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DM Portrait of Dedra McIntosh

Dedra McIntosh

Practical, compassionate therapy for emotional healing

LCSW Florida

Experience
3 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Dedra

About Dedra

Dedra McIntosh is a Florida-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as part of an integrative approach to emotional healing and relationship work.

Background and approach

She focuses on helping people move through anxiety and depression, process trauma and abuse, and strengthen interpersonal skills while attending to self-esteem and patterns rooted in attachment. Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, caregiver stress, communication and commitment challenges, and struggles with guilt, shame, or emptiness.

Dedra uses evidence-based strategies alongside client-centered and emotionally-focused methods to help clients reframe unhelpful thoughts, build coping skills, and repair relational patterns. With three years of clinical experience, she aims to create a compassionate atmosphere that honors each person’s history and cultural context while fostering resilience.

Dedra guides clients through practical tools and collaborative exploration so they can work toward more satisfying relationships and greater emotional balance.

Online approaches for practical change and connection



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression; it offers concrete exercises and skills to manage stress and emotional triggers. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify personal values and develop greater psychological flexibility by learning to accept difficult feelings while committing to meaningful action. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns formed in early relationships and how those patterns affect current connections, helping people strengthen trust, communication, and emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to assess goals, preferences, and presenting concerns, and then tailor a combination of methods that feels most useful and doable for the individual. Flexibility and client input shape the course of treatment so it aligns with what matters most to the client.

Online sessions are available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to offer practical options for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access consistent support and to practice skills between meetings while fitting therapy into everyday life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, self esteem struggles, and depression, plus related areas such as attachment issues and caregiver stress.
What therapeutic styles does she use in sessions?
Her practice integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-informed work, client-centered techniques, and emotionally-focused strategies to match each client's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has three years of clinical experience working with the issues listed in her profile.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed as an LCSW in Florida with the license number FL LCSW SW25455.
Can people who speak other languages work with her?
Her practice is conducted in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin therapy with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English