Alicia Mercedes, M.Ed, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida, holding a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida Atlantic University. With a diverse background and extensive experience, Alicia has provided guidance to individuals, and groups from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious preferences.
Throughout her career, Alicia has successfully supported individuals dealing with challenges such as depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, and family conflicts. She specializes in adult counseling for those struggles with anxiety, self esteem, body image issues and trauma. As well as women struggling with parenting, prenatal and postpartum mental health issues. She is passionate about creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone can live authentically and without fear of race, gender, identity or sexuality.
Alicia's professional journey includes impactful training experiences at esteemed institutions like Henderson Behavioral Health, Legacy Healing Center, The Beachcomber Rehabilitation, The Faulk Center for Counseling, and private practice. Her motivation stems from a deep passion for aiding others, a compassionate approach to understanding, and a skillful ability to tackle complex problems comprehensively. She creates a nurturing atmosphere where clients can comfortably address negativity and work towards happiness, mental and emotional well-being, and overall health.
Traci Schreibman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the State of Florida. She earned her master’s in clinical social work from Florida Atlantic University. Traci’s experience includes working with clients from diverse backgrounds by implementing individual, family, couples, and group therapy interventions.
She has assisted in improving the lives of clients that have experienced anxiety, depression, anger, grief, family and relationship conflict, trauma, and various addiction and other behavioral issues. Traci has experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and geriatric populations.
She has worked in several mental health and behavioral health settings including, substance abuse, corrections, adult therapy, telebehavioral health, and group private practice.
Her training sites include 1st Step Behavioral Health, Legacy Healing Center, Florida House Experience, Southeastern Correctional Complex, Judge Nancy R. McDonnell Community Based Correctional Facility, Health Recovery Services, Inc. Bassett House, BetterHelp, and group private practice.
Traci is passionate about supporting individuals in accomplishing their goals and finding solutions to the challenges they may be facing. She views the therapeutic relationship as the most important aspect of therapy and understands that you are the expert of your own unique, life experiences. She creates an empathetic environment that allows her clients to feel understood and treats each individual with respect, compassion, patience, and acceptance. Traci is looking forward to joining your journey of change, growth, and empowerment to re-balance your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual state of well-being.
Devon Staropoli, M.S., is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. Devon completed her master’s degree program in Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. She is skilled in working with individuals and families of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Although she has worked with individuals of all ages, she specializes in working with teens and young adults. Devon has worked with those struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, impulse control, emotion regulation, conflict resolution/problem solving, and self-esteem. She is very passionate regarding her work with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Devon has worked in a variety of settings such as community mental health, a lock down facility for juveniles, a psychiatric hospital, and now primarily provides services in the school setting during the day and telehealth in the evenings.
She brings an eclectic perspective to the counseling experience and truly believes in meeting the client where they are. She utilizes practices from evidence-based models and believes in focusing on an individual’s strengths to overcome their challenges. She provides a safe and welcoming space for clients to come as they are and to feel free to work through their challenges without judgment.
Anastasia specializes in supporting couples who are dedicated to enhancing their lives and deepening their sense of self-efficacy, support and communication both individually and together. Whether you're dealing with familial conflict, codependency, infidelity challenges, or issues with confidence and self-worth, she is here to help.
During sessions, Anastasia will collaborate to develop coping skills to manage any relationship and mental health conditions or difficulties. You can expect to be met with empathy, compassion, and a gentle challenge to foster growth. Her goal is to guide you in recognizing and building upon your strengths, both as individuals and as a couple.
Anastasia provides a safe and confidential space where both partners will feel heard, seen, and understood. She has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals, those facing substance abuse issues, and clients diagnosed with mood and personality disorders.
Opening up and expressing vulnerability, especially with your partner, can be daunting—particularly if you've been taught to keep your feelings to yourself. Taking the first step to seek help is a courageous act, and Anastasia will help navigate this journey with you. Let's work towards a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.
Under the supervision of Alicia Mercedes, Rachel is currently interning at Fit Counseling, LLC. Rachel obtained her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from NYU in 2024. Rachel's experience includes working with clients from a diverse array of backgrounds, working with them to address relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief, anger, borderline personality disorders, and eating disorders.
In addition to a passion for counseling, Rachel is also a certified yoga teacher with a specialization in aerial yoga. This unique background has allowed her to integrate mindfulness and meditation into her life, enhancing a holistic approach to therapy.
Rachel's journey towards becoming a therapist began early in life, driven by a deep desire to assist others. Having navigated her own share of life's challenges and traumas, Rachel has come to appreciate the profound benefits that therapy can offer. She firmly believes in the power of human connection, the importance of feeling heard and validated, and how these elements are integral to the healing process. It's an incredible honor for Rachel to be part of the therapeutic experience for others.
Rachel's therapeutic philosophy centers on a person-centered approach, recognizing that each client is the expert of their own life. Her role is to support and facilitate the client's journey, with a strong emphasis on cultural humility and sensitivity, fostering an environment of empathy, open-mindedness, and non-judgment. Active listening is a cornerstone of Rachel's practice.
Prior to her current role, Rachel gained experience working alongside counselors as a psychological research assistant at the University of Florida. This experience deepened her understanding of the field and fueled her excitement to directly engage with clients on their unique paths of healing and growth.
Rachel is thrilled to be here, ready to walk with clients on their journeys toward healing and personal development. She looks forward to connecting with individuals and being a part of their transformative process.
Glenda Flores is currently interning at Fit Counseling under the supervision of Alicia Mercedes. She is pursuing a master’s degree in mental health and wellness counseling at NYU. Previously, she attended Florida International University, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Glenda's interest in the field of mental health began at an early age, stemming from her curiosity about human behavior and her desire to provide care for others. She follows an integrative approach to therapy that aims to address clients' individual needs, with a theoretical philosophy that leans towards a person-centered and existentialist approach.
She believes in focusing on individual strengths and viewing the person in a holistic manner. For Glenda, it is crucial to let the client be the expert in the room. She considers practicing humility essential in the therapeutic relationship, fostering a deeper connection between the client and counselor. She also recognizes that everyone carries wounds from their past that can interfere with daily functioning and current relationships.
Glenda aims to create space for exploration for her clients while providing a judgment-free zone. After college, she pursued yoga teacher training, practicing Hatha yoga, which she continues to incorporate into her individual wellness practice.
She sees significant value in integrating mindfulness-based interventions for clients and appreciates the meaningful connection between mind and body. Her experiences in the field of psychology include providing biopsychosocial assessments at a behavioral health clinic.
Subsequently, she worked at a clinic serving people with traumatic brain injuries, providing cognitive remediation therapy. This job gave her first-hand insight into the benefits of talk therapy, inspiring her to pursue her master’s degree.
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