Background & Experience

Dr. Elyssa Barbash is a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. She has over eleven years of clinical experiences working in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and partial-hospitalization programs. She has been in private practice for several years, providing both individual and couples therapy.  She is a subject-expert and Tampa Bay’s leading authority in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma, PTSD, other trauma reactions (anger, depression, anxiety, relationship issues), depression, anxiety, marital and couples therapy, and the administration and interpretation of psychological testing.

In addition to private practice, Dr. Barbash is a contributing blogger on PsychologyToday.com.  She previously worked as a Staff Psychologist for the Veterans’ Health Administration at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, where she completed her pre-doctoral internship in trauma psychology specializing in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Additionally, she completed her post-doctoral residency at the James A. Haley VA in general mental health. She has several years of professional experience working with veterans from all war eras, civilians, and active duty military personnel with complex issues such as combat trauma, military sexual trauma, childhood trauma, PTSD, grief, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, Dr. Barbash has years of experience providing comprehensive psychological testing for diagnostic and personality assessment purposes, as well as PTSD/trauma specific assessment.

Specialization

Dr. Barbash’s specialized training in trauma and PTSD has allowed her to focus her clinical work on helping individuals who have experienced psychological trauma or PTSD, as well other trauma reactions (e.g, depression, anxiety, anger, and relationship problems). She is certified in Eye-Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE), which are three gold-standard evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD.

Additionally, she has extensive experience working with other problem areas and is trained in multiple evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She also has significant experience conducting psychological testing and providing pre-marital and marital therapy to couples. She is a current premarital counseling provider for the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.

meet the Tampa Therapy TEAM

 

 

Kelly

Kelly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with extensive experience providing therapeutic services to children, teens, adults, and families. She is passionate about providing a safe and nurturing space to help others who struggle with trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, and a variety of other concerns. Kelly is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Adoption Competency. Through tailoring her approach to meet each client’s needs, her goal is to help them remove barriers to becoming their best selves.

Stefanie B.

Stefanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Master’s Level Certified Addictions Professional in the state of Florida who has over a decade of counseling experience.  She has worked in a variety of counseling settings, which allows her to support individuals from a more holistic perspective.  Stefanie has an eclectic therapeutic style, incorporating multiple modalities to address issues and/or challenges with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and trauma.  She uses Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, as well as Solution Focused Treatments.  Stefanie feels it’s very important for clients to identify and understand their behaviors so they can work to create their best outcomes for success.  

 

Kristina

Kristina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, self esteem and over all mental/emotional wellness. Kristina offers a safe and judgement free space in which each client can gain personal insight and growth. Using cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational enhancement and emotional freedom techniques, she assists clients in identifying and restructuring thinking patterns and belief systems that are underlying their primary concerns allowing them to live a more joyful and fulfilling life.  

Dr. Abuelhiga

Dr. Leila Abuelhiga is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in the treatment of trauma disorders, including trauma related guilt and shame, mood disorders, interpersonal difficulties, family of origin issues, and neurocognitive disorders . She has worked primarily with a veteran population for the last 7 years, but has experience treating children, adolescents, and older adults adults in both an inpatient and outpatient setting. Dr. Abuelhiga is trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT),  Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy for Depression (IPT-D). She also has over 10 years of experience providing comprehensive assessments to inform diagnoses and treatment planning. Dr. Abuelhiga has a strong commitment to, and interest in diversity issues, and frequently provides training, peer consultation and support to colleagues in the field. 
 

Nicollette

Nicollette is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida and completed her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Advanced Certificate in School Counseling at Long Island University in Brookville, NY. Nicollette has significant experience treating anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, trauma and various other concerns. She uses a Cognitive Behavioral approach, as well as, Mindfulness, throughout the therapeutic process. She has a strong passion for helping others and aims to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where her clients feel comfortable in collaboratively working together to accomplish their goals.

 

Patricia

Patricia is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years experience in a range of therapeutic settings, including healthcare programs, inpatient settings, addiction programs, military, and education. She is experienced in dealing with crisis intervention, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, and social emotional wellness with adults, family, group, children, adolescents, and elderly clients. Patricia’s approach emphasizes mutual development of goals for therapy in which each client can holistically become introspective and knowledgeable with their inner self. With the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness, she provides clients with an integrative approach to mental health and wellness.

Jaima

Jaima is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Florida. Jaima has worked in a variety of areas including adoptions, early childhood intervention and hospital-based care. Jaima has experience working with those experiencing grief, depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma. Jaima has been a practitioner of mindfulness for six years and applies this to her clinical practice. In her sessions, challenges and adversity will be transformed into an opportunity for growth, healing and transformation. Jaima’s therapeutic approach is tailored to the individual’s needs, utilizing resources from strengths-based and cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as mindfulness techniques and somatic-based intervention. Jaima has a deep passion to support you through the process of looking deeply within yourself, accepting all parts, and uncovering the courage and resilience that help bring an end to your suffering.  

 

Yaneris

Yaneris is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 6 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, teens, adults, and families. She has experience working with multiple populations including individual who identify as LGBTQ and Transgender, immigrants, and adoptive families. She has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient treatment, outpatient care, community mental health, and DCF affiliated programs, which has allowed her to gain vast experience in accommodating her client’s needs. Yaneris has experience treating multiple concerns including depression, trauma, anxiety, adjustment issues, adoption related issues, gender identity, and self-esteem. She utilizes techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and TBRI techniques. Yaneris strives to always provide a safe space for her clients where they can identify barriers and develop a plan to improve their overall functioning.

Stephanie K.

Stephanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over a decade of experience. She believes that everyone is deserving of a safe place to work through life’s difficulties so she strives to create a warm, welcoming environment that promotes one’s highest potential. A holistic approach is utilized to demonstrate how powerful connectivity of the mind, body, and spirit can be in the healing process and with equipping oneself in successful goal achievement. Stephanie has walked alongside many young adults, mature adults, and couples through difficult periods of life, transitions, and choices. She understands that no single approach is the right one for every individual so is trained in a range of modalities. Stephanie views therapy as a joint venture where combined knowledge and skills are used to determine the best path of treatment and successful outcomes. A large portion of her work is with people across gender, cultural, and sexuality spectrum. Her therapeutic style is centered around respect, understanding, sincerity, and providing a unique perspective to any challenge experienced. Her goal is to help people better understand themselves so they can feel more fulfilled as an individual, partner, and/or professional. Therapy modalities include: CBT, Trauma Focused, Mindfulness, ACT, Solution-Focused, Interpersonal, Personal Skills, and Insight Oriented.

Contact Us

Emergency: In case of an emergency, please dial 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. If someone is having thoughts of suicide please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. We DO NOT see walk-ins or provide emergency services on site.

Connecting with clients is an important part of the therapy process. Please give us a call at 813-474-9395 to discuss your therapy goals and schedule an appointment.  Please note, services are by appointment only.

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