United Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $80 – $140/session | Yes | Yes |
Gary Roy Geffken: Ph.D. | Best for supportive therapy
Website
352-377-1426
Dr. Geffken treats patients suffering from a number of mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, adjustment disorder, and disruptive behavior problems in children. His main approaches to care are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and supportive therapy for families and other loved ones. He also offers forensic psychology services and evaluations for people seeking a mental health diagnosis.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Adjustment Disorders, Disruptive Behavior Problems | Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross and BlueShield, Cigna, Florida Blue, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $40 – $130/session | Yes | Yes |
Jennifer P. Taylor: M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC | Best for child therapy
Website
352-642-0451
For over 20 years, Jennifer Taylor has helped children learn to cope with grief, trauma, and negative feelings caused by low self-esteem. She teaches kids how to navigate big life changes, such as divorce or moving to a new home, as well as bullying and other problems at school. Jennifer uses games, art, and play therapy to encourage children to express their thoughts.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Grief, Family Changes, School Success Skills, Self Esteem, Social Skills, Self Regulation, Trauma | N/A | Cost per Session: $80 – $120/session | Yes | No |
Lisa Wolcott: M.S.W., LCSW, CDWF, CGP | Best for mindfulness counseling
Website
352-363-1998
As a certified ‘daring way facilitator,’ Lisa Wolcott believes that all people have a right to fulfillment and contentment in their daily lives. She works with patients to explore feelings of shame, courage, vulnerability, and worthiness. Her therapeutic approach guides clients to examine unhelpful thoughts and make new choices that can lead to more authentic living. Counseling is available for individuals, couples, parents, and groups.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Relationship Issues, Depression, Self Esteem | Beacon, BlueCross and BlueShield, Florida Blue, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $170 – $200/session | No | Yes |
Kathleen Joseph: LMHC | Best for student athletes
Website
352-246-3693
Kathleen Joseph specializes in mental health support for young adults and student athletes. She understands the stresses that student athletes routinely face and helps them work through life changes throughout high school, college, and beyond. Her office provides a safe space to talk about difficult issues, such as past traumas and gender identity concerns. Kathleen also welcomes adults for individual and couples counseling.
What patients say: “Therapy with Kathleen has helped me to recognize and handle situations in my life that were difficult before.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Concerns, Sexual and Gender Identity, Survivors of Trauma, (including sexual trauma), Life Transitions, Loss of a Loved One, Adjusting to College, Life transitions | ComPsych, TRICARE | Cost per Session: $120+/session | No | Yes |
Meghan Hamblet: M.A., LMHC | Best for family therapy
Website
352-541-0421
One of Meghan’s areas of expertise is helping families who feel they’re growing apart, arguing too much, or no longer working as a team. She guides family members to bond over happy memories and teaches them new ways to listen to each other in a respectful, encouraging way. Meghan especially enjoys working with children, teens, and young adults. Individual counseling is offered for all age groups.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Child or Adolescent, Coping Skills, Peer Relationships | Out of Network | Cost per Session: $100 – $125/session | Yes | Yes |
Susan L. Crews: LMHC, NCC | Best for EMDR therapy
Website
386-717-6134
Susan Crews is a solution-oriented therapist who uses eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to treat patients who have PTSD and other problems caused by disturbing life experiences. Patients with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, or insomnia may benefit from her drug-free neurofeedback healing technique.
What patients say: “This incredibly kind and qualified woman saved my life, but she is too humble to realize just how much she helped me.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Grief and loss, Depression, Psychotherapy, Anxiety and Stress, Anger Management, Addiction, Career Counseling | N/A | Cost per Session: $95-$175/45 to 60-minute session | No | No |
Corinne Edwards: Ed.S., LMHC | Best for resilience counseling
Website
352-325-2878
Corinne Edwards focuses on teaching patients ways to remain resilient and bounce back from setbacks, disappointments, and other difficult times in their lives. She uses EMDR to help kids and adults overcome feelings of fear and anxiety after they’ve been through an emotionally distressing event. Corinne also provides specialized therapy for first responders and other professionals who work in fields where PTSD is common.
What patients say: “Corinne practices with warmness and precision. I am forever thankful.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD, Depression | Out of Network | Cost per Session: $120+/session | No | Yes |
Bhakti Cohen: M.Ed., Ed.S., LMFT | Best for premarital and marriage counseling
Website
352-514-4648
Bhakti Cohen’s major focus is on providing premarital counseling that can help couples resolve communication problems, discuss intimacy issues, and talk about their expectations for marriage. She also assists struggling married couples, and if a couple decides to divorce, she works with them to keep the separation as peaceful as possible. Divorcing couples with kids will learn skills for amicable co-parenting, which can reduce the stress children may feel during this difficult time.
What patients say: “Bhakti is an intelligent, compassionate and caring therapist.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Relationship Issues, Family Conflict, Divorce | N/A | Cost per Session: $120 – $150/session | Yes | Yes |
Monica R. Grey: LCSW, LMT | Best for emotional freedom techniques (EFT)
Website
352-222-8126
Aside from traditional individual talk therapy, Monica Grey prefers to treat patients with Reiki energy healing, therapeutic massage, and a Chinese medicine technique known as EFT. This method involves tapping on acupuncture points and can be used to reduce repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety and distress. She is also trained in inspirational breathwork, which uses music, artwork, and creative writing sessions to help clients gain insight into their lives.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Relationship Issues, Child or Adolescent, Divorce | Aetna, Beacon, Beech Street, BlueCross and BlueShield, Cigna, Florida Blue, TRICARE | Cost per Session: $75/session | Yes | No |
Emily K. Gray: M.S., LMFT | Best for trauma recovery
Website
352-225-3360
Emily Gray has more than six years of experience working with children, teens, and adults who have experienced trauma and other emotionally distressing events. CBT is her main therapeutic technique, which she uses to assist patients with understanding the connection between their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Emily provides a nonjudgmental space that encourages collaboration during individual and family therapy sessions.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Trauma and PTSD, Child or Adolescent, Depression | N/A | Cost per Session: $70 – $120/session | Yes | Yes |
Rebecca Frye: LCSW | Best for meditation therapy
Website
352-231-3658
For more than 10 years, Rebecca Frye has worked with individuals and couples who want to change their lives for the better. She uses an eclectic approach to care with techniques from several therapeutic traditions, including mindfulness meditation, positive psychology, and family dynamics. Rebecca treats patients with depression and anxiety, as well as those struggling with trauma symptoms and PTSD.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression, Anxiety, Grief | AvMed, BlueCross and BlueShield, ComPsych, Florida Blue, Magellan, University of Florida EAP, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $85 for 45 minutes and $125 for 90 minutes | Yes | Yes |
Maria Gonzales-Torres: D.B.H., M.S.W., LCSW| Best for virtual counseling
Website
352-329-1155
Dr. Maria Gonzales-Torres offers convenient virtual psychotherapy sessions that enable clients to get help for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns from the comfort of home. Her services are geared toward people with busy schedules who want to make a significant change in their lives. Bilingual therapy is available, with sessions offered in English and Spanish.
What patients say: “A very patient and friendly professional that can guide you through your struggles and help you heal from past trauma.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression & Anxiety, Trauma & PTSD, | ComPsych, Florida Blue, Humana Medicare, New Directions | Cost per Session: $65 – $240/session | No | Yes |
Dr. JD Wright: Ph.D. | Best for personal growth and improvement
Website
352-448-1365
As a resident associate of Stretch Performance Psychology, Dr. Wright specializes in personal and career development, anxiety, identity issues, and trauma recovery. He is trained in EMDR and other mindfulness-based therapies, including compassion-focused therapy (CFT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Dr. Wright also offers relationship counseling based on the proven Gottman couples therapy model. Diagnostic assessments are available for personality disorders, ADHD, and learning disorders.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD | Out of Network | Cost per Session: $125-150/hour | No | Yes |
Donna LaBarge: Ph.D. | Best for eating disorders and self-harm
Website
352-264-6789
Dr. LaBarge walks with clients on their journey to recovery from eating disorders, body image issues, and self-harming behaviors. She treats patients with an intuitive, non-dieting therapeutic approach and teaches them how to have a healthy relationship with food. Dr. LaBarge also leads dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) group sessions that serve as a supplement to individual therapy. These groups are designed to facilitate interpersonal dialogue and social skills development, which can help patients learn to navigate through difficult life situations.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety, Couples Therapy, DBT Skills, Depression, Eating Disorders, Self-Harm, Sexual Orientation and Identity, Trauma Recovery, Wellness & Personal Growth | N/A | Cost per Session: $135 – $150/session | No | Yes |
III. What You Should Know About Gainesville Therapy
How are Gainesville therapists licensed?
In Florida, a licensed mental health counselor must hold a master’s degree in a regionally accredited counseling program or closely related field. They must also pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and complete courses on HIV/AIDS, laws and rules, and domestic violence from an approved provider. Additionally, two years of post-master’s supervised experience is required, including 1,500 hours of face-to-face client psychotherapy.
How much does therapy cost in Gainesville?
Therapy in Gainesville costs an average of $65 to $150, with some therapists charging as little as $40 and more than $200 on the high end. Several therapists in Gainesville accept major health insurance plans, and some offer low-cost sessions for students from the University of Florida and other schools. Therapists who don’t take insurance may offer a discounted rate or sliding scale option based on the patient’s ability to pay.
Start searching for your online counselor now!
IV. Sources
- Florida Board of Clinical Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling | Last accessed November 2024
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination | Last accessed November 2024
- National Counselor Examination | Last accessed November 2024