Meet Brianna Garcia, LMHC
Tampa Therapist for Children, Teens & Families
Brianna is a licensed child therapist in Tampa who works with children, teens, and families navigating big emotions, behavioral challenges, school-related stress, and changing family dynamics.
About Brianna
summary
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) — Florida | License #MH26589.
Primary Specialties: Child therapy, teen therapy, family therapy, anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioral challenges
Location: In-person therapy in Tampa + virtual therapy for clients across Florida
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-informed), family systems, mindfulness, play-based interventions
Background: Extensive experience in school-based mental health, private practice, and family-centered care supporting children, teens, and parents
what brianna specializes in
Brianna works with:
Children navigating big emotions, emotional regulation, and behavior challenges
Teens & preteens struggling with anxiety, confidence, motivation, identity, or communication
Parents wanting tools to support their child’s emotions, behavior, and wellbeing
Families seeking calmer routines, clearer communication, and stronger connection
Sarasota families appreciate Nicole’s calm presence and ability to help kids and teens feel safe enough to open up—while giving parents meaningful guidance they can use at home.
brianna’s approach to therapy
Brianna blends evidence-based therapy with a grounded, relational style that helps children, teens, and families feel safe, supported, and understood
She focuses on:
Helping children and teens identify, name, and understand their emotions
Teaching emotional regulation skills and healthy coping strategies
Improving communication between children, teens, and caregivers
Supporting parents with actionable, real-world tools
Using CBT to reframe unhelpful thoughts and behavior patterns
Applying solution-focused strategies to build confidence and momentum
Incorporating mindfulness and grounding techniques to reduce overwhelm and stress
Challenges Brianna Helps Clients Address
Brianna supports Tampa children, teens, and families who are experiencing:
Anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm
Behavioral concerns at home or in school
Difficulty regulating emotions or calming down during big feelings
Academic pressure, motivation challenges, and school transitions
Children struggling with confidence and self-esteem
Family changes such as divorce, co-parenting, blended family transitions, or relocation
Peer difficulties, social stress, or bullying
Adjustment challenges related to foster care, custody changes, or system involvement
Early risk factors related to substance use in adolescents
Brianna’s Background and Training
Brianna earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida State University, where she double majored in Psychology (BA) and Family and Child Sciences (BS)—laying a strong foundation in child development, family systems, and mental health.
Her professional experience includes:
Providing individualized therapy to children ages 5–14 in public school settings
Collaborating closely with parents, caregivers, teachers, and school staff to support emotional, behavioral, and academic needs
Delivering wraparound, school-based mental health services focused on early intervention and skill-building
Supporting children, teens, adults, families, and couples in private practice settings
Working with clients across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem, neurodivergence, social skills, and family conflict
Utilizing developmentally appropriate interventions tailored to each client’s unique needs and strengths
Brianna brings training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-informed), family systems, mindfulness-based approaches, and play therapy. Her work is grounded in helping young people and families build resilience, emotional insight, and practical skills they can use in everyday life.
A Message From Brianna
“Childhood and adolescence bring big emotions, rapid change, and moments that can feel overwhelming—for both kids and the people who love them. Families often experience these waves together. My role is to help your child better understand their inner world, support you as a parent with clarity and confidence, and create a space where healing, growth, and connection feel possible. You don’t have to navigate this season alone.”
Ready to work with Brianna?
We invite you to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with us to begin your healing journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brianna use play therapy?
Yes. Brianna incorporates play-based therapy techniques when working with younger children, using developmentally appropriate activities to help them express emotions, build coping skills, and feel more comfortable in therapy. Play therapy allows children to communicate in ways that feel natural to them—especially when they don’t yet have the words to describe big feelings.
How do I know if my child might benefit from behavioral therapy?
Behavioral therapy can be helpful if your child is experiencing frequent meltdowns, difficulty following directions, impulsive behavior, emotional outbursts, or challenges at school or home that don’t seem to improve with typical parenting strategies. Many parents seek support when behavior begins to affect family relationships, learning, or a child’s self-confidence. Early support can make a meaningful difference.
How can therapy help with tantrums in a 4-year-old?
Tantrums are common in young children, but therapy can help when they become intense, frequent, or hard to manage. Brianna works with both children and parents to understand what’s driving tantrums—such as emotional overwhelm, frustration, or difficulty communicating needs. Therapy focuses on building emotional regulation skills in children while helping parents respond in ways that reduce escalation and strengthen connection.
How does child therapy with Brianna support hyperactive children or kids with ADHD?
Brianna supports children with hyperactivity or ADHD by focusing on emotional regulation, impulse control, attention skills, and confidence-building. Therapy often includes structured activities, coping strategies, and parent guidance to help children manage big energy and emotions in healthy ways. Parents also receive practical tools to support consistency at home and school, helping children feel more successful and understood.
Locations Served
Nicole offers in-person sessions at our Sarasota therapy office, conveniently located for families across:
Tampa
South Tampa
Hyde Park
Carrollwood
Westchase
Town ’n’ Country
Brandon
Riverview
Temple Terrace
Lutz