Meet Our Team

Melissa Bretz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She obtained both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The University of South Florida. A passion for caring and helping others has always been a priority for Melissa. Being a therapist is a life long dream come true and it shows in the work she achieves with her clients.

She enjoys working with children, adults, and adolescents conquering many of life challenges such as stress, low self esteem, family relational issues, loss, anxiety and depression. Therapy interventions mainly used are Cognitive Behavior Therapy CBT, Solution Focused, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Sand Play, Relaxation, Grounding techniques, and Play Therapy.

Katrina graduated from the University of South Florida with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, along with a Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. She operates from a trauma-informed integrative approach blending different therapeutic modalities to support each unique individual. Utilizing techniques from existential therapy, she helps clients find meaning and purpose, especially useful for those navigating life transitions, such as loss, and individuals experiencing anxiety and depression. Katrina assists individuals in uncovering their core beliefs and meeting their emotional needs through schema therapy techniques.

She helps clients explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to make choices that align with their values. She assists individuals in developing coping skills, such as mindfulness and relaxation strategies. When working with couples, Katrina uses emotionally focused therapy techniques to help each person express their feelings and needs, working toward secure attachment with one another. She assists families in developing problem-solving skills and deepening their connections with each other. Katrina sees clients both in-person and online through secure telehealth. She works under the supervision of Melissa Bretz, LCSW and a qualified LMHC supervisor.

Maria achieved her master’s degree from the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program at the University of South Florida. She has 4+ years of experience in the mental health field with focuses on crisis work, behavioral therapy, child-centered approaches, and trauma. Maria is a bilingual therapist that embraces using cultural components that the client feels fitting into session. Maria primarily focuses on working with people that feel distress and frustration with their current relationships. No matter if this is a relationship with a partner, family member, or yourself, she will help you build on your acceptance, self-esteem, self-compassion, and personalized goals to maintain more meaningful relationships. Maria’s holistic approach will allow you to explore and reflect on the interaction of all your relationship dynamics and help you process past experiences that have shaped these dynamics.

In addition to this, you will be able to work on your emotional regulation skills and the coping strategies you integrate. Some of Maria’s approaches include Play Therapy Techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Maria does couples sessions, family sessions, and individual sessions either in person or telehealth. With Maria you can gain the clarity you have been seeking no matter where you currently are at. She works under the supervision of Melissa Bretz LCSW and a Qualified LMHC Supervisor.

Natalia holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and is currently registered to practice in the state of Florida under the supervision of Melissa Bretz, LCSW and a qualified LMHC Supervisor. She is passionate about working with children, teens, young adults, and families, with a particular focus on supporting communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Her areas of specialization include helping clients navigate challenges such as trauma, anxiety, ADHD, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, stress and burnout, parenting struggles, relationship dynamics, grief and loss, and the unique journey of young millennials stepping into adulthood.

Natalia utilizes creative, personalized, and evidence-based approaches that strengthen and empower her clients to reach their full potential. These modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strength-Based, Structural Family, Attachment-Based, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Narrative Therapy, Trauma Focused, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Person-Centered Therapy.

She has developed a rhythm within her craft by taking a strength and client-based approach, rooted in the belief that every individual, child, and/or family possesses the inner resources to drive change. She provides psychoeducation, validation, guidance, and support to facilitate this process. Natalia is dedicated to her work and is honored to guide clients toward their desired goals. She approaches each client with pride, support, and enthusiasm for being a part of their journey.

Desiree holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. With over four years of experience in the mental health field, she has worked with a diverse range of clients, including those in corrections, struggling with substance use, experiencing homelessness, learning disabilities, and life transitions. Desiree is currently practicing under the supervision of Melissa Bretz, LCSW and a qualified LMHC Supervisor.

As an eclectic therapist, Desiree utilizes various modalities to tailor her approach to each client's unique needs. Some of her preferred therapeutic techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Reality Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She primarily focuses on clients' thought processes and behaviors, exploring how these elements influence their sense of wholeness and well-being.

Desiree believes in the power of self-perception and the ability to choose behaviors daily. She's passionate about empowering individuals to author their own stories and reclaim control over their lives. Her eclectic approach is complemented by mindfulness and relaxation techniques, which emphasize developing coping skills, fostering self-esteem, and cultivating self-compassion to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Working with a wide demographic, from children and teens to adults, Desiree meets clients where they are in their journey of change. She adopts a client-centered approach characterized by empathy, congruence, and genuineness, allowing them to facilitate meaningful growth. She finds great satisfaction in supporting individuals through difficult life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, career challenges, and substance use issues. Desiree helps clients uncover their core values and sense of identity. By engaging in collaborative exploration, she assists them in gaining deeper self-understanding and equips them with effective skills to navigate life's challenges.