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I know well that starting therapy can feel formidable and thoroughly overwhelming, and on occasion, the absolute hardest step of all is merely beginning. In spite of that, you are here, and you are actively setting out on your personal journey to heal and reconstruct. I warmly invite the opportunity to communicate with you and learn how I might best help you. My professional style is kind, deeply empathetic, and shared.

As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am committed to delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care that prioritizes your safety and long-term wellness. I believe in treating the whole person, not just symptoms, and I strive to create a supportive, respectful environment where you feel heard and valued. My goal is to partner with you in a way that fosters trust, empowerment, and meaningful progress.

I have been in private practice for 20 years and am passionate about my work. Individuals, couples and families often come to me during life transitions hoping to form new and healthier patterns. They often describe feeling stuck, unmotivated, anxious or depressed and revert to unsuccessful habits. Parents often feel drained and overwhelmed. They want tools to reduce conflict and to feel closer to there children pr partner. I will create a space where we can safely explore your thoughts, overcome obstacles and build a more fulfilling life. My work with you will be interactive, compassionate and goal oriented. Whether you have come here to seek relief from pain, guidance with a partner, help building self esteem, or just want more meaning in your life, therapy can help. I commend you on taking this step to emotional health.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in New York with over fifteen years of experience working as a therapist and a coach. I support clients navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, OCD, parenting problems, career challenges, and life transitions.

I've worked with adolescents, couples, and families and I value creating a space where clients feel safe, understood and supported. I'm direct, yet compassionate, and I am not afraid to help you explore the "elephant in the room" so we can get to the root of what's keeping you stuck.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in helping adults break free from long-standing emotional and relational patterns that keep them stuck in anxiety, disconnection, or self-doubt. My work is grounded in the belief that healing happens not just through insight, but through learning how to feel safe, regulated, and connected both within yourself and in relationship with others.

I earned My Master’s degree in Social Work and is clinically trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS – Level 1), EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic-Based Practices, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, Psychedelics Integration, and Narrative Therapy. I integrate trauma-informed, nervous-system-focused approaches to help clients move beyond coping and into meaningful, embodied change. My style is collaborative, compassionate, and direct, supporting clients in developing self-trust while gently challenging patterns that no longer serve them.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked extensively in the health and wellness field, including roles in movement, bodywork, and mind-body practices. This background strongly informs my holistic approach to therapy and understanding of how emotional experiences are stored and expressed in the body. I pay close attention to how stress, trauma, and attachment wounds show up not just in thoughts, but in physical sensations, behaviors, and relationship dynamics.

In therapy, I help clients build emotional resilience, strengthen communication skills, and develop the capacity to stay grounded during uncomfortable or vulnerable moments. My goal is not to “fix” clients, but to help them understand themselves more deeply, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and create relationships and lives that feel aligned, fulfilling, and sustainable.

Avril Lindsay Dennis, LCSW-QS(FL), CGP®, LCSW-R (NY), has been a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over twenty years. After earning her graduate degree from Fordham University, she pursued postgraduate training, including a certificate in Interpersonal Trauma. This became a passionate area of specialty for her, which also includes understanding the needs of individuals with substance use disorders & providing mental health support for those in twelve-step programs.

Over her career, Avril has specialized in treating & supervising the care of children & adolescents with trauma & psychiatric illnesses within child welfare, juvenile justice, & mental health settings. Avril has worked with adults in crisis situations, as well as those with long term medical issues.

She has collaborated with two service dog organizations over the years, taught & presented on the topic & trained & worked with several of her own therapy dogs. She and her current therapy dog, Eli, continue to volunteer in various programs.

In 2016, after a successful career in New York City, she relocated to Central Florida to continue her public service work.

In her spare time, Avril enjoys spending time with her spouse & dogs, relaxing at home, camping, visiting the beach, sewing & crafting. She works to find gratitude for every moment life presents.