Frequently Asked Questions

Coastal Counseling & Wellness uses SimplePractice for scheduling patients, data forms, and billing. SimplePractice has a HITRUST Certification (CSF) which holds the highest levels of privacy, security, and compliance measures.

First, you will need to provide your first name, last name, and email address.  This will allow us to electronically send you our privacy forms, consent forms, payment information, and questionnaires. We require these forms to be completed before our scheduled appointment.  

If client is a minor, both parents must sign the consent form for treatment. However, if you have legal court documentation that states otherwise please bring it in with you during your first appointment. 

New clients can call 727.424.4661 to start the process and schedule their first appointment.

Existing clients will have a member portal that they can schedule future appointments or call.  If your link has expired, call or email for the link to be resent.

Individual Counseling is $105 for each session. Couples counseling is $120 for each session. If needed, we can discuss sliding scales for a select amount of time.  A session is 50 minutes.

We accept debit, credit cards, Venmo, and cash payments.

Client may cancel appointment via e-mail, voice call, in person, or by voicemail. If the cancellation is done at least 24 hours in advance of the appointment, there will be no charge for the cancellation.  If less than 24 hours, the charge is price of your session.  Please note, reminder calls/texts are a courtesy and keeping appointment times is the responsibility of the client. If an appointment is missed the client will be charged for that session.   

Confidentiality is one of the most important components. State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality with the exception of the situations listed below. 

• Suspected abuse (both past and present) or neglect of children, adults, and elders.
• If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

In some situations you may want your therapist to share information with another party (physician, other health care provider, family member). By law, we cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

The State of Florida requires a Master's Degree (60hr Program + 1,000 Direct Face-to-Face Counseling hours) from a CACREP Program.  Upon graduation, a graduate must register with the State of Florida to become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI).  The RMHCI must then complete 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience, under the eye of a State Registered Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Supervisor, before requesting permission from the State of Florida to take the LMHC examination.  During the accumulation of supervised clinical hours, RMHCIs have opportunities to attend educational programs in order to gain certifications in various mental health specialties.  RMHCIs are bound to the same laws and ethics as a LMHC.  In short, it's similar to how Doctors complete a residency plan before earning their Doctorate of Medicine (MD).

Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling » Licensing and Registration- Licensing, Renewals & Information (floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov) 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result from distressing life experiences. An adaptive information processing (AIP) model is used to help heal the brain.  Our brains can heal naturally by updating our neuropathways when reviewing the past trauma and using bilateral stimulations such as eye movements.  

What is EMDR? – EMDR Institute – EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING THERAPY 

Accelerated Resolution Therapy is a form of psychotherapy with roots in existing evidence-based therapies.  It is the use of eye movements to reprogram distressing memories or images.

Click here to learn more: Accelerated Resolution Therapy - Treating Trauma 

We use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with pre-marital, marital, and couples counseling.  

 What is EFT? (iceeft.com) 

Brainspotting is the use of eye movements which may be used with or without bilateral sounds.   The eye positions (Brainspots) where the trauma, anxiety, depression or behavioral problems are held in the brain. This technique allows the brain to process healing. 

Click here to learn more: https://youtu.be/lm3Plvaf3UE

We use Prepare Enrich with pre-marital, marital, and couples counseling.  The cost is $100 for the assessment and first session.  The additional sessions will be at the normal rates thereafter.  The assessment will include your strengths and areas to strengthen in your relationship.

 About - PREPARE/ENRICH - Purpose, Mission, Values (prepare-enrich.com) 

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

Specific training for the treatment of trauma (deeply distressing or disturbing experience).  Once certified the clinician is required to maintain a minimum of 12 clock hours of continuing education training in specific trauma assessment and treatment topics.

 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional- CCTP. Evergreen Certifications.

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification Standards. Evergreen Certifications.