My name is Simone Mack and I have a passion for counseling and providing support to others. I received my Master in Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University and received my Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and I am also in the process of becoming a Certified Gambling Addictions Therapist. I am familiar with personality disorder traits and characteristics. My passion for counseling is to move clients and their families out of the darkness of addiction and other issues they may be facing and process with them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have many years of working with those who struggle with addiction, depression, stress, anxiety, relationship/marital issues and trauma/abuse. I also have years of working with families, LGBT, anger, self-esteem issues, Bipolar, Grief and loss and intimacy issues. My style and approach is loving and kind with a hint of firmness when needed. I always strive to get my clients to look at their current situation and find healthy ways to manage their feelings and issues they may be facing. I strive to get my clients to gain insight into what they have control over. I encourage and empower my clients because I know and believe that they have the power and strength to overcome any obstacle they may be facing, even if they may not see this at the time. I believe in focusing on the here and now and being able to love and appreciate living in the present moment. I feel that if one is stuck in the past or the future, they miss out on the joys of the present. I strive to help my clients be able to gain a healthy balance with life. I know that online counseling may be new for you, so I want to let you my approach with working with online clients. Once you become a new member I suggest that we complete a live session (preferably 30 minutes via Live Chat). That way we can introduce ourselves and begin building the therapeutic relationship. After the introduction period, I suggest that we have at least one live session per week and I will respond to your messages in the forum in a timely manner. My goal for you is to get you to a place where you can look at your current situation and find healthier ways to cope with it. I want you to find balance and peace in your life and your situation. I know that life isn’t always going to have happy moments and I want to be able to guide and assist you in your time of need.