Welcome to The Bravo Counseling Group’s Site!

Written by Laura Peddie-Bravo, LMHC, NCC, Qualified Supervisor, Owner, 1-8-25
Photo by Sebastian Palomino on Pexels.com

We’re glad you’re here – welcome!

While you’re here, we’d like to share some basic information about our practice and how it works. The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC is owned by Laura Peddie-Bravo, who is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor for over 20 years. She graduated with her Masters degree from The University of Central Florida’s CACREP accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She is a Qualified Supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns (and currently has openings for supervision).

Our reason for existing is to help our clients achieve their goals. After an initial appointment, (many call the first appointment an “intake appointment”), your therapist will create a Treatment Plan just for you. A Treatment Plan consists of your goals, objectives for those goals, and how your Therapist is going to help you achieve them.

How do we help people achieve their goals? Our practice is primarily based on Cognitive -Behavioral tools and techniques, however, if that isn’t someone’s preferred method we are well versed with other forms of therapy, i.e. Gestalt, Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, etc., and can incorporate many other techniques and tools into a client’s counseling sessions. We also strive to keep up to date on the latest research and latest treatment options available for our clients.

Some of our specialties include, but are at not limited to the following: Depression, Treatment Resistant Depression, (TRD), Anxiety, Treatment Resistant Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, (for both the identified client and support for the family), Post Partum conditions, (depression, anxiety and more), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (including C-PTSD). We primarily focus on Individual Counseling, however we are well versed in Family and Couples Counseling.

We realize Counseling can be costly, and we strive to give our clients the most for their hard earned dollars, for example by having full hour appointments, and phone support in between appointments when needed. The treatment plan mentioned earlier also helps keep the Therapist and Client focused on the goals of each appointment, eliminating wasted time. It is our goal to talk ourselves out of a job!

We also have a canine therapy dog on site – if wanted. Daisy is a seven year old rescue who is half Pug and half Shar Pei. She loves people! There are photos of Daisy under our “Office Photos” tab.

Lastly, our practice is still primarily pen and paper. We do not utilize any Electronic Healthcare Record programs. While this may seem a bit archaic, confidentially is of utmost importance to us for our clients. You can rest assured your confidential information is safe with us!

We welcome your questions! Please feel free to call 407-222-6239 to schedule a complimentary phone appointment.

Summer Office Hours

awesome roses 5-17-14

Summer Office Hours

Between June 1st and August 14th Client Appointments will be scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. (Please note: The July 4th Holiday will be on a Friday this year and it  will not affect The Bravo Counseling Group’s regular office hours.)  It is generally easier to schedule appointments during the summer, however, in order to ensure your preference of day and time, please call in advance to schedule.  To schedule an appointment,  schedule a complimentary phone call, or to ask a question, please call 407-222-6239. Please know that we offer free  phone consultations in order to do our best to make sure you and your counselor are a good fit and answer any questions you may have.  We do provide Pro-Bono services year round, however, those Pro-Bono appointments are currently full. If we are unable to assist you for some reason, we are happy to help connect you with other resources.

Three Tips for Dealing With The Boston Tragedy

Driving hoambulenceme with my child in the back seat, I learned something terrible had happened in Boston. I choose not to tune into local new stations due to graphic content, but I did pull my car over and checked the news on my Iphone. What I read was horrifying; critical wounds, dismemberment, and death in an instant after two bombs exploded in a heavily crowded area near the end of the Boston Marathon.

What does one do in the face of such horror?

First of all, if you find yourself deeply upset by this event, do not turn on the news coverage today. You already know what happened; and right now, no one knows any more. The details will come out eventually, but be patient and stop seeking news, and, by all means, do not look at the photos. They will only upset you more.

Secondly, know that while there was great horror and tragedy, there were also great heroics. Many people rushed towards the chaos to help victims. People who were spectators became engaged, ripping off their own clothing to make tourniquets for the wounded. In the midst of unthinkable pain and agony there was also amazing love, kindness, compassion, and bravery – things which we are so thankful for in our fellow Americans.

Third, hug your loved ones. Forget the worries of the day, the bad traffic, the parking ticket, the late fee, the spilled drink, or stain on the new carpet. It all pales in light of today’s tragedy. Let’s focus on our loved ones, hold them tight, and be thankful we are together.

There are many more ways to deal with trauma, and for more information, contact your counselor, spiritual adviser, the Red Cross, NAMI, or your local physician.

Resources:

http://www.NAMI.org

The Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery/recovering-emotionally

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/index.asp