Joshua Persaud, MS, RMHCI – Clinical Associate Therapist

My approach to therapy starts with building a genuine and meaningful therapeutic relationship. I think it can be difficult to talk openly about the parts of your life that are painful, confusing, personal, or even difficult to put into words if you do not feel comfortable with the person sitting across from you. Because of that, I believe the relationship we build is an important part of the work itself. I want to get to know you as a person, not just the problem that brought you into therapy. We all have experiences, relationships, values, and histories that shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Even when I am working with one person, I am interested in the relationships and environments surrounding them because none of us develops in isolation. Taking the time to understand those things can help us make sense of what is happening in your life now.

From there, I want our work to focus on what is meaningful to you. Therapy does not have to look the same for everyone, and I do not believe there is one right way to approach life. Together, we can explore the changes you would like to make, the patterns that may keep showing up, and the things that feel important to you. I see therapy as something we do together. I bring my education, training, and perspective into the room, but you are the person who has lived your life. My role is not to take over your story or tell you what the right answer is. Instead, I help you explore your experiences, recognize patterns, consider different perspectives, and move toward changes that feel meaningful to you.

My interest in becoming a therapist was inspired by my own family and friends. Through the people closest to me, I began to see how difficult experiences and struggles with mental health can affect not only one person, but also the people around them and the relationships within their lives. From a young age, I found myself naturally curious about people. I was often observing, asking questions, and trying to understand people for who they were. I became interested in the experiences that shaped them, the ways they saw the world, and how those experiences influenced their relationships and the way they understood themselves.

Over time, that curiosity developed into a deeper fascination with psychology and philosophy. I found myself drawn to learning about people, their experiences, and the different ways we make meaning out of our lives. Eventually, that interest led me toward the field of therapy and gave me the opportunity to turn something I had always been genuinely curious about into meaningful work with others.

If you have never been to therapy before, I completely understand why the idea of starting might feel intimidating. You may be wondering what you are supposed to say, whether your problems are serious enough for therapy, or what it will be like to sit down and talk to someone you have never met about parts of your life that may feel very personal. The truth is that you do not need to have everything figured out before you come in. You do not need to know exactly what you want to work on, and you do not need to come prepared with the perfect explanation of what is going on. Some people come into therapy knowing exactly why they are there, while others simply know that something in their life does not feel right.

By looking at this page, you have already taken a step toward addressing whatever situation you may be facing. Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big decision, especially when you are not sure what to expect. We can start wherever you are. You do not need to force yourself to have all the answers before we begin. We can take the time to understand what has been happening and figure out together what you would like to get out of therapy.

I work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families who may be dealing with anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, recurring patterns, major life changes, family challenges, conflict, disconnection, or simply the feeling that something in life is not working the way they would like it to. For individuals, therapy might involve understanding why certain situations affect you the way they do, exploring patterns that keep appearing in your relationships, navigating a transition, managing anxiety or feeling overwhelmed, or developing a deeper understanding of yourself.

When working with children and teens, I recognize that young people often communicate and process their experiences differently than adults. With children, I incorporate play-based therapeutic techniques to help them express emotions, explore experiences, build coping skills, and work through challenges in ways that feel natural and developmentally appropriate. With teens, therapy can provide a supportive space to navigate emotions, stress, identity, relationships, family dynamics, school-related challenges, and the many transitions that come with adolescence.

I also work with couples and families who may be struggling with communication, conflict, connection, trust, or changes within their relationships. Sometimes the challenge is something very specific, while other times people simply know that the relationship does not feel the way they want it to anymore. Part of our work can involve understanding the patterns that have developed between you and finding different ways of responding to one another.

I believe therapy offers an opportunity to become curious about parts of yourself and your relationships that you may not have had the time or space to explore before. Together, we can look at the experiences that have shaped you, the patterns that continue to show up, and what those patterns may be telling us. Sometimes the goal of therapy is clear from the beginning, and sometimes part of the process is discovering what you actually need. You do not have to come in already knowing exactly where the conversation will lead.

Our practice is in network with several health insurance companies, including Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna/CVS/Meritain, BCBS/Florida Blue,  and others. Please call us at 954-559-2936 for details.