Abraham Knowles
Hello! My name is Abraham Knowles and am a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience in Florida. I earned my Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from the University of South Florida in 1995. I have since worked as a school social worker and also have worked in a variety of other fields including community mental health, substance abuse, and home health. I have worked with clients in a variety of modalities including individual, group, and family counseling as well as case management. I draw from a variety of counseling approaches but mostly cognitive behavioral and humanistic/ client centered therapies. I have helped clients with many presenting problems, especially depression, anxiety, and trauma. Outside of my work as a therapist/ social worker, I enjoy reading, movies, and theater as well as spending time with my wife (married 31 years) son (25), daughter (21), and grandson (4) at their various activities. I have been a volunteer with my church’s youth group for over 20 years. It takes courage to seek support to work through difficult issues and I’m proud of you for taking that first, very important step. I love listening to and supporting people through difficult circumstances and working with them to develop and implement a plan for improvement. I would love to work with you to provide support and assistance as you work toward symptom reduction, confidence, improved relationships, life purpose, and positive change.
Dr. Carol Parham
As a licensed therapist in Florida, I bring over 15 years of dedicated experience supporting individuals through life's complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients navigate challenging transitions, heal from past traumas, and rediscover their inner strength. I specialize in supporting older adults, addressing issues like aging, attachment, and life purpose with compassionate, evidence-based approaches. My therapeutic work focuses on helping individuals overcome communication barriers, process posttraumatic experiences, and rebuild self-esteem. I understand that each person's journey is unique, and I strive to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their challenges and develop meaningful coping strategies. Whether you're experiencing stress, anxiety, or working through significant life changes, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and professional expertise. My goal is to empower you to create positive, sustainable transformations in your life.
Margaret Johnston
I am a LMHC therapist, public speaker community organizer, social and environmental activist and have been listening for decades. I received my formal education at University of North Florida as Master of Clinical Psychotherapy, 2013. I also took a 9-month internship under Ed Wilder, in Clinical Pastoral Education, in deep listening. I worked in the Talk program at Wounded Warrior for 8 months- the warriors talked; I listened. Did you go through trauma? Are you, right now, in a high stress situation? Do you keep losing your patience or your professionalism at the wrong moment and you don’t know why? Do you keep getting in your own way? I use Trauma Supportive Therapy to safely address, as slowly as need be, the pain of the past that keeps coming to trip your defenses at all the wrong moments, in your present. I can be that supporting presence who will help sort it out by listening- really hearing you. Reflect your depth of feelings back to you. Validate what are your unmet emotional needs. I practice the therapy of defining personal meaning, so, together we will facilitate your thinking of your options, planning, purpose, and goals for living a meaningful life without being afraid of tripping over your past or yourself. I practice person centered therapy by meeting you where you are. I strive to be culturally sensitive, non-prejudicial and use strength-based therapy as a jump point, truly believing I am the guide for you, but you are the treasure/wisdom keeper. Of all the reasons people come to therapy: anger, guilt, anxiety, changes, transitions, depression, trauma, jealousy, and “it is just not working anymore”, the extra burden of race and racism is more than just a nuance to be nodded at in therapy. I will view race as central to all the other pieces, when it is central to you. I am inclusive, secular, competent, affirming and non-judgmental. I have worked with people in transition, people who are very much defined, “but things got complicated”, people in the communities of LGBTQA, Polyamory, Kink, non-gendered. Each are safe and welcome here.
April Lewis
I am a licensed Clinician and Certified Tele-mental therapist with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients various issues including stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship and family issues, & coping with grief and loss. 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.
Suzanne Stokes
As a licensed therapist in Florida, I bring nearly four decades of compassionate clinical experience to supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My approach is deeply rooted in understanding the nuanced emotional landscapes of personal growth, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and self-esteem concerns. I am dedicated to creating a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic environment where clients can explore their inner experiences, heal from past wounds, and develop meaningful strategies for personal transformation. My practice centers on empowering individuals to navigate life transitions, overcome social anxieties, and cultivate deeper self-understanding. My professional focus spans a wide range of human experiences—from workplace stress and family dynamics to multicultural challenges, trauma recovery, and personal identity exploration. I approach each client's journey with genuine empathy, respect, and a commitment to helping them discover their inherent strengths and resilience. Special****October through January 1st I have a goal of meeting 12 new clients to begin this wonderful work! Won't you sign up with me? I can be fluid with my schedule if you don't find the right time to meet on my Better Help schedule. I can't wait to meet you. Let's talk!
Pamela Johnson
As a licensed therapist in Florida with over two decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice focuses on helping clients work through stress, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and life transitions with compassion and expertise. I have deep experience supporting older adults, women, veterans, and caregivers through challenging personal journeys. My approach centers on addressing guilt, shame, and healing from past experiences, with a particular emphasis on fostering self-esteem and personal growth. My therapeutic style is rooted in understanding each person's unique story. I work collaboratively to help clients develop resilient coping strategies, process difficult emotions, and move toward meaningful personal transformation. Whether you're struggling with addiction, managing life changes, or healing from past trauma, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy and professional guidance.
Dr. Sarita Schapiro
Are you having trouble coping with everyday problems? Do you feel overwhelmed in trying to deal with a close personal relationship? Is your child or teen struggling or making poor choices, or are the challenges of parenting too much to handle? Are you going through a difficult life transition? Life situations can be stressful and can lead us to question our judgment and fill us with self-doubt. You try to address the issue, even with the support of family and friends, but this often does not lead to effective solutions. You may become depressed, frustrated, angry or anxious, or have difficulty managing your daily responsibilities. I am a Florida licensed Psychologist with over 30 years experience working in private practice and a variety of public settings, including clinics, hospitals, universities and correctional facilities. I served as expert witness in forensic cases involving trauma, head injury and custody. I am a bi-lingual (Spanish/English) therapist working with individuals, families and couples from different backgrounds. I develop a solution-focused dialogue to identify the problems that bring you in and re-frame them into realistic, workable goals. My aim is for you to leave each session feeling that you have learned a new way to approach your specific situation with strategies to try until our next appointment. My objective is to make every session productive. I combine cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapeutic approaches in therapy. My goal is to help you build resilience in dealing with life’s stresses. I focus on life skills coaching, parent guidance, problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and remediation using behavioral and practical strategies.
Diane Petersen
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. I have been providing counselling services in an inpatient and outpatient setting for over 20 years. My therapeutic approach is simple. I actively listen without judgment so I can provide the best quality care for all my clients. I have extensive experience helping clients manage stress and anxiety, cope with addictions, and recover from trauma, abuse, grief and loss. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Brittany Dunn
I’m Brittany, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida with 10 years of experience in the mental health field. I work with adults who may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally exhausted, or unsure of how to move forward. Many of my clients are navigating depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, low self-esteem, stress, or major life transitions. My style is warm, collaborative, and practical. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can speak openly without judgment while also gaining tools that help you make meaningful changes in everyday life. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and person-centered approaches to help clients better understand patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, strengthen coping and communication skills, and move toward their goals with greater clarity and confidence. I believe you do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We can begin with where you are now and work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you. For clients who would like faith to be part of the process, I am also comfortable incorporating Christian beliefs and values into our work. "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein
Anthia Casanova
I am licensed in Florida with 16 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, LGBTQ-related issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story, and you have many strengths that will help with 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 your journey.
Reginald Bruno
I am licensed in Florida. Virginia, Washington DC, Oregon, and New York with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping adult clients cope with and manage stress and anxiety, and a range of many other co-occurring disorders. I have helped clients coping with addictions, grief and loss, improving motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I have a good working and interactive experience with my clients to create an open and safe environment where their 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.
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.
Lisa Maulding Anthony
As a licensed therapist in Florida, I bring over two decades of compassionate mental health experience to my practice. My professional journey has been dedicated to supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes, with specialized expertise in clinical hypnotherapy, depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, grief counseling, and self-esteem development. I approach therapy as a collaborative partnership, creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their challenges, develop meaningful insights, and cultivate personal growth. My therapeutic style is rooted in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to understanding each individual's unique experiences and strengths. Through evidence-based practices and a person-centered approach, I work alongside clients to help them build resilience, develop effective coping strategies, and move toward healing. I believe that every person has the inner resources to transform their life, and my role is to provide guidance, support, and professional insight throughout their journey.
Dedra McIntosh
As a licensed therapist in Florida, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients heal from trauma, manage anxiety and depression, and develop stronger interpersonal relationships. With a deep commitment to culturally responsive care, I create a compassionate space where we can together explore your unique experiences and challenges. My therapeutic approach focuses on building self-love, addressing communication barriers, and working through feelings of guilt and shame. I understand the profound impact of attachment issues and caregiver stress, and I'm dedicated to guiding clients toward emotional resilience and personal growth. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I aim to empower individuals to reconnect with their inner strength, heal from past wounds, and cultivate healthier, more fulfilling life patterns. Every client's journey is sacred, and I'm honored to walk alongside them with empathy, respect, and genuine care.
*BetterHelp insurance availability, coverage, and cost may vary by state, plan, provider network, therapist availability, and deductible status.
Find a therapist near you in Plains, Florida
Finding a therapist near you in Plains, 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 Plains.
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 Plains, Florida
Ready to begin? BetterHelp can match you with a licensed therapist serving Plains and the surrounding FL area. When you are ready to take the next step, get started.