Araceli Gauna-Scattolini, LMHC, NCC, PMH-C

Araceli works with children, teens, and adults. Her specialties are LGBTQ+-affirming care, children of divorce or blended families, and trauma/ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Araceli is part of the Hispanic/ Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities, and Spanish is her first language. She considers how cultural and systemic factors influence a person’s perception of their world and ability to cope with stressors.

Araceli practices therapy using a holistic approach, and believes the client ought to be seen as a whole person. Araceli works with her clients using developmental, systemic, and psychoanalytic lenses. This aids in ensuring the client’s experiences, age, gender, sex, family traditions, personal philosophies, and spiritual beliefs are considered when creating goals.

Since 2018, Araceli has worked in community agencies, academic settings, and private practices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Polk counties. Her varied professional experiences have given her the ability to work with clients with high and low acuity needs. Araceli believes building and connecting to one’s community are critical in feeling supported and rebuilding one’s self-esteem. Araceli offers a free Teen LGBTQ+ Support Group as part of this belief. She also volunteers with local non-profit organizations, such as the Rose Dynasty Foundation and ROAR Florida.

Araceli has received specialized training in various trauma-informed interventions, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Araceli holds advanced certifications as a Perinatal Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C), and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Araceli understands not every client will respond to an intervention the same, and not every treatment is appropriate for every client. Araceli uses a collaborative approach, meaning the client has a voice and is included in the process of therapy.