I am based in Destin, FL in Okaloosa County and provide online therapy to Florida residents, and limited in person appointments to those located near Destin, e.g. Miramar Beach, Ft Walton Beach, Niceville, Crestview, Navarre, 30A, Santa Rosa Beach. I am in the process of expanding to offer virtual therapy to Colorado residents.

Psychotherapy, or simply therapy, refers to the techniques that help people change behaviors, thoughts and emotions which may be interfering with their quality of life. Optimize Om Psychotherapy’s practice draws from a variety of evidence-based i.e. research-supported strategies to alleviate distress, improve functioning, and propel clients toward growth and healing.

Then you’re in the right place! Many of my current clients don’t meet criteria for a diagnosis (such as PTSD, Anxiety Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder), and some do. I will never fit you in a box for the purpose of reimbursement, as I espouse ethical and honest practice. At Optimize Om Psychotherapy, anyone seeking to better their quality of life is welcome to start their therapy journey.

This is a small, specialized practice and only select evening and weekend appointments are available. Daytime appointments may be available upon request.

In an effort to reach specific populations and allow for a growth journey, this is a self-pay practice. Insurance necessitates pathology and diagnostic labels, and often for my clientele the labels don’t fit. Insurance limits therapy to more acute concerns, and can have implications for certain military careers, particularly fliers/aviators, ground forces operators, etc. As an ethical practitioner, the self-pay model allows me to provide psychotherapy to a wider array of clients who are seeking not merely to treat symptoms, but to introspect and optimize their functioning.

Yes, therapy sessions are confidential. Therapists adhere to strict ethical guidelines to protect your privacy. There are some exceptions, such as when there is a risk of harm to yourself and others, which we can discuss in your initial appointment.

Online therapy, also called virtual therapy or tele-therapy, offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to engage in therapy in a convenient location without constraints of commuting, securing sitters, and timing. Sessions are conducted through a secure video platform from the comfort of your home or designated space.

I am offering walk and talk sessions on the Destin/Miramar Beach on select early mornings for local folks, if we deem this to be a fit and concerns are not acute. As we would be outside a traditional office space, limits of confidentiality will be discussed further and I will require your consent. Walking and talking is a research supported method of therapy that I often employ at my full-time position. As a somatic practitioner, I see tremendous benefits to movement, and this format breaks down the formality and barriers of a traditional setting, often allowing for more comfort, ease and immersion in nature.

Limited in person appointments will be offered on select weekends at 30A Therapy Associates at 141 Mack Bayou Loop Suite 301, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, next to Sacred Heart Hospital.

If you need to cancel, please kindly do so prior to 48 hours to avoid a $100 fee which will be collected via credit card on file. Life happens but I must respect my limited schedule and others’ appointment requests. Thank you for your understanding.

850.389.4550

I offer 60 and 90 minute sessions, and for established clients, 30 minute booster sessions. Certain modalities, such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy and EMDR require greater time and are thus scheduled for 90 minutes.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a fast-acting therapy that helps people overcome traumatic/distressing memories, negative emotions and unpleasant physiological sensations by using specific eye movements and visualization techniques. Many clients prefer eye-movement work for trauma because there is minimal to no talking/sharing. In just a few sessions, ART can help you change how distressing memories are stored in your brain, dramatically reducing the emotional and physiological impact of traumatic incidents.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a similar therapeutic approach from which ART was derived that also targets trauma. By using guided eye movements, EMDR allows you to process difficult memories and experiences in a safe environment, reducing their emotional impact and helping you build healthier responses. ART is more directive, whereas EMDR functions more on free association. In my practice, I tend to see clients gain faster relief and results with ART.

Your initial appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and establish your goals for therapy. We’ll explore the concerns that brought you in, your background and any current challenges you’re facing; I may ask you to complete depression/anxiety/trauma screeners to gain a fuller picture. By the session’s end, we’ll collaboratively formulate a direction for our work and a plan tailored to what better and more optimized looks like for you.

Duration varies for each individual client or couple depending on your unique goals and needs. The pace is a collaborative decision and we will regularly assess your progress as a team. Ultimately the goal is to empower you with the skills and insight to optimize your quality of life. Booster sessions are offered to sustain progress as needed.

Weekly meetings tend to promote continuity and progress, but alternate weeks work for many of my folks, depending on acuity of the issue addressed and their goals.

A Good Faith Estimate is an estimate of the anticipated costs of mental health services. This provides transparency about the potential financial commitment associated with psychotherapy. Feel free to bring this up at any time during our sessions.