Alina Gastesi-De Armas

Compassionate CBT-informed counseling for meaningful change

LMHC Florida

Experience: 28 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English, Spanish

About Alina

Alina Gastesi-De Armas brings a cognitive behavioral approach informed by nearly three decades of clinical practice to help people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and depression.

Background and approach

As a Florida-licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), she emphasizes practical skills alongside personal insight, inviting clients to build on their strengths while addressing patterns that interfere with daily functioning. Her work blends goal-focused techniques with acceptance and values-oriented strategies, supporting clients through life changes, motivation struggles, and the aftermath of difficult experiences.

Alina also attends to concerns such as communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, self-love, and social anxiety and phobia, tailoring methods to each person’s needs and preferences. Committed to a collaborative stance, she frames clients as experts on their own stories and offers guidance to help them move toward more satisfying, meaningful living.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Alina provides care to a diverse range of people and accepts international clients, working to make therapy accessible across different circumstances and life stages.

Therapeutic approaches and online access

Alina uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical tools for reducing anxiety and managing depressive symptoms. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also part of her approach, encouraging clients to clarify personal values and build flexible strategies to live in line with those values even when difficult emotions are present.

Choosing the right fit is a collaborative process. She works with each person to discuss goals, preferences, and responses to different methods, adapting techniques over time so the approach matches evolving needs and priorities.

Online therapy here is offered through multiple formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase flexibility. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and travel, and they allow ongoing therapeutic work when in-person meetings are not feasible. Licensed professionals guide the process and adjust session style and pacing to suit each person’s situation and goals.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

Focus areas include stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem challenges, depression, and coping with life changes. She also supports work on communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, self-love, and social anxiety and phobia.

What is the therapist's general approach and style?

The practice combines cognitive behavioral techniques with acceptance-oriented and client-centered elements, offering practical skills and reflective exploration to meet each client's goals.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 28 years of professional work experience in the mental health field, which informs a seasoned and pragmatic therapeutic style.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She is licensed as an LMHC in Florida with license number FL LMHC MH5665 and practices from that state.

Are sessions available in languages other than English?

Yes, therapy is offered in both English and Spanish, and she also accepts international clients who may prefer either language.

Which session formats are offered for online work?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy with this clinician?

Prospective clients should select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential Therapy

Experience

28+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English, Spanish