Leslie McRae
Welcome! If you're looking for help with anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, or depression. I offer non-judgmental support to help you face your challenges and move forward in your life. As a seasoned therapist with over thirty years of clinical experience, I will help you better understand yourself and give you tools to help you achieve your goals. My style is personable and interactive so that you will feel both supported and, at times, challenged. I offer weekday phone sessions between 11 am and 4 pm, which you can schedule through the website calendar or by contacting me. I offer messaging between sessions also. I will always respond to you within 24 hours of contact, often sooner. While I do check messages on evenings and weekends, I do not, at this time, offer evening or weekend sessions. Thanks again for visiting my site. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you feel better and live more productively. Thanks, Les
Melissa Pesce
Meaningful change happens when you feel both supported and challenged. My approach is direct, supportive and compassionate. Creating a space where you can feel safe to explore your experiences while being encouraged to move toward your goals. I am passionate about empowering individuals to recognize their strengths, deepen their self-awareness, and develop the insight needed to create lasting change. Together, we will work to bring greater clarity, direction, and purpose to your life while fostering accountability, growth, and personal evolution. I strive to create an open-minded, nonjudgmental environment that promotes healing, resilience, and transformation. Whether you are navigating relationship challenges, life transitions, anxiety, or personal growth, I will meet you where you are while helping you move toward where you want to be. My integrative therapeutic approach combines trauma-focused, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness-based interventions tailored to your unique needs and goals. I also incorporate evidence-based techniques including strengths-based, solution-focused, family systems, holistic, client-centered, and culturally sensitive approaches. By drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities, I am able to provide individualized care that supports healing, fosters self-discovery, and empowers you to create meaningful and sustainable change. Please feel free to reach out about my office hours. I offer 30 minute video or phone sessions. I look forward to helping you grow and move you forward into the next chapter in your life. Let’s get started!
Shirley Louisor
Life is ever changing; the challenge is to be able to manage and keep moving forward while maintaining a positive and healthy mindset. Most of the time the answers to our questions, fears and even desires are just a matter of reaching forward to take action and working through it. Let's work together, I'm here to help. We are communal beings and benefit from the assistance of someone coming along side us to help. That is what I believe therapy is a collaborative effort to reach your desired goals. I am a graduate of Regent University (2011) with a Master's degree in counseling, a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. As an outpatient therapist, I enjoy working with individuals, families, and children. I have extensive experience working with groups, individual counseling, premarital, marital, couples, family relationships, adults, adolescents and children. I have worked with children in schools as a therapeutic day counselor, intensive in-home counselor working with at- risk children and their families. I have also facilitated support groups for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety and bipolar.
Ian Aiuto
Developing a meaningful connection with a personal therapist can lead to long-lasting benefits. While this may prove difficult for some, therapist Ian Aiuto helps clients identify ways to overcome the factors that often prevent them from leading the life they ultimately desire. If you don't have a good relationship with your counselor, you won't make progress you are hoping to achieve. I want to provide you with some information about me to help you decide if my experience and style is the right match for you Barriers may include: Anxiety Depression Grief or loss Relationship and boundary issues Substance Use Disorder Sex Addiction "Most people will encounter anxiety and depression at some point in their life, but many will not seek help," Ian says. "It takes great strength to seek help. I want clients to recognize that there is assistance available to them." Therapy can help conquer feelings of: Shame Embarrassment Helplessness Hopelessness Ian will assist you: Discover solutions to your difficulties Engage in beneficial behaviors and thought patterns Remain neutral Help with accountability Ian's work as an adult medical social worker has given him useful insight and experience in helping people overcome grief, manage mental health issues, and find helpful resources in your area. When you're confronted with a personal crisis, talking to a trained therapist can help you conquer those things that hold you back. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Ian T Aiuto MSW, LCSW
Penny Howland
Penny has always practiced in a blend of medical and mental health settings in various venues and with many different populations, including dialysis, the terminally ill, grieving, substance abuse, adjustment disorders of all kinds. Penny uses whatever treatment modality is best to meet patients' goals . She believes strongly in the mind-body connection and has great respect for the resilience of the human being and the ability to adapt to life with balance and comfort. Penny received her BA and MSW from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. She is a member of ACSW and NASW. Also CAP for all addictions.
Lynda Wright
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in the state of Florida with 17 years of experience. I have worked with people who have been challenged by trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety and life changing situations. I have additionally worked with people struggling with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. My approach is solution focused, client centered, client strength based with a focus of using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. When working with clients I strive to make their experience positive, genuine, respectful and safe. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have the strengths needed to make positive changes in your life. I understand that seeking therapy takes courage and I am glad you have decided to begin your journey. I look forward to meeting you and working with you to assist you in identifying your goals and achieving them.
Connie Hobbs
Hi , my name is Connie Hobbs and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Addictions Professional in Florida. I have worked over 12+ years in the field of counseling. I have had the pleasure of working with all populations including adults, teens, and children. I have two Masters from Stetson University, one of which is in Counselor Education and the other is in Mental Health. I believe education along with life experience makes the most complete and empathetic therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, parenting problems, ADHD, and foster care and adoption to name a few . My counseling style is warm, friendly, and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My therapeutic styles are eclectic utilizing cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused approaches. I feel it is not a one size fits all approach. The therapeutic relationship is utilized to achieve your desired result. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out, come here, share, and want a more fulfilling and happier life, and I want to take those steps towards change with you! If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!
Dr. Virginia Clark
FEEL YOUR INNER PEACE AND START SMILING AGAIN Are you depressed and down most of the day? Do you feel victimized at work or at home? Do you feel that no one cares? Do you say YES when you really mean NO? When you say NO do you feel guilty? Will you do anything for love and attention? If you answered yes to any of these questions I can help. Depression, stress, anxiety, substance-abuse, PTSD, anger, and other emotional issues take years off of your life. Emotional issues are responsible for many diseases including but not limited to Crohn’s, IBS, gastritis, heart conditions, etc. I am a licensed clinical social worker, registered nurse, certified Substance Abuse professional with a 30 year clinical background. I work with patients to help them overcome their various emotional challenges and regain control of their lives. I utilize many various therapy approaches to fit each patient including Solution focused, mindfulness, rational emotive therapy, reality therapy/cognitive behavioral therapy, grief therapy, critical incident, Addiction counseling, medical counseling and more. My specialties include: * Addiction/drug abuse/alcohol abuse * Mood disorders (depression, anxiety, anger) * Codependency *. Domestic violence/abuse * stress management There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I look forward to meeting you
Luciana Smalls
I am a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in South Carolina with over 8 years of experience working as a mental health professional and over 20 years working in the human services field. I have experience working with a diverse population of clients that have challenges with depression, anxiety, adoption, relationship issues, parenting, changes in life, ADHD, ODD, foster care, and addiction. My therapy style is nurturing, challenging and supportive. It is my passion to assist you with skills and strategies to transform your challenges to strengths. I demonstrate professionalism by treating clients as an individual, being respectful, compassionate, knowledges of different cultures and values, sexual orientation, and identity. My therapy approaches combines cognitive-behavioral and humanistic also using motivational interviewing, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and creative therapy. Each individual with create a treatment plan to address challenges/needs/ goals. Addressing challenges, making changes, or facing fear is not easy, yet can be rewarding. It takes overcoming fear to transform your life to evolve into the better version of yourself. I am her to equip you with the skills needed to archive your goals. I am excited for you to take the next step. Thank you in advance for allowing me to assist you
Cassandra Sams
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families. I spent 2 years of my career working at a Children's Advocacy Center, 7 years working in an Adolescent treatment facility, 6 years in private practice, and 2 years in a family counseling center. I have helped others with a wide range of challenges such as anxiety and depression, self-injurious behaviors, low self-esteem, co-dependency concerns, sexual trauma, as well as relationship concerns amongst couples and amongst family members. I have a Specialist in Education degree from Georgia State University and I am Licensed to practice in both Georgia and Florida. When working with clients I use a blend of cognitive-behavioral approaches as well as reality therapy and humanistic approaches. You will find that I enjoy the creative processes as well and may encourage clients to engage in art therapy techniques in order to stimulate a different way of thinking about life's challenges. My goal for clients is for them to feel safe and to feel heard when they meet with me. Clients are the experts on their life obstacles and I view myself as merely a witness to the client's strength and resourcefulness as they overcome these obstacles. It is my sincerest desire to simply be a guide on the route to wholeness.
Rhonda McEntire
As a licensed therapist in Florida, I bring 25 years of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice centers on helping clients navigate emotional wellness, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, stress, and addiction. I offer a supportive, affirming therapeutic environment that honors each person's unique journey. My approach focuses on empowering individuals to develop self-love, overcome isolation, and rediscover life purpose. I'm particularly committed to working with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ communities, individuals experiencing workplace challenges, and those navigating significant life transitions. My therapeutic work encompasses a wide range of sensitive areas, including trauma recovery, relationship dynamics, chronic health challenges, and personal growth. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, develop resilient coping strategies, and move toward healing and self-understanding.
Rebekah Loe
Hi! I’m Bekah Loe. I am a trauma therapist located in Orlando. I specialize in working with queer trauma. I am passionate about helping my clients develop a deeper understanding of who they are and how they work. My goal as a therapist is to provide my clients with tools and insight that they can continue to use outside of therapy in everyday life.
Natalie Talpesh
I am licensed in Florida with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Joy Townsend
I am licensed in Florida and AL with 5 years of providing therapy services on an individual and group basis. I have over 24 years experience as a social worker. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey with kindness and compassion. I am an empathetic listener who is happy to help.
*BetterHelp insurance availability, coverage, and cost may vary by state, plan, provider network, therapist availability, and deductible status.
Find a therapist near you in Lake Placid, Florida
Finding a therapist near you in Lake Placid, Florida starts with matching to a licensed professional who fits your needs, schedule, and goals. Florida is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities, which can make it challenging to find care. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist through tailored matching, so you can begin care from home or wherever works for you.
The network includes over 30,000 licensed therapists globally, and over 4 million people have used BetterHelp to find support through online therapy. During matching, 93% of user preferences are met, which helps you connect with a therapist suited to what you are looking for. Whether you are searching for help with anxiety, trauma, affordable or insurance covered therapy, weekend or flexible scheduling, or virtual sessions, you can find a therapist and get started when you are ready.
Why work with a licensed therapist near you?
Working with a licensed therapist near you gives you access to professional mental health support from someone trained to help you understand and manage what you are going through. A licensed therapist can offer evidence-based approaches, a steady space to talk, and guidance tailored to your situation. In Florida, online therapy can make that care more accessible, since sessions happen from home or wherever you are, without the need to travel to an office. This can help if your schedule is full, if travel is difficult, or if you simply prefer a more discreet setting. You can learn more about what a therapist does on the therapist role page.
Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across Florida, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.
What concerns can therapists help with?
Therapists can help with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety and stress, depression, trauma and PTSD, self-esteem and identity, people-pleasing and fear of rejection, insomnia and racing thoughts, workplace stress and burnout, substance use, parenting and co-parenting stress, grief and loss, and relationship and family challenges. Therapists on BetterHelp may draw on approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), depending on your needs and goals. You can explore support for specific concerns on pages such as generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorders.
Please note that therapists on BetterHelp do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in Florida
Online therapy and in-person therapy both connect you with a licensed professional, and the main difference is how you meet. In Florida, online therapy through BetterHelp lets you have sessions by phone, video, or in-app messaging, so you can meet from home or on a schedule that fits your life. In-person therapy takes place at an office and may involve travel and set appointment windows. Online therapy may be more accessible for people with busy schedules, limited transportation, or a preference for a more discreet setting. Both formats can support meaningful progress, so the right choice often comes down to what fits your life.
Finding a therapist that accepts insurance in Florida
BetterHelp accepts insurance through many major insurance plans. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability, and deductible status. Eligible members' average copay is $23 per session.
You can check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site through the sign up flow. If you prefer to pay without insurance, BetterHelp subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per week, billed as an alternative way to access the same care, and you can use HSA and FSA funds toward the cost. For a full breakdown of how BetterHelp works with insurance plans, see BetterHelp insurance coverage.
How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in Florida
BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in Florida through personalized matching that considers your needs, preferences, and goals. After you answer a few questions during the sign up flow, you can be matched with a licensed therapist from a network of over 30,000 professionals, and 93% of user preferences are met during matching. The search and location matching cover common near-me needs, including anxiety, trauma, affordable or sliding-scale support, weekend or flexible scheduling, and virtual sessions. If your first match is not the right fit, you can switch therapists at no extra cost. When you are ready, you can get started and begin the process.
Therapists near you in Florida
Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across Florida, including residents in Lake Placid.
Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in Florida do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me
How much does therapy cost near me?
Therapy costs near you can vary by provider, format, and payment method. With BetterHelp, subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per week, and you can use HSA and FSA funds toward the cost. BetterHelp also accepts insurance through many major insurance plans, and eligible members' average copay is $23 per session. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability, and deductible status.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
Yes. BetterHelp accepts insurance through many major insurance plans. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability. Eligible members' average copay is $23 per session. Check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site through the sign up flow. For a full breakdown of how BetterHelp works with insurance plans, see BetterHelp insurance coverage.
Is online therapy effective?
Online therapy can be an effective way to receive licensed mental health care for many common concerns. Research suggests that online therapy may support progress in ways comparable to in-person care for concerns such as anxiety and depression. On BetterHelp, you connect with a licensed therapist who can use evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT, and you can meet by phone, video, or in-app messaging.
Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?
No, you do not need a diagnosis to see a therapist. Many people begin therapy to work through stress, life changes, relationships, or personal growth without any diagnosis. Please note that therapists on BetterHelp do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses. If you are looking for a starting point, personalized matching can connect you with a licensed therapist suited to your goals.
How quickly can I start therapy?
You can often start therapy within 24 to 48 hours of signing up with BetterHelp. After you answer a few questions during the sign up flow, personalized matching connects you with a licensed therapist, and you can schedule your first session once you are matched. This process is designed to help you begin care at your own pace, without a long wait.
Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?
Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.
Is online therapy discreet?
Online therapy with BetterHelp offers a discreet setting where you can connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home. Sessions take place by phone, video, or in-app messaging, so you can meet without going into an office. Your account and sessions are protected with strong safeguards, and you choose how and where you attend. This can make therapy feel more comfortable for people who prefer a discreet way to get support.
Find a Therapist in Lake Placid, Florida
Ready to begin? BetterHelp can match you with a licensed therapist serving Lake Placid and the surrounding FL area. When you are ready to take the next step, get started.