Category Archives: Self Esteem

Navigating Mental Health Support: Community Resources in Greater Orlando FL

31 Saturday Jan 2026

Posted by in family counseling, Family Therapy, FL, Florida, grief, Mental Health Counseling, Mood Disorder, Orlando, PTSD, sadness, Self Esteem, telehealth, video

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Mental health challenges affect many people, yet finding the right support can feel overwhelming. In Greater Orlando, FL, a variety of community resources offer help tailored to different needs. These services provide accessible, local options for individuals seeking mental health support. This article highlights key community organizations, including faith-based services, that can guide you or your loved ones toward better mental health.

Local Mental Health Services in Greater Orlando

Orlando has several organizations dedicated to mental health care, offering counseling, crisis intervention, and support groups. These services often work closely with the community to provide affordable and culturally sensitive care.

Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN)

CFBHN coordinates mental health services across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. They connect individuals to treatment programs, crisis services, and recovery support.

Aspire Health Partners

Aspire offers outpatient counseling, psychiatric services, and substance use treatment. They serve children, adults, and families with a focus on recovery and wellness.

Orange County Crisis Center

For immediate help, the Orange County Crisis Center provides 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.

Faith-Based Mental Health Support

Faith communities in Orlando play a significant role in mental health support. Many offer counseling, support groups, and spiritual guidance that complement traditional mental health care.

Catholic Charities of Central Florida

Catholic Charities provides counseling services that respect clients’ faith backgrounds. They offer individual and family counseling, focusing on emotional and spiritual well-being.

Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando

This organization offers mental health counseling, support groups, and crisis intervention with sensitivity to Jewish cultural and religious values.

The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command

The Salvation Army provides counseling and support services, including programs for addiction recovery and family support, grounded in Christian principles.

Support for Specific Groups

Certain organizations focus on mental health support for specific populations, such as veterans, youth, or those experiencing homelessness.

Veterans Treatment Court of Orange County

This court program connects veterans with mental health and substance use treatment instead of incarceration, helping them access community resources.

The Center Orlando

Serving the LGBTQ+ community, The Center offers counseling, peer support groups, and crisis intervention tailored to LGBTQ+ mental health needs.

Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

This coalition provides mental health referrals and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness, helping connect them to housing and care.

How to Access These Resources

Finding the right mental health support starts with identifying your needs and reaching out. Many organizations offer intake assessments by phone or online. Here are some tips to get started:

  • Call the crisis center if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency.
  • Contact local providers like Aspire Health Partners or Catholic Charities for counseling and outpatient services.
  • Explore faith-based options if you prefer support that integrates spiritual guidance.
  • Use community hotlines to learn about available programs and eligibility.

Online and Telehealth Options

Telehealth is a good option after stabilization (not in a crisis) to heal and for ongoing care. Technology has expanded access to mental health care, especially important in Tampa’s diverse community.

  • Many local providers now offer teletherapy sessions, allowing clients to receive counseling from home.
  • Online platforms connect residents with licensed therapists for flexible scheduling.
  • Virtual support groups and workshops help maintain community connections without geographic barriers.

Telehealth options increase convenience and reduce stigma by offering private, accessible care.

Loving Therapy™ Telehealth Services

In addition to our local office, for those who prefer or require remote access to mental health care, Loving Therapy™ stands out as a compassionate telehealth option based in Florida. Unlike large online telehealth companies, Loving Therapy™ focuses on personalized care with licensed therapists who understand local community needs.

What Loving Therapy™ Offers

  • Licensed Therapists  

  All therapists are fully licensed and trained in evidence-based practices.

  • Flexible Scheduling  

  Sessions can be booked outside typical office hours, making it easier to fit therapy into busy lives.

  • Secure and Private  

  The platform uses encrypted video calls to ensure confidentiality.

  • Wide Range of Services  

  Therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and more.

  • Affordable Options  

  Sliding scale fees and payment plans are available to reduce financial barriers.

Loving Therapy™ allows residents of the greater Orlando area to access quality mental health care without the need to travel or wait for in-person appointments.

Taking the Next Step

Mental health support is available in Greater Orlando through a network of community organizations. These resources provide personalized care, crisis intervention, and ongoing support. If you or someone you care about is struggling, reaching out to these local services can be the first step toward healing.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. Use the phone numbers and websites listed here to connect with professionals who understand your community and your needs. Your mental health matters, and support is within reach.

http://www.truelovingtherapy.com

Mr. Fred Rogers on Love

25 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in Bullying, CBT, Celebrity, child counseling, Children, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Love, Meditation, Play Therapy, Self Esteem

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A recent movie hit the theaters this year about Fred Rogers, American television personality, puppeteer, writer, musician, producer, and Presbyterian pastor who also helped to secure millions dollars in federal funding for a new concept: Public Television. Fred Rogers passed in 2003, survived by his wife, two sons, and three grandsons. And, apparently, was survived by a distant relative named Tom Hanks also!

Inspirational Quotes can be helpful in times of stress. ‘Just do it’, for example, and ‘This too shall pass.’ Here are some quotes and words of wisdom from Fred Rogers.

“At many times throughout their lives, children will feel like the world has turned topsy-turvy. It’s not the ever-present smile that will help them feel secure. It’s knowing that love can hold many feelings, including sadness, and that they can count on the people they love to be with them until the world turns right side up again.”

-Fred Rogers

What wonderful words of inspiration from Mr. Rogers on love.

 

http://www.truelovingtherapy.org

Vulnerability and Boundaries

06 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Bi-Polar, Brain Imaging and Counseling, Creativity, Depression, Discrimination, mental illness, Mood Disorder, Psychiatry, Recovery, Schizophrenia, Self Esteem, Shame, vulnerability

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I so appreciate people like Kay Redfield Jameson and Elen Saks for having the courage and the leverage in their life and position in order to share about their success, mental illness, and stigma they have overcome. I think that society’s attitude has changed even in the last 5 years. I have read case law on a slander law suit even for calling someone ‘bipolar’ when this was their diagnosis by a doctor, because it was used to refer to them as though that is all of who they were. Many people who have mental illness are also very skilled and successful in professional jobs but even if they were not, the assumptions and defamation that people incur with labels may be slanderous and incriminating.

Though I love Brene Brown and what she has shared many people’s ‘vulnerabilities’ publicly pale in comparison to these two women- Dr. Jameson and Dr. Saks. We may feel extreme shame regarding issues that may not incur nearly the consequences of stigma and shame, or rather ‘discrimination’, that mental illnesses have across centuries. Some issues are more taboo. Brene says, “They have to earn the right to hear our story.” Conversely, these women paid out for skeptics and critics to benefit from hearing their stories backed up with their credentials. I am certain there were some worthy friends who earned the right to hear their stories and saw them through. When statistics show nearly one in five people suffer with mental illness we must know we all have family members and friends also suffering in silence. Clearly society is not ready for many people to share about the mental illness they have suffered and even overcome, publicly.  I love what Dr. Brown has to say about shame and vulnerability being the birth place of innovation and the man in the arena.


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What can you do about this in Gainesville, FL this month?

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Gainesville, FL Annual Mental Illness Awareness Walk to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. NAMI Gainesville (National Allinance on Mental Illness) provides education, advocacy and support for family members and individuals dealing with a mental illness. All services offered are free. Help NAMI by showing support and donating funds if you can. T-Shirts to anyone donating at least $10

https://www.facebook.com/events/271164809934041/

 

http://www.lovingtherapy.com

Rachel Hofer, MS

 

Body Image

02 Thursday May 2013

Posted by in Body Image, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Depression, Eating Disorders, Self Esteem

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Men and women make jokes about our sensitivity regarding body image. Do I look fat in this? However, body image is a serious issue. On the far end of this continuum this issue may lead to eating disorders and depression. Eating Disorders affect  millions of people, are the most common of mental disorders among women and girls, are often chronic, associated with limited functioning in everyday life, suicidal thoughts, may result in severe medical problems, and even death (Seligman, 333).

Unfortunately, less than one third of people who live with an eating disorder ever enter into treatment (Seligman, 341).

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is better than no treatment, medication alone, and other forms of therapy for Eating Disorders (Seligman, 341). Changes in thinking, identifying triggers, and working with a therapist who cares and can listen works not just to manage symptoms but to get to the root of the problems underlying the cycle. Body image is often a huge component. Often a nutritionist can be a helpful member of the team and consulting with a doctor for medical examination and treatment is a must. Although, some people do not ever live completely free of the symptoms, many do. They learn to function and enjoy their lives more fully. A therapist can help to deal with the stress of living with the disorder as well as to tackle the underlying issues and changes in thinking and behavior that need to occur to live free of the disorder.

The first step is to come out of the denial. A friend or family member can have a huge impact on a person taking that first step. A healthy community encourages one another and the relationships among our friends, family, and neighbors are essential to the healing that takes place (Crabb, xii). Be a friend. Be a listener. Be understanding. Show respect. Hold up and bear the weight of others weaknesses where you can and you will experience so much joy in being a part of the process of connecting and healing!


Someone also made a spoof of how men all think they are good looking. Now though it is funny, men also struggle with body image and it is no joke. The female to male difference in prevalence is about three to one. Body image concerns have increased dramatically over the last three decades for men also.

Crabb, Larry. (1997). Connecting. Nashville, TN: Word Publishing.

Seligman, Linda & Reichenberg, Lourie W. (2007). Selecting Effective Treatments, Third Edition. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Rachel Hofer

http://www.lovingtherapy.com

Power Poses

15 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Body Language, Hormones, Self Esteem

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I am also certified in group exercise instruction and Yoga. Somatic therapies that use the mind-body connection are powerful.

I keep bringing up this TED talk with students and clients. The research she did shows that power poses increase Testosterone and reduce Cortisol levels (high Cortisol correlates with stress). Warrior pose from yoga in the bathroom stall before your next interview! NOT IN THE INTERVIEW! I wonder how poses that are more serene affect our hormones such as the mountain pose, the tree, or some stretches. . .

After using power poses on a regular basis (along with deep breathing, butterfly hugs, positive affirmation, mindfulness, guided meditation, exercise, and poses) 2-3 times a week for a few months you can feel so different. Anxiety, stress, and that feeling of going going going can be GONE. It can work like a drug.

Rachel Hofer

http://www.lovingtherapy.com

*The form of yoga I teach does not include religious practices or Hindu theology. There are different forms of meditation which I do not practice in these classes because of my spiritual convictions and yoga may not be appropriate for everyone. Yoga is a term that has different definitions so please be mindful. Phil. 4:8, 2 Cor. 10:5

You Are Sitting Next to True Beauty

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Christian Counseling, Self Esteem

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In my masters program I sat next to this woman for a whole semester and worked on a project with her. We created the Orlando Dream Center for Girls to help teen girls with the many many issues and disorders that relate to self esteem. I knew she was gorgeously beautiful but I had no idea she was a super model with an amazing story to tell!

Jennifer Strickland is another model with a great story of her journey with her self-esteem.

 

For more info from Rachel Hofer check www.lovingtherapy.com