Sandplay Therapists in Gainesville, FL

The Center for Specialized Psychology (CSP) specializes in treating adult women, as well as children, couples and families. At CSP our therapists provide treatment through a trauma-informed approach, offering a safe, nonjudgemental and empowering perspective for all clients.

If you are here, it’s probably because something’s just not right - you're feeling anxious, depressed or having problems with relationships, school, or work. If you are feeling stuck or disconnected from your relationship with others or yourself, you are in the right place to begin healing. I provide support, accountability, and specific tools to navigate difficult situations. I am passionate about helping teens and adults manage difficult emotions, process relationship stressors, and overcome trauma. I have current availability for in person or online therapy and would love to chat with you to see if working together feels like it could be a good fit.

Monica Buttafava is child and adolescent counseling expert who has been working in the field of mental health since 1996. She is devoted to helping children, teens, young adults and their families who are struggling with life's various difficulties traumas and adversities. Monica provides therapy with care and compassion give every individual a greater self-understanding and feel more securely adjusted at home, at school, and with their peers.

What sets Heart Bonds Counseling apart is our balance of warmth and structure. We believe therapy should feel safe and supportive — but also purposeful and effective. Our team is carefully chosen for clinical skill, integrity, and genuine care for the people we serve. From your first contact, you’ll notice that we prioritize responsiveness, thoughtful matching, and a clear path forward. If you’re ready for therapy that is both compassionate and results-oriented, we invite you to reach out.

My practice offers a calm, thoughtful space where you can slow down, feel understood, and explore what truly matters to you. I work collaboratively and at your pace, helping you gain insight and emotional stability. If your ready for meaningful, supportive change with challenges you then I invite you to reach out to me.

Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment, and the city's character and mental health landscape are overwhelmingly shaped by this—a huge, young student population with significant academic, social, and identity-related mental health needs, supported by one of Florida's most comprehensive university counseling systems. UF Health Shands Hospital provides one of the state's strongest behavioral health services, making Gainesville an important regional resource for psychiatric care across north Florida. The population dynamic creates a city that is both progressive and college-town oriented, surrounded by a more rural north Florida context, and therapists in Gainesville work across a wide range of populations and presenting concerns. Common therapy concerns include academic stress, identity development, anxiety, substance use, young adult life transitions, and the particular challenges of a college community navigating mental health support often for the first time.

Gender ID

	61%	Female
	23%	Male
	8%	Gender Fluid
	8%	Non-Binary

Session Type

100%

In Person and Online

Top Specialties

100%	Anxiety or Fears
100%	Depression
100%	Stress
88%	Child or Adolescent Issues
88%	Trauma and PTSD
75%	ADHD
75%	Anger Management

Ages Served

100%	Adult
88%	Teen
75%	Children
75%	Young Adult
50%	Senior

Client Focus

50%	Women
38%	Christian
38%	LGBTQ+
38%	Men
38%	Military / Veterans

Sandplay therapists in Gainesville, FL

Center for Specialized Psychology

Michaela Decker

Monica Buttafava

Heart Bonds Counseling

Katrina Brown

Sandplay Therapy therapists in Gainesville, FL Statistics

Average years in practice

Average cost per session

Accept insurance

Offer sliding scale