A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a white blazer and hoop earrings, standing outdoors with a background of green trees and blue sky.

Dr. Katheryne Puentes

PhD., MS., LMHC, LMFT, QS

My passion is joining you on your journey by providing you with a space where you can unlock your true potential. Everyone is unique in their own way and I promise to cherish that. Life doesn’t have to be a constant struggle; it can be an adventure. This is your first step in being closer to where you want to be and what you want to work on; that takes a lot of courage in itself. I am here for you when you are ready to start!

My goal is to provide you with different ways to relieve that weight that is constantly being carried, personalize your goals, and aid you in starting and enjoying your voyage.

I’m a Florida board-certified Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, certified in Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). I earned a Master’s in Counseling with a concentration in Mental Health and Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University.

I have experience working with couples, children, teens, adults, and their families, utilizing various models and techniques. I also specialize with clients that suffer from anxiety, depression, trauma, as well as an extensive range of challenges including but not limited to crisis, adjustment concerns, addiction, family relationships, a wide range of diagnosis, and grief/loss. I have guided many families with parenting concerns, teen concerns, children’s behavioral concerns, and relationship/communication building. This process is collaborative, meaning everything will be personalized to your needs and experiences.

Specialties

  • Addiction

  • ADHD

  • Alcohol Use

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Bisexual

  • Body Image

  • Career Counseling

  • Child

  • Chronic Illness

  • Chronic Impulsivity

  • Chronic Pain

  • Chronic Relapse

  • Codependency

  • Coping Skills

  • Depression

  • Divorce

  • Domestic Violence

  • Drug Abuse

  • Dual Diagnosis

  • Emotional Disturbance

  • Family Conflict

  • Grief

  • Impulse Control Disorders

  • Lesbian

  • LGBTQ+

  • Life Coaching

  • Life Transitions

  • Marital and Premarital

  • Mood Disorders

  • Parenting

  • Peer Relationships

  • Polyamory & ENM

  • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum

  • Racial Identity

  • Relationship Issues

  • School Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Self-Harming

  • Spirituality

  • Sports Performance

  • Stress

  • Substance Use

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Teen Violence

  • Thinking Disorders

  • Transgender

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Veterans

  • Women's Issues

Treatment Approaches

I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches to meet the unique needs of each client. My work incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Family Systems Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Humanistic approaches. Treatment is always tailored to your goals, experiences, and strengths.

“Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do”.
- Bruce Lee

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, grief, and major life transitions.

  • Yes. I specialize in working with individuals and families impacted by trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. I offer therapy sessions online via video (zoom) throughout Florida. I'm available most weekdays and in the evenings.

  • Yes. I am in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, United Healthcare, and Aetna. If I am not in-network with your insurance plan, I can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement and help guide you through the process. My goal is to make therapy as accessible and affordable as possible. Please reach out with any questions about insurance coverage, benefits, or payment options.

  • My approach is warm, collaborative, and personalized to your unique needs and goals. In our initial sessions, we thoroughly explore these issues and collaboratively create a personalized plan for recovery. Most clients experience symptom relief within the first month, with ongoing improvement.