Therapists in Downtown, Sarasota, FL

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Sex Therapist. I trained at the University of Pennsylvania and have been in practice for over 35 years specializing in both individual and couples therapy. I treat anxiety disorders, depression, relationship problems (including difficulties with communication and sexual functioning), body image issues, the challenges of life transitions (divorce, death of a loved one, relocation, retirement, health problems), as well as gay, lesbian, and gender identity issues.

I provide a safe environment to explore and resolve beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that stand in the way of living a fully conscious and authentic life. Specialties include work with anxiety, depression, trauma, divorce, death, attachment ruptures, and ancestral/ inter-generational shame, and PTSD. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have studied at the Graduate Theological Union - University of California, Berkeley, The Graduate School for Marriage and Family Therapy, Ca.Institute of Integral Studies (San Francisco), and The Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. I hold two Masters degrees and a Ph D in Psychology.

Our practice helps individuals to cope with stress, conflict, crisis and trauma in different ways. We help you to create your own path; helping you to improve your overall mental and physical health so that you may find peace and purpose in life.

Are you overwhelmed by depression, guilt, anger, fear, alcoholism, drug addition, grief, or heartbreak and feel out of control of your life or relationships? My practice focuses on the individual, family, and marriage in a Christ-centered counseling setting. With a Doctorate in Education-Pastoral Counseling/ MBA in Business, I provide a unique form of therapy addressing your spiritual and professional needs collectively. I seek to assist you in re-shaping the circumstances that have temporarily gotten you off track. You may have experienced a setback but working together we can make this a SET UP for something GREAT!

Welcome and thank you for visiting and taking the first step to personal well-being. People seek out psychotherapy for many reasons. My focus is to help identify what is most important to you in your life that you wish to strengthen and express more fully, even if you are facing difficulties right now. What may appear as obstacles at first can merely be stepping-stones to your deepest fulfillment. I welcome the opportunity to take part of that journey with you in a confidential environment committed to sensitivity and compassion with proven strategies that motivate and encourage continued success.

I am an experienced therapist working with individuals and families for over 20 years. During this time, I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults. My clients begin therapy as a means of overcoming obstacles or issues that prevent them from moving forward toward the individual goals they have set for themselves.I help them assess and explore clear and realistic goals. My early expertise working was with adolescents with social, emotional, family or school issues. The diversity of having worked in mental health, abuse/trauma, community education & private practice has helped me adopt a versatile tailored approach to treatment.

Sincerity, empathy, compassion and authenticity all important to the therapeutic relationship. I am a licensed clinical social worker with experience in treating children, adolescents, adults, elders and couples. I have a warm, caring approach to assessment and treatment focusing on anxiety, trauma, depression, psychological aspects of illness, life transitions, family issues, and marital or relationship concerns. Therapy modalities include: CBT, Mindfulness, DBT, ACT, Solution-Focused and Family Systems. All therapy is tailored to the individual and or couple and their unique circumstances.

I believe that each person has the potential to live the life they truly want and that lasting change is possible. As a strengths-based therapist, I help a client find their strengths are built on and utilized in therapy to help the client work through the difficulties they are experiencing. I create a space where you can tell me anything without fear of judgment or me telling you how you should live life. Therapy is an interactive process and it shouldn’t look the same for each person. I love helping people build their confidence and becoming more assertive. I want to help you build the skills to live your life to the fullest!

Accepting New Clients -Treating Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Bipolar or troubled relationships. Together we will unstuck life by finding the balance you are looking for. You deserve to be heard. Life can be overwhelming. It is time to take care of YOU. I am glad you are taking the first steps to feel better and resolve the concerns that have been bothering you and keeping you away from living the meaningful happier life you want to live. Perhaps you've been struggling with depression, anxiety, grief or troubled marital relationships? Maybe you've had a crisis and need help to get back on track, let's start to rebuild you back up.

While our outer lives may seem well organized, our inner lives are often plagued with unexpressed conflict and confusion. Those who dare to cultivate self-awareness are often surprised by its healing effects - that the process itself unlocks energy and propels one forward. It is never too late. I look forward to witnessing your transformation and discovering how your unique set of issues and ways of working come to bear in the therapeutic alliance that will be uniquely ours.

Fear of the unknown can be scary and overwhelming ,Being able to adapt to the new world changes and life transitions can be very challenging. I can empower you and help you develop new skills and self-confidence in these uncertain times.

Are you wanting more intimacy? Are you and your partner constantly arguing and not connecting? Are you struggling with your mental health, your relationships, spirituality, and sex and you need someone to talk to and find some resources and solutions. If you need solutions, I can help. I offer TeleMental Health, Online Counseling, EMDR, Retreats and Gottman services for individuals, couples, and families. I specialize in anxiety, relationships, communication, intimacy, and sex. I offer free resources & information through my website, books, and through my podcast called "Bringing Intimacy Back".

Accepting new clients September, 2024. Empowering Minds and Healing Hearts... I am a strengths - based, holistic psychotherapist. You're stressed, anxious, or depressed. I get it. I've been there myself. Or perhaps you've been dealing with the same issues for many years without ever fully resolving them. My personal motto is that you are not your depression. You are not your anxiety. You are also not your past. Working with me you'll discover how to finally heal your emotional wounds. The life you're meant to live, as you define it, is waiting for you.

Struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other difficulties? Do you find life's transitions difficult? Create the life you love! As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, I am certified in Brainspotting, a cutting-edge therapy that helps people process deeply-felt experiences presenting barriers to fulfilling lives. Experience working with: Individuals, couples, families, experiencing anxiety, depression, GLBT issues, domestic violence, sports trauma, performance in athletes, musicians, actors, and test-taking anxiety. Independently licensed in MN, WI, FL, NE, WY. Let's begin creating your happier, healthier life!

My approach to counseling is framed around two perspectives. The first is that each individual knows themselves best. Because of that belief I am available to help individuals achieve the change they seek based on an understanding that each person may just need some guidance to access the knowledge they already have inside of them. The second perspective involves not dwelling on the origins of problems. Knowing the roots of a problem doesn't mean that the effects of a problem suddenly disappear. I often rely on a solutions focused approach rather than a problem centric focus with helping individuals work toward change.

At the core of healing and growth is a solid and caring relationship with oneself and others. I aim to foster this while addressing your specific needs. I honor each individual I meet with and take a uniquely tailored and collaborative approach to therapy. Pursuing your goals with creativity, compassion and humor can help make the "work" of therapy flow more naturally and comfortably. I can help you gain insight in addressing various aspects of your individualized healing process holistically, which may include expressive art therapy, nature therapy, relational-cultural therapy as well as more traditional approaches.

"Our goal is to get you back to being you". Psychological services are offered for depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and relationship difficulties. Dr. McKay is a clinical psychologist providing evidence-based treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral or dialectical behavioral therapy. She has extensive experience working with patients who have eating disorders or medical problems, as well as onducting psychological evaluations. Dr. McKay is also a Level 2 Gottman Therapist using an evidence-based method to help couples build a better relationship. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care in the community and treat all of our patients with respect and compassion.

“Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” The poet Mary Oliver nails us with this question. Not being afraid of the wild, and finding your way to the precious, requires your most curious, present and compassionate self. When that self eludes you—which it does for all of us now and then—it’s lonely and frightening. Where did your clarity and intuition go? Why can’t you feel yourself anymore?

I empower individuals, families, and couples to live life to their fullest. I believe strongly in helping clients to help themselves. We are not robots. We are humans. As humans, we are not perfect and we all have emotions. Embracing and accepting our emotions is a key component in moving towards reaching our goals. I provide care, support, and guidance in working with clients while they participate in therapy. This is a collaborative and team approach. Since we are not robots, I work with everyone on an individualized (non-cookie cutter) basis unique to their situation.