About Dr. Chantal Marie Gagnon, Ph.D., LMHC  – Psychotherapist in Plantation FL

Make an appointment with Dr. Chantal, Psychotherapist in Plantation FL
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Dr. Gagnon is a Life Coach, Couples Counselor, and Psychotherapist in Plantation FL .  Below are some highlights of her training and education.  For more information on Dr. Gagnon and the counseling services she offers, here are some other sections of this website that may be of interest to you:

Dr. Gagnon’s Office and Counseling Philosophy

A Personal Message from Dr. Chantal

Client Testimonials about Dr. Gagnon

How Therapy / Counseling can Benefit You

Dr. Gagnon’s Training and Education

Dr. Gagnon began her mental health counseling career many years ago, in her early 20’s when she received training and volunteered as a crisis hotline counselor for a domestic violence shelter.

During her time as an undergraduate student, she took a variety of psychology and related courses, including General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Child Development, Social Psychology, Sociology, Women’s Issues, Victimization, Criminology, and others.

After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree, she was offered a position in healthcare management and eventually became Director of Operations for a consulting firm in the pharmaceutical industry.

After a ten-year business career in healthcare, Dr. Gagnon decide to make a career change and return to her passion, Psychology and decided to become a psychotherapist in Plantation FL.

Center for Psychological Studies – NSU

She went on to receive a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University.  And then received a second Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology (sometimes called “Human Development” or “Child Psychology”).

FAU – Dept. of Psychology

She received her Doctorate degree in Social and Personality Psychology at Florida Atlantic University, where she was an adjunct professor of counseling, and supervised a psychology research lab who’s main areas of study were postpartum depression, neuro-physiology and empathy development.

She is the co-author of a chapter in “Empathy in Mental Illness “, a Cambridge University Press psychiatric/medical textbook.

Work Experience and Specialized Training

Dr. Gagnon has worked in a variety of mental health, social work, and psychology settings, including children’s mental health services, therapy for adolescents in the juvenile justice system, community mental health centers, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and substance abuse detox facilities.

For the last 10 years or so, she has been a psychotherapist in Plantation FL, relationship counselor, and life coach in private practice serving Plantation and the surrounding cities of Davie FL, Weston FL, Sunrise FL, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Cooper City, FL, and Tamarac FL .

Dr. Gagnon has also received specialized training in:

• Substance Abuse and Addictions
• Trauma and PTSD
• Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
• Couples Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Treatment for Anxiety
• Depression Treatment
• Play Therapy Techniques for Children
• Group Counseling
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Humanistic Counseling
• Personality Disorders
• Forensic Evaluations
• Custody Evaluations and Parenting Plans
• NeuroPsychological Evaluations
• Courtroom Testimony for Healthcare Professionals
• Emotional-Cognitive Processing Therapy

She has attended professionals training workshop taught by leaders in the field of Psychology and Counseling, such as:

Training with Patch Adams was AWESOME!

• Patch Adams, M.D. (the real one, not Robin Williams!)
• Donald Michenbaum
• Marsha Linehan
• Irving Polster
• Albert Ellis
• Aaron and Judith Beck
• Irving Yalom
• Albert Bandura
• Cloe Madanes
• The Gottman’s
• and others

Dr. Gagnon is dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of clinical competence to offer her clients and patients the best counseling experience and therapy results possible.  That’s why Dr. Gagnon continues to attend continuing education workshops, specialized training, and conferences on a regular basis.  She is a frequent attendee at professional conferences such as the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Evolution of Psychotherapy.

Dr. Gagnon is also a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP), Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and is Board Certified in Professional Counseling.

What It’s Like to Be Dr. Chantal’s Client

Sessions with Dr. Chantal feel relaxed and are confidential.

With all that professional training, you can rest assured, that you or your family is in good hands with Dr. Gagnon!  But, what’s most important to her is to provide a relaxed, informal, non-judgement place where you can explore your issues, find solutions to your challenges, and create the life and relationships you’ve always wanted.  Dr. Gagnon’s clients find her to be warm, friendly, and easy to talk to.  She has a down-to-earth attitude, and realizes that all of us (her too!) have areas of our lives that can use a little tune-up!