Gabriel Benaim
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida who works with adults and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, self-esteem, and emotional overwhelm. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that therapy should feel both supportive and practical. I draw from person-centered therapy, CBT, ACT, psychodynamic approaches, mindfulness, and other evidence-based tools depending on what fits each person best. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Some clients benefit from learning concrete skills and strategies, while others need space to better understand their patterns, relationships, emotions, and past experiences. My goal is to create a space where you can be honest without feeling judged, gain a deeper understanding of yourself, and work toward meaningful changes that actually fit your life. Whether you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply ready to understand yourself better, we can work together to figure out what is getting in the way and what moving forward can look like for you.
First session
Our first session is a chance for us to slow down and understand what has been happening in your life, what feels most difficult right now, and what you hope will change through therapy. I will ask about your current concerns, relevant history, relationships, strengths, and the ways you have been coping. You do not need to arrive with everything organized or know exactly where to begin. I will help guide the conversation while giving you space to share at a pace that feels comfortable. We will also discuss what has and has not helped before, identify initial goals, and begin deciding which approaches may be most useful for you. By the end of the session, I want you to have a clearer sense of how we may work together and what the next steps could look like.
Strengths
I bring warmth, curiosity, and genuine engagement to my sessions. I do not believe therapy should feel like being analyzed from across the room. I aim to be an active partner who listens closely, asks thoughtful questions, and helps you recognize patterns that may be difficult to see on your own. My approach balances acceptance with gentle challenge. I will give you room to process what you are feeling, but I will also help you move beyond repeatedly discussing the same problems without direction. I draw from CBT, ACT, person-centered, psychodynamic, mindfulness, and somatic approaches, adapting the work to what is most useful for you. I am especially attentive to the connection between emotional experiences and physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, fatigue, chest tightness, or feeling constantly on edge. As a bilingual therapist, I also value the role that language, culture, family expectations, faith, and identity can play in a person’s experience.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are teens and adults who may seem capable and composed on the outside but feel anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or exhausted underneath. You may spend hours overthinking, struggle to keep up with responsibilities, feel disconnected from yourself, or notice stress showing up through headaches, tension, fatigue, or feeling constantly on edge. You may also be navigating a major transition, relationship difficulty, family pressure, trauma, or challenges with focus and motivation. You are looking for therapy that offers practical support while also helping you understand the deeper patterns behind what you are experiencing. You do not need to have everything figured out, only a willingness to be honest, curious, and open to change.
Origin story
I was drawn to becoming a therapist for both personal and professional reasons. I’ve always been deeply curious about people, what shapes us, why we respond to life the way we do, and what helps us heal and grow. That curiosity became much more meaningful through my own experiences. I’ve gone through difficult periods in my life, and therapy was immensely helpful in helping me understand myself, work through those struggles, and find a way forward. I know firsthand how heavy, isolating, and hopeless those darker places can feel, and I also know how powerful it can be to have someone genuinely listen, understand, and help you see possibilities that can be difficult to see on your own. Those experiences played a major role in why I chose this profession. I wanted to offer others the kind of support that made such a meaningful difference in my own life. Being a therapist allows me to combine empathy, curiosity, and meaningful human connection with practical tools that can help people understand themselves more deeply, navigate difficult experiences, and create lasting change. For me, therapy is not about having all the answers for someone. It is about creating a space where people feel safe enough to explore what they are carrying, understand themselves with greater compassion, and discover their own path forward.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical stress reactions affect one another. Together, we identify patterns such as overthinking, avoidance, and self-criticism, then practice more helpful ways of responding in everyday life.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help you make room for difficult thoughts and emotions without allowing them to control your choices. We clarify what matters most to you and work toward small, realistic changes that bring your daily life closer to your values.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
My approach is collaborative and tailored to you. I create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can speak honestly and feel understood, while remaining actively engaged through thoughtful questions, feedback, and support.
Psychodynamic
We may explore how earlier experiences, relationships, and learned roles continue to influence your emotions, choices, and relationship patterns today. Understanding these connections can help you respond more intentionally rather than repeating patterns automatically.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use mindfulness and body awareness to help you notice stress earlier, feel less controlled by overwhelming reactions, and respond more intentionally. This can be especially helpful when anxiety appears through tension, headaches, chest tightness, fatigue, or feeling constantly on edge.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- FloridaLicense IMH25433