I am excited to be on this path of self-development and self-awareness with all my clients. Being a part of a client’s process and witnessing their growth is one of the most fulfilling aspects of what I do.
Actually, this is why I got into the counseling field in the first place: to help others believe in themselves and process through their life’s challenging situations. I have been in the helping profession for over 8 years supporting clients as they process through their traumas, addictions, phases of life, and family of origin issues. I look forward to being a part of your journey as well.
As an existential therapist, I believe that life is a journey of focusing and balancing one’s purpose, meaning, freedom and responsibility. Sometimes we all need some help processing through the potential conditions of the human condition, such as being comfortable as our authentic selves or becoming aware of the many possibilities for oneself. For me, focusing on one’s developmental patterns throughout their lifetime is just as important as what happened to them during our childhood. However, I do incorporate attachment theory’s principles into my conceptualization process. Our attachment styles as children, indeed, play a pivotal role in the relational patterns in one’s current relationships. Incorporating these concepts into the therapeutic process helps to reveal patterns in one’s life as well as helps clients discover what is meaningful and purposeful to them.
If you would like to set up an initial consultation please call me at 941.623.6035 or you may email me at [email protected]
Christina is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and seven years of experience in group and individual treatment. She has worked with individuals struggling with substance abuse issues, dual diagnosis, and mental health issues including anxiety,
depression, and eating disorders. She is excited to be utilizing her exceptional experience as a Sarasota therapist.
She works to create a nurturing and warm environment that helps the client to achieve long-lasting improvements to help them meet personal goals. Christina believes in an individualized approach in which the relationship between the client and therapist is paramount.
This style can help individuals begin to process their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, work to uncover the sources of their distress and help to discover the unique coping skills that work best for them.
Seeking a therapist in Sarasota? Contact Ms. Ercoli today at 860.417.8664 or email me at [email protected]!
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern & Master Life Coach
Ms. Burke is an engaging Sarasota therapist with a genuine interest in people. As a mental health counselor, she thrives on learning what is meaningful to her clients and encouraging them to lead genuine, authentic and fulfilling lives. It is her goal to discover what is most important to her clients; To learn their goals, their values, and what fuels their resilience to tolerate and navigate change, confront uncomfortable feelings, navigate difficult conversations, and set healthy boundaries with clarity, confidence and kindness.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and the practice of Radical Acceptance are cornerstones to integrating a process that brings individuals and couples to the gift of their lives, where discovery, enlightenment, growth and balance can be achieved.
“It is my distinct privilege to be invited into the lives and innermost workings of my client’s lives, thoughts and experiences. I strive to provide a collaborative process using a myriad of techniques throughout the therapeutic journey.”
Ms. Burke can be contacted directly at (203) 216-8607, or by reaching out through our contact form. Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Ms. Burke's Theory of Change:
“Change.” Not many people like it, yet we are all tasked with it at some point. So, why is the concept of change so difficult for us to embrace? “Discomfort.” Change usually requires some upset to our routine, which then creates a sense of discomfort. The other reason we resist change is “control.” The uncertainty that comes along with change is the feeling that we have “lost control.” So, how is it possible to approach change in a way that is less taxing and without activating our inherent push toward resistance?
My theory on change is aligned with the foundation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT holds the belief that we need to strike a balance between validation (acceptance) of who we are/what we feel and the challenges/discomfort of the process of change in order to fully realize and embrace the benefits.
The Process
- Mindfulness: This is the practice of being fully aware and focused on the present instead of being mired in the past or worried about the what if’s of the future.
- Distress tolerance: This involves identifying and understanding (validating) emotions in difficult or stressful situations without responding with harmful behaviors with the ability to manage your emotions effectively and accurately.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: This means knowing what your wants, needs and desires are and understanding how to ask for what you want, need and desire while respectfully setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.
- Emotion regulation: This means understanding, being more aware of and having more control over your emotions.
There are many approaches to change. We all tend to recoil when we learn of impending changes. As we have experienced, changes bring a certain degree of discomfort. However, we also become complacent and are sometimes willing to remain in situations or patterns that do not serve us in an effort to resist as well as to thwart change, despite our current level of discomfort. I have found that having an optimistic outlook and adjusting our expectations that change can bring unmitigated joy or at the very least, lessen the hardships that we currently endure. Where we ultimately do have control is how we manage and respond to the changes that we will contemplate.
Helping my clients to understand and identify who they are at their origin, identifying areas than can be improved by increasing awareness and the capacity to regulate their emotions with the use of mindfulness and coping skills while replacing unhealthy or maladaptive coping skills is my primary role when facilitating change. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship utilizing accurate validation has been beneficial for long-term treatment outcomes.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered
Play Therapist & Qualified Supervisor
Carmen Alvarez is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Play Therapist who has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults.
Carmen Alvarez has a relaxed style that quickly puts her clients at ease and offers them a safe place to explore their
strengths and overcome their obstacles. She has assisted adolescents and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and other life transitions. She has assisted children struggling with inattention, social interactions, anger, trauma, and divorce.
To schedule an appointment with Ms. Alvarez you may reach out to her directly at 941.779.3464, complete our contact form or contact me directly at [email protected]
Patrycja Kucharska MHCI
When individuals experience trauma or any life stressor, it is not uncommon to feel like our lives are unraveling. It can become challenging to figure out what is right and wrong in our lives. My goal is to be the person that “sits in your passenger seat and helps you to explore which road you’d like to go on.”
I have a passion for working with children, adults, families, and couples. I have experience in: personality disorders, anger management, anxiety, depression, adjustment-related issues, grief, health, social skills, and stress management.
I believe that if you are ready for the next step, there is no stop to the change you can accomplish. I tend to practice from a client-centered approach, but I also enjoy using a variety of therapeutic approaches to give each client a unique experience. I believe that being non-judgmental, showing empathy, and being unbiased can allow individuals to continue to grow on their path.
My clinical training includes assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, and couple work.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Illinois University. I am currently working towards my Master of Science in Clinical-Community Mental Health and will graduate in May 2023.
You can reach me directly at 708.407.0969 or [email protected]!
Carolyn Saad Gonzalez RMHCI
Carolyn Saad Gonzalez is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, holding a B.A. in Psychology from University
of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Carolyn's heart is for people. Her passions include seeing wounds healed, relationships restored, confidence built, and persons of all ages and stages living into their fullest potential. Carolyn operates from relational psychodynamic and attachment theory frameworks, and has experience working with adults, teens, and couples.
Please feel invited to give MindSol Wellness Center a call at (941) 256-3725 to learn more or schedule an intake! You may also reach Carolyn directly at (941) 276-9455 or [email protected]!
Mary Thomas is a charismatic counselor who has a strong presence in the recovery community. With over eight years of experience in
recovery, she has touched many lives and knows what it takes to work on one’s self. Her experience with addicts extends to homeless outreach, being a caseworker for the homeless.
“I would oversee close to 60+ clients daily. I did their assessments when they came into the program, held meetings with the women once a week to go over concerns and struggles, and worked with the Sergeant of the Sarasota Police Department and the Sheriffs Department. My door was always open for the clients throughout the day.”
Mary’s story is one of triumph, hard work and overcoming all odds. She has found the tools and means to not only survive but to thrive as well. Among one of the most daunting tasks anyone faces, loving one’s self, Mary is eager to help others find just that. With a mantra of building self confidence and kindness for one’s self, she shares with others the keys to overcoming adversities and dependencies. Her experience with addicts and alcoholics has allowed Mary to conduct therapy and reach her clients through a patient, kind and understanding point of view.
Nonjudgmental and solution-based, Mary brings experience, strength and hope to each one of her sessions
Mrs. Desarae Wyant PCLC
Professional Certified Life Coach
I am a Certified Life Coach who takes a holistic approach bringing a personal cheerleader, clarity and direction to reach your highest goals and dreams. Do you have a lack of motivation? Have you tried and failed, and tried and failed again? Are you struggling to see past what has been, and through to your desired achievements? Have you been in an endless loop with no improvements? I have been there and back and that’s why I’m passionate, even fiery about helping others claim their dreams. I believe everyone is capable of achieving the life they desire. With some planning, direction and follow through we will fill in the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. I’ll work with you one-on-one keeping the end game of satisfaction and success in focus. I look forward to working with you on your journey! You can reach me at (941) 999-8226 or email me at [email protected]
Mr. David Forestier, CAC, NCIP, NCRC-I
Certified Addictions Counselor
David was raised in the Bronx, New York by a family who wouldn’t put up with his addiction and all the chaos and
heartbreak that came with it. Their healthy boundaries were a big part of catapulting David into recovery. David brings an outstanding 30 plus years of personal recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, 10 years of professional
experience in recovery support services, and eight years experience as director of a residential school for troubled teenagers. Today, David is a Nationally Certified Intervention Practitioner (NCIP) a Nationally Certified Recovery Coach (NCRC-I), & a Florida Board Certified Addiction Counselor a trained professional who truly cares. 941.444.6560
Cole Young is a empathetic counselor who specializes in empowering individuals to overcome their personal
struggles with addictions in all forms. He has been active in the therapeutic community since 2005 when he worked as a adolescent counselor at a boarding school for troubled teenagers. In years since, he has worked as a sober companion and recovery coach for teenagers and adults struggling with substance abuse. His years of experience in recovery, personally and professionally, inform an effective approach to treatment. His professional credentials include a Certification in Addictions Counseling by the Florida Certification Board. 941.444.6560