Meet Michelle, Florida Therapist for Recovery and Growth
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Natonal Certified Counselor, Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider
You want things to change, but you’re not sure where to start. That’s where I come in.
I’m going to help you sort through what to keep and what to change.
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Support you
Challenge you
Point out your strengths and build on them
Help you figure out what serves you and what doesn’t
Finding a Florida Therapist
So much of what destablizes our mental health stems from the threats we face in all areas of our lives. Exploring our responses to those threats is an extremely productive part of the therapeutic journey.
One of the very important aspects of how I show up in session is my use of The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF). This is an ideology that shifts our focus in therapy from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What’s happened to you?” If exploring that question jumps out at you as something you need to talk about in sessions to get what you need from therapy, I offer you a safe space to work through the answers.
Choosing a therapist is an emotional decision. You want to find a therapist you feel comfortable talking to in your most vulnerable moments. Some days you'll show up just wanting to vent. I’ll be there to listen on those days, because therapy is a safe space to let your feelings out. When you want to work on goals, we'll roll up our sleeves. I’ll bring passion and compassion to every session.
I’m not the kind of therapist who just tells you what to do, but I’ll offer suggestions if you ask for them. Clients describe me as someone who speaks the words they need to hear in gentle ways. I describe myself as someone who doesn’t hesitate to call you out when you’re self-sabotaging, but does so with empathy and tact.
I'm here to help you move forward. Our work will make it possible for you to take that intimidating leap from being stuck in old patterns that haven’t worked to feeling good about finding and trying out new ways that will.
Therapy for Intrusive Thoughts, Stuck Patterns, and Alcohol or Drug Use
Am I the right therapist for you?
I promise that you will never hear me say, “I’m not going to work harder at your therapy than you do.” That goes against everything I believe about what you have a right to expect from therapy. It’s my job to give you 100% — no matter what kind of energy you show up with.
Curious about the types of therapy I might use in our sessions? Take a deep dive on my methods page.
We are a good fit if:
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It’s scary as hell to practice your interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, and recovery skills out in the real world, especially with the people you love or work with. Therapy gives you a chance to rehearse, role-play, and flex new ways of thinking and responding in a safe space that doesn’t expect perfection.
After working through those tough moments in a place where you don’t have to hold it all together, you’re more likely to carry what you’ve learned into the situations that usually leave your shoulders tense and your jaw clenched.
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If you live with stress and anxiety every single day, you probalby want to learn how to manage them better. I’m guessing you've read a lot about coping skills, and you’ve even tried to work them into your life, but you haven’t been successful.
That’s where I can open up possibilities for you. As a therapist who uses DBT, positive psychology, and other strength-based methods, I can help you build confidence, gain self-efficacy, and find peace-of-mind.
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Is taking something or drinking something your go-to coping skill? Do you wonder sometimes if you’d recognize the signs and symptoms that it’s become a problem for you? I will be there alongside you as you face the answers to these questions.
Or maybe you've been in recovery from addiction for a while, but it seems like the only thing that's changed is that you're not using. If that’s not enough anymore, the reason is usually pretty simple: You want to feel better about yourself. As an experienced substance use therapist and a person with lived experience in long term recovery, I know how to take your recovery to the next level.
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If you’re someone who believes in spending time on personal growth and self-improvement, you know it can be tough to find a balance between challenging yourself and treating yourself with compassion.
Maybe you’re hoping therapy will give you the push you need to move forward—and it will. Therapy can help you reconnect with your purpose, remember what matters, and move ahead with a little more momentum and a lot more self-trust.
If it feels like you’ve forgotten who you are or why you should get up in the morning, that’s exactly the kind of stuck point I help people move through.
Start Feeling Better One Step at a Time
We are going to shift the focus from what you feel is wrong with you to what is already right.
That doesn’t mean we are going to ignore your problems or deny the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that cause trouble in your life. It means we are not going to obsess about them.
We are going to focus on solutions.
Choice is your superpower. Take control of your well-being.
Are you a detail person?
Here’s the nitty gritty on my training, education, and credentials.
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), State of Florida. See my license.
National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc.
Board-Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), Center for Credentialing & Education
Ongoing Education
I maintain my license and certifications with continuing education throughout the year. Feel free to look at the log of professional counseling workshops I have attended recently.
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Evergreen Certifications
Certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), Evergreen Certifications
SFBT Diamond Level 1 Certification, The Solution Focused Universe
Working with Trauma: Digital Credential, Mental Health Academy
TeleMental Health Training Certificate (THTC) from Telehealth Certification Institute
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Doctoral Candidate, Instructional Design and Technology, Nova Southeastern University. Expected graduation: December 2025.
2017 MA, Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media, Nova Southeastern University
2012 MS, Mental Health Counseling, Nova Southeastern University
1993 BA, Social Psychology, Florida Atlantic University
1993 Women's Studies Certificate, Florida Atlantic University
1991 AA, Psychology, Palm Beach Junior College
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Doctoral Candidate, Instructional Design and Technology, Nova Southeastern University. Expected graduation: December, 2025
IDOL courses Academy® Level 2: Instructional Designer, IDOL courses Academy. 2021
Storyline® for IDOLs®: Articulate Storyline® Skilled, IDOL courses Academy. 2021
IDOL courses Academy®: Learning Designer Credential, IDOL courses Academy. 2022
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Gould, M. R. (2020). Collegiate recovery programs: Stepping up to meet the need for distance service support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Distance Learning Journal, 17(3), 1-15.
Profile of the adaptations made by collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) to continue vital student support services online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gould, M. R. (2020). Thank You for Letting Me Share. In C. Lutkewitte, Writing in a Technological World, (pp. 345-353). Routledge.
Guide to Netiquette and intellectual property rights on social media.
Gould, M. R. (2015). Resources for students with disabilities. The Current. Nova Southeastern University.
Information on university resources for students with physical disabilities.
Gould, M. R. (1996-2002). Contributing Editor. Nailpro Magazine.
50+ business articles on technique/skills, customer service, career advancement, sales, management, careers, salon & product critique, research & design, manufacturing, trends, education, licensing, marketing, and income. Published in 14 countries in English, German, and Russian.
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I graduated with my mental health counseling degree in 2012. Back when I was in school, I was required to complete a year-long practicum at a treatment site. This practicum is analogous to a doctor going through a residency. As a counselor-to-be, I was placed at a substance use treatment facility where it was my privilege to witness the spirit and courage of people fighting addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. There is a flow to recovery - a process that is noble and humbling and beautiful to watch. I chose to specialize in addiction recovery, stress & anxiety, and personal growth in my private practice because I wanted to look forward to going to work every day. I get to watch the most incredible transformations happen for people through this work, and it is easy to be passionate about my job.
Aside from the counseling profession, my favorite jobs were:
Over 20 years as a licensed nail technician because I got to talk to people all day and make them feel special and cared for
Two years as a trade school educator because I got to empower adults seeking new or second careers
Working as a PBX switchboard operator and receptionist because I got to help people make connections
Help me understand what matters to you.
I’d love to hear more about what brings you to therapy. Here's your chance to tell me what's been weighing on you, what sorts of changes you're hoping for, how you work best, and what kinds of qualities you find helpful in a therapist. This is your space to be honest about what you need.