Family Therapy in Melbourne, FL

I help teens and adults who feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, or are having a hard time with a recent life transition. With a person- centered approach, I provide a safe space for healing and growth. I hope to walk alongside you to support you in navigating the complexities of life and empower you to regain control while making positive changes in your life by learning new skills. I prioritize cultivating a non-judgmental atmosphere where clients can authentically express themselves, recognizing its fundamental role in the therapeutic journey. Together, we work towards improving your overall wellbeing.

The ideal client for me is one who enjoys learning, willing to use skills/tools outside of therapy, and be introspective to cause a shift in their life to live differently and accomplish their goals in a collaborative manner. How can I help? This statement is one of the first questions you will be asked during our first session and throughout treatment together.

Do you ever feel exhausted from taking care of everyone else? Are you the designated “therapist” for everyone in your life? Do you feel responsible for other people's emotions? Maybe you feel really good about being so helpful to everyone in your life, but at the same time feel really burned out and sometimes resentful. If you can relate, I can help. As someone who has lived this experience, I understand how exhausting it can be and how much anxiety it can cause.

Are you struggling with a recent crisis related to sexual addiction, pornography or infidelity? The discovery of sexual betrayal in your relationship can leave you shocked and traumatized. As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and APSats Clinical Partner Specialist, I provide treatment to individuals and couples whose relationship has been impacted by infidelity, sexual addiction or compulsive pornography. As a Certified Clinical Trauma specialist & EMDR Certified Practitioner I provide a supportive, calm and serene environment for my client's to process any trauma that may be causing distress in their life.

Beginning therapy means different things to different people, but it IS an action of courage, hope, self-care, and self-determination. I want you to know what awaits you in therapy is the space to seek out understanding and healing, at a pace that feels right, and with a competent therapist to guide you through.

My focus is on Depression, Substance Abuse/Recovery, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Trauma, Experiential Therapy, Relationships, LGBTQ, Co-Dependency, Anger, and PTSD. I enjoy working with people who are ready for a change, and I will provide a compassionate & safe platform for you to unfold your given potential while implementing a distinct and personalized plan for your recovery.

Life can certainly be tough at times, but you don’t have to do it alone! I have worked with many patients from a variety of backgrounds and concerns. One of my more unique focuses is on Video Game/Internet Addiction. I offer advice/education with time management skills, setting priorities, overall life skills and more! I have interned and worked at Circles of Care and I currently practice at Adult & Child Counseling & Psychiatric Center. I am on your side and I will be here to help you through some of the most difficult and stressful times you have to handle. You have to keep moving forward and I can be the one to help!

In my practice, I prioritize understanding the unique needs of each client, tailoring my approach to address specific challenges. My goal is to provide a safe space where you can openly explore thoughts and emotions. What sets me apart is my holistic approach, integrating evidence-based therapies with a genuine, compassionate connection. I believe in empowering individuals to harness their inner strengths and resilience. I am here to guide you through your journey of self-discovery, offering tools and strategies to enhance your mental well-being.

Welcome to The Center for Codependency Recovery! It is possible to face and change addictive and unfulfilling relationships with the compulsive or emotionally ill. If you struggle with depression or anxiety, a relationship concern, or, you or someone you love has an emotional illness or an addiction problem this type of counseling may be ideal for you. If you find yourself feeling sad, depressed, anxious and unmotivated and want a guide to give you a plan for tackling your issues or if you want to be free of negative thoughts and self doubt , give us a call! Be joyful and at ease with yourself and others again!

If you or others you know are experiencing concerns regarding increased forgetfulness, short term memory difficulties, a tendency to misplace things more often, trouble with word finding, decreased name recall, and/or increased forgetfulness of conversations, appointments, etc., please consider our practice at Melbourne MedPsych to help you clarify these concerns. We provide evaluation services to clarify what is happening (the diagnosis), and recommendations for follow up treatment or other services that may be most appropriate and helpful. Office phone: 321-342-2768. We participate with Medicare and most commercial insurances.

By taking a compassionate and warm approach, I help my clients heal from their past and make meaningful change in the present. My priority is to build authentic, honest relationships with my clients. Through building a trusting relationship, my hope is that you feel comfortable to explore your emotions and unpack past experiences that may be hindering you in your present life. I believe therapy should be engaging, supportive, and responsive.

WHY is your life the way it is? WHAT can you do about it? Whether you're going through a transition, relationship problems, dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma or just looking to find your purpose in life, I would be honored to guide you in your process of healing and transformation. If you are ready, I will teach you the ins and outs and HOW of playing this game we call LIFE. I will guide you in accessing your innate wisdom and learning how to trust the guidance of your inner GPS. Become more resourceful, empowered and free to consciously create and attract the life you want and deserve. Find your joy in the journey.

Lifes unique journey requires empowering souls to understand their triggers and need for healthy coping skills and addressing concerns. I believe counseling helps individuals better understand their behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, while discovering and implementing more effective communication and interaction skills. Counseling is a professional therapeutic relationship and I am dedicated to helping all individuals who struggle. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, adjustment, PTSD, emotional dysregulation, trauma, chronic illness and diagnosis, relationships, and social factors, together we can make progress.

I have a solid foundation for helping diverse clients achieve their goals and desired outcomes. Greater peace, self-awareness, self-management, and relationship management are goals many clients strive to achieve. I bring warmth, knowledge, skills, humor, and resources to support clients. After facilitating ten Healing for Damaged Emotions discussion groups, I published Spiritual Maturity: God's Will for Emotional Health and Healing in 2014. Though I serve clients with my faith views, I welcome and have served many clients regardless of their faith views and affiliations.

Have you or your teen been struggling with anxiety, depression or low self-esteem? Have you not felt like yourself lately or felt like you were struggling to find your identity? Have you always wanted to be the happiest, healthiest version of you? I would love to walk with you on this journey called life, whether you have been feeling this way for a while, or find yourself in a transitional phase where you could use some extra support. I will work with you to find the root cause and give you tools to use in your every day life to be able to handle new and old challenges.

My ideal client struggles with insecurities, fears, has low self- esteem, and difficulties to identify his or her strengths. He or she has fears, and anxieties, and create the worst possible case scenarios in his or her inner dialogue for situations that he or she finds threatening or challenging. Also my ideal client needs to identify strategies to better manage their time. My ideal client struggles with anxieties in his or her relationship, which could lead to codependency and anxious attachment patterns.

The purpose of therapy is to take what you have learned and apply it outside. It is not always easy to make changes, and change can be scary, but once you put your words into action, the change can be beautiful. I have worked with people who struggle with substance use issues, depression, anxiety, and families. I have a passion for working with people in the BiPOC community. I want my clients to believe in themselves and what they can accomplish without needing external validation. My goal is for you to feel confident in your decision-making to process your needs/issues without relying on others.

My professional goal is to help individuals and families navigate the many challenges we are faced with as we move through life. Let's together figure out how you can be the person you want to be and improve you relationships. If your child has challenges, let's identify those, and find solutions and recommendations. As our parents age it is important they get proper diagnoses and recommendations. After a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other disability, it is important to receive education and direction to the best resources, as well as help adjusting. Life can be hard at times, let's find a solution together.

Dr. Gustafson is currently open for telehealth sessions with people from both Florida and Mississippi. He is a seasoned, board certified, licensed clinical psychologist and professor with over 30 years of experience to help you to work things through. I try to make my practice a sanctuary where science, compassion, and humor converge to create a challenging but safe environment. Here you are respected and treated like an adult.