Todd Battles is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with clients age 17 and up, with a focus on individual psychotherapy and counseling from an integrative and functional perspective.  Todd’s former experience is quite diverse and includes serving as the program director of a Christ-centered, year-long residential healing community in New England for young men and women ages 18-35; teaching, counseling, coaching and spiritual direction.  Todd has also accrued both public and private sector professional experience in the areas of association management consulting, criminal defense law and commercial real estate.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Theater from Colgate University (1995), a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University (2017), and a Juris Doctor from Tulane University (2001).  Todd is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA), the Florida Mental Health Counselor Association (FMHCA), the Gulfcoast Mental Health Counselor Association (GMHCA), the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS). Todd is also a certified practitioner of the Safe and Sound Protocol, Heartmath, and PREPARE-ENRICH.

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Philosophy of Counseling:​

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         “I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each client, because each has a unique story.” 

             - Irvin D. Yalom

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         “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." - Carl Rogers

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         "People long to be understood, to sense that their words carry weight and that their ideas have received a     

         thoughtful hearing.  In the book of Proverbs we read: “The purposes of a man’s heart are like deep water, but a           man of understanding will draw them out.” (Proverbs 20:5).   Godly wisdom and insight are more precious than

         gold and the motivations of the human heart are not so easily discovered.  Indeed, the patience and skill of an 

         understanding person are required to draw out those deep waters.  My professional vision is to be a “man of 

         understanding” for each person that I have the privilege to know and serve as a counselor. The field of mental 

         health needn’t be scary and intimidating.  And when you are already struggling with emotional difficulties, the

         last thing that you need is psychobabble and jargon.  My specialty is taking complex emotional, spiritual and

         psychological issues and breaking them down into plain language and workable objectives that align with       

         each client’s unique personal objectives. 

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         Integrating my relational, existential, and psychodynamic theoretical orientations, I strive to go well beyond

         psychological techniques that merely reduce symptoms and offer coping mechanisms.  I am committed to

         helping people develop and mature toward healing and wholeness by giving careful attention to each person’s

         past and present relationships, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, values and goals, all from an

         empathic, strengths-based perspective.  All of my work is trauma-informed and leverages interpersonal

         neurobiology to combine top-down AND bottom-up approaches to client care.  Regardless of your spiritual or

         cultural background or wherever you find yourself on life’s journey, I commit to engaging with you by       

         respecting and cherishing diversity, building trust, providing active and empathic listening, and by providing 

         supportive direction in the service of your goals, objectives and ultimate well-being.  I have a special heart for

         those struggling with substance abuse and life controlling problems and for persons disoriented with their

         gender and/or sexuality.  I look forward to having the privilege of connecting with you.

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Conditions Treated:

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Depression/Mood, Divorce, Grief/Loss, Anxiety/Phobia, Addictions/Substance Abuse, Child/Adolescent, Education Problems, Attention/Hyperactivity, Gender/Sexuality, Sexual Difficulties, Personality Disorders, Thought Disorders, Impulse Control, Trauma/Stress, Physical/Emotional Abuse, Adjustment Disorders,

Age-related Problems, Relationship Problems, Recovery from Co-Dependency.

 

Issues Treated:

 

Emotional: Anxiety, Fear, Depression, Anger.

Relational: Partner, Family, Child, Employer/Employee.

Situational: Health, Occupational, Financial, Role or Age Changes.

 

Ages Treated:

 

Adolescents, Adults, Elders.