Trauma-Informed Therapy In Florida

Meet Your Counselor

Alison Burgess (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #3599) works with individuals, couples, and families to create healthier relationships, recover from trauma, and build more fulfilling lives. With over 16 years of combined experience as both a therapist and a personal trainer, Alison brings a unique and deep understanding of the connection between the mind and body, and how the relationships we build across the lifespan shape who we are and how we function.

Florida Faces Serious Mental, Behavioral Health, and Chronic Health Challenges

  • About 11.2% of Florida adults report having multiple (3 or more) chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, etc. (America's Health Rankings)

  • Around 14.81% of adults in Florida had a Substance Use Disorder in the past year. (fha.org+1)

  • Illicit drug use in the past month among Floridians age 12 or older is approximately 16.13%. (SAMHSA)

  • More than 17.49% of Florida adults experience some form of mental illness. (fha.org+1)

  • Florida ranks #1 in the U.S. for the total number of adults reporting mental illness (about 3 million adults), though it’s lower in per‑capita prevalence compared to some states. (fha.org+1)

  • Many adults reporting mental health issues also report unmet treatment needs: cost, lack of insurance, stigma, or treatment access are frequently cited barriers.

Mental and Behavioral Health in Florida

Payment and Insurance Options


Several options are available for paying for your services, including self-pay and out-of-network benefits reimbursement.

Why Trauma-Informed Therapy Is Essential in Florida

In Florida, trauma, emotional distress, disordered eating, and substance use frequently co-exist—but they’re rarely addressed together in a supportive, nonjudgmental way. Many people experience symptoms that don’t fit neatly into a diagnosis, and cultural stigma, religious pressure, or discomfort with traditional care often delay healing.

Across Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and rural areas throughout the state, clients seek therapy that’s flexible, affirming, and grounded in real understanding—not just labels.

Common reasons people reach out include:

  • Complex trauma or unresolved childhood experiences

  • Religious trauma or experiences in controlling environments

  • Disordered eating, body image stress, or shame around appearance

  • LGBTQ+ identity, gender-based stress, or cultural rejection

  • Anxiety, depression, or emotional suppression

  • Burnout, perfectionism, or chronic guilt

  • Grief, loss, or feeling disconnected from self and others

Therapy often starts with a feeling that something isn’t right—even if no one else has named it yet. If you live in Florida and want trauma-informed therapy rooted in respect, clinical skill, and lived insight, schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if this approach feels like a match.

Florida Telehealth FAQ

  • Yes. Many people in Florida face overlapping emotional, relational, and identity-based challenges—especially related to trauma, body image, and stress-related illness. Therapy can help you better understand what’s going on, process past experiences, and build more supportive ways of coping and living.

  • Not at all. People in urban areas like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville use online therapy for its privacy, flexibility, and convenience. Whether you're balancing shift work, caregiving, or simply want care from home, virtual sessions reduce travel time and emotional friction.

  • Yes. Many clients in Florida seek care for experiences tied to family control, harmful belief systems, or social rejection. You don’t have to “prove” your pain or have a formal diagnosis—therapy here is about healing the impact of what you've lived through.

  • Even if the therapy isn’t for your child, sessions can help you better understand family patterns, parent-child relationships, and your own responses. Trauma-informed therapy creates space for reflection, relief, and more effective support.

  • Yes. Counseling services are delivered by a licensed clinician authorized to provide care in Florida. Telehealth is secure, private, and fully legal when you’re physically located in the state at the time of your session.