What are you all about?

My name is Mitzi, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in Miami, Florida.

Growing up, I assumed that at some point, you simply figured out how to handle life. Over time, I realized that it doesn’t quite work that way. While everyone faces challenges, we don’t simply “get over” them. What we can do is learn to understand ourselves better and develop healthier ways to care for our minds. Growing up in a Latin community, conversations about mental health were not always common or encouraged. There was often an expectation to stay strong, push through difficulties, or handle things privately. Over time, I came to understand how important it is to create spaces where people can talk openly about their experiences without shame or judgment.

Living and working in Miami has also shaped how I think about mental health. This city is vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, but it can also feel fast-paced and overwhelming at times. Many of the people I work with are navigating the pressure of balancing family expectations, cultural values, relationships, and their own personal goals. These experiences continue to influence how I approach therapy and how I try to understand the unique context each person brings into the room.

We all see the world through the lens of our experiences, and sometimes those lenses can become foggy, messy, or overwhelming. While we may not always be able to change what’s in front of us, we can learn to change or accept the way we relate to ourselves and our experiences. Will I push you to see everything through rose-colored glasses? Absolutely not. Sometimes things are hard, painful, or complicated. Sometimes we simply need a safe space to sit with sadness, frustration, or uncertainty. Other times, we may be ready to see things from a different perspective.

The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of progress. You should be able to be yourself in session without feeling judged or rushed. Your therapist should be accepting, supportive, and trustworthy—and I strive to create that kind of space for every person I work with. Therapy should be a place that is truly about you, your experiences, and what matters most in your life.

In many ways, becoming a therapist felt like the most natural path for me. I’ve always been someone who connects easily with people and is curious about their experiences. While I considered different possibilities along the way, working with people and supporting them through difficult moments was the one thing that consistently felt right.

When I’m not working with clients, you can usually find me spending time with my dog, adding more books to my reading list than I can realistically finish, or trying out new hobbies and self-care routines just to see what sticks.

What is your approach to mental health?

My style is relaxed, approachable, and grounded in values. I believe you are the expert on your own life and experiences, and my role is to help guide you toward feeling more confident in that. I want to understand what matters most to you—from your beliefs, family relationships, and goals to the small things that bring you comfort or joy. Therapy is a space where you can show up as you are. Whether we laugh, cry, or sit in quiet reflection, my hope is that each session offers you greater clarity, peace, motivation, or insight.

Together, we will work to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns so that you can feel more connected to yourself and your choices. At times our conversations may feel difficult, awkward, or uncomfortable. Growth often lives in those moments. I will meet you where you are while gently supporting you in moving toward the changes you want to make. Therapy should challenge you, but it should never feel like you have to run before you can walk.

I also believe therapy should be practical. We will explore coping strategies and healthy habits that realistically fit your life, helping you find both short-term relief and long-term change.

As we make sense of your past, we will also focus on building the future you want while learning to be present in your life today. You won’t have to figure it all out alone—I’ll be there to guide and support you through the process. When helpful, I encourage collaboration with other health professionals or members of your support system.

Ultimately, therapy is about helping you feel more seen, understood, and aligned with the life you want to live. Together, we will work toward your own definition of purpose and peace.

What is your education & experience?

I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida International University in 2015. During my training, I completed internships at Switchboard of Miami and Family Counseling Services of Miami. Looking back, those experiences were exactly what I needed as a new therapist. I had the opportunity to work with people from many different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, genders, races, and sexual orientations, which reinforced for me how universal the need for mental health care truly is.

One of the most meaningful experiences during my internship was working in the crisis center. It was there that I saw firsthand how powerful a genuine human connection can be, especially during moments when someone feels overwhelmed or alone. Those experiences taught me how vital it is to meet people with empathy and presence, and how even a brief moment of connection can help restore a sense of hope.

For about 10 years, I worked in Applied Behavior Analysis. The primary populations I worked with were children & adolescents on the Autism Spectrum and with behavioral concerns. I got to work with amazing families of all types. Mental health advocacy became a huge role, as I often found myself helping families navigate systems, resources, and support. Through this work, I learned a great deal about patience, autonomy, and the importance of meeting people where they are. It also deepened my appreciation for how differently people can experience and understand the world, and how meaningful community and support can be in shaping someone’s well-being. 

For the past several years, I have been working in private practice, where I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people as they navigate some of the most meaningful and challenging moments in their lives. Over time, my work has naturally evolved to focus primarily on individuals in early and mid-adulthood who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of their direction.

In addition to providing therapy, I conduct psychological evaluations for immigration cases and provide clinical supervision to therapists as they develop their skills and professional identity. Both of these roles have allowed me to engage with the field of mental health in different ways, whether that means helping someone share their story or supporting a clinician as they grow into their work.

Through all of this, I continue to feel honored by the opportunity to witness people feel more seen, understood, and empowered as they move toward lives that feel more authentic and aligned with who they are. Today, my practice is fully virtual, allowing me to work with clients throughout Florida while creating a flexible and accessible space for therapy.