Alternative Solutions Counseling & Coaching

Rewiring for Anxiety
& Depression in New Port Richey, FL

Anxiety and depression aren't character flaws โ€” they're patterns the brain has learned. Using evidence-based techniques, we help you rewire those patterns, manage symptoms effectively, and rediscover a life that feels worth living again.

โœ“ CBT ยท DBT ยท ACT ยท Mindfulness โœ“ Licensed Therapists on Staff โœ“ Insurance Accepted โœ“ In-Person & Telehealth โœ“ Free Consultation
๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ 6 Licensed Therapists on Staff
๐Ÿง  CBT ยท DBT ยท ACT ยท Mindfulness
โญ 5-Star Google Reviews
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ HIPAA Compliant & Confidential
๐Ÿ’ป Telehealth Available Statewide
๐Ÿ’ณ Insurance Accepted ยท $150/Session
Evidence-Based Rewiring

Your Brain Can Change โ€”
That's Not Just a Phrase

Anxiety and depression aren't fixed traits โ€” they're patterns of thought, emotion, and nervous system activation that the brain has repeated so many times they've become automatic. The science of neuroplasticity tells us those patterns can be changed. Intentionally. Measurably.

At Alternative Solutions Counseling, our team of licensed therapists uses a personalized blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and neuroscience-informed approaches to interrupt old patterns and build new, healthier ones in their place.

Whether you've been struggling for weeks or decades, our goal is the same: help you regain control, reduce symptoms, and reconnect with a life that feels purposeful and joyful again.

Anxiety 40M+ Americans affected โ€” most treatable condition in mental health
Depression 21M+ U.S. adults affected each year โ€” highly responsive to therapy
What We Treat

Anxiety & Depression Take Many Forms

You don't need to fit a textbook definition to benefit from therapy. If anxiety or low mood is affecting your life, that's enough. Here's what we commonly treat.

๐Ÿ˜ฐ Anxiety Disorders
โšก
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent, excessive worry about everyday situations that's difficult to control and physically exhausting.

๐Ÿ’จ
Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder

Sudden waves of intense fear with physical symptoms โ€” racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness โ€” that feel life-threatening.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
Social Anxiety

Fear of judgment, embarrassment, or rejection in social situations that leads to avoidance and isolation.

๐Ÿ”
OCD & Intrusive Thoughts

Unwanted, recurring thoughts and compulsive behaviors designed to neutralize them that take over daily functioning.

๐ŸŽฏ
Performance & Health Anxiety

Excessive worry about physical symptoms, illness, or performance in high-stakes situations like work, sports, or relationships.

๐ŸŒ™
Anxiety-Related Sleep Issues

Racing thoughts at bedtime, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and waking exhausted โ€” anxiety's most disruptive physical symptom.

๐Ÿ˜” Depression & Low Mood
๐ŸŒซ๏ธ
Major Depressive Disorder

Persistent sadness, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, fatigue, and a heavy sense that things will never change.

๐Ÿ“…
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

A chronic, lower-grade depression lasting two or more years โ€” often dismissed as "just being like this," but very treatable.

๐ŸŒŠ
Depression with Anxiety (Mixed)

Feeling simultaneously shut down and wound up โ€” one of the most common and most exhausting presentations we treat.

๐Ÿ’ผ
Burnout & Emotional Exhaustion

Chronic stress that depletes emotional reserves until even basic tasks feel impossible โ€” common in caregivers and high-performers.

๐Ÿ”„
Life Transition Depression

Grief, identity loss, and depression triggered by major life changes โ€” divorce, job loss, retirement, relocation, or health changes.

๐Ÿงฉ
Depression Linked to ADHD or Trauma

Depression that stems from years of struggling with undiagnosed ADHD, or from the emotional aftermath of traumatic experiences.

Evidence-Based Techniques

The Methods We Use to Rewire Your Brain

No single technique works for everyone. We combine the most effective, research-backed approaches to build a treatment plan that fits you โ€” your patterns, your goals, your pace.

๐Ÿง  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The gold standard for anxiety and depression. Identifies and challenges the distorted thought patterns that drive symptoms, replacing them with more accurate, helpful ones.

๐ŸŒฟ Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Rather than fighting thoughts and feelings, ACT teaches you to unhook from them โ€” and commit to actions aligned with your values, even when discomfort is present.

๐ŸŽญ Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Builds distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and mindfulness skills โ€” especially effective when anxiety and depression are intense or hard to manage in the moment.

๐Ÿง˜ Mindfulness-Based Techniques

Grounding practices that interrupt the anxiety-depression feedback loop by shifting attention to the present moment instead of worst-case futures or painful pasts.

โœ‹ EFT Tapping

Combines focused thought with acupressure points to rapidly reduce the emotional charge of anxiety and depressive triggers stored in the body's stress response system.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Neuroscience-Informed Approaches

Understanding how your nervous system works โ€” including Polyvagal theory and the anxiety-depression brain loop โ€” to intervene at the biological level, not just the behavioral.

Is This You?

Signs It's Time to Reach Out

You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many of our clients come in when things feel "off" but not catastrophic. If any of these feel familiar, that's your signal.

Worry that won't switch off
Feeling empty or numb
Avoiding people and activities
Loss of interest in things you loved
Panic attacks or racing heart
Persistent fatigue or heaviness
Catastrophic or spiraling thoughts
Difficulty concentrating or deciding
Sleep that's never restful
Feeling like a burden to others
Irritability or emotional outbursts
Hopelessness about the future
Physical tension, headaches, stomach issues
Using substances to cope
You Don't Have to Keep Pushing Through Alone

Anxiety and depression are among the most treatable mental health conditions. Most clients notice meaningful improvement within weeks. Your first consultation is completely free.

  • Individual sessions $150 ยท no surprise fees
  • Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UHC & more accepted
  • Sliding scale available โ€” ask us
  • In-person in New Port Richey or secure telehealth
  • Flexible scheduling including evenings
๐Ÿ“… Book Free Consultation Or call us: (813) 344-4810
Your Journey

What to Expect When You Start

Getting started can feel like the hardest part. Here's exactly what the process looks like so there are no surprises โ€” just clear steps toward feeling better.

Free Consultation

A private, no-pressure call to share what's going on, ask questions, and get matched with the right therapist for your situation.

Assessment & Pattern Mapping

We identify your specific anxiety and depression patterns โ€” triggers, thought cycles, avoidance behaviors, and physical symptoms โ€” to target treatment precisely.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Your therapist selects the right combination of CBT, ACT, DBT, mindfulness, EFT, or other techniques based on what your patterns specifically call for.

Active Rewiring Sessions

Weekly sessions build new neural pathways through evidence-based exercises, behavioral experiments, and skill-building you practice between appointments.

Skill Building & Practice

Real progress happens between sessions too. We equip you with practical tools โ€” grounding techniques, thought records, behavioral activation โ€” to use in daily life.

Lasting Resilience

Therapy concludes with a relapse prevention plan and the skills to manage setbacks independently โ€” so you stay well long after our work together ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Anxiety & Depression Therapy

Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur โ€” research suggests over 50% of people with depression also have significant anxiety symptoms. Anxiety typically presents as worry, tension, and fear of future events. Depression typically presents as sadness, emptiness, and loss of motivation. Many people experience both simultaneously. You don't need to self-diagnose โ€” that's what we're here for. If you're struggling, reach out.
Many clients notice meaningful symptom reduction within 4 to 8 sessions of CBT. For more complex presentations โ€” anxiety combined with trauma or long-term depression โ€” progress is steadier but still measurable. We track outcomes regularly so you can actually see your progress, not just feel it.
Research shows that therapy โ€” especially CBT โ€” is at least as effective as medication for most anxiety and depressive disorders, and the benefits tend to last longer after treatment ends because you've built actual skills. Many people benefit from a combination of both. We work collaboratively with prescribing providers when medication is part of your care plan.
Yes โ€” it's grounded in neuroscience. The brain forms pathways through repeated patterns of thought and behavior. Anxiety and depression strengthen certain pathways (threat detection, rumination, avoidance) and weaken others (reward-seeking, social engagement, flexible thinking). Therapy literally builds new neural connections through repeated practice โ€” a well-documented process called neuroplasticity. "Rewiring" is the accessible term for what CBT, ACT, and mindfulness practices achieve at the neurological level.
Not necessarily. CBT, ACT, and DBT are primarily present-focused โ€” they work with your current thought patterns and behaviors. We explore history when it's relevant and when you're ready. You're always in control of what you share and when. Some clients find understanding past patterns helpful; others make significant progress staying focused entirely on the present.
Yes. We offer secure telehealth sessions for clients throughout Florida. Research consistently shows that online CBT and other therapy modalities are just as effective as in-person for anxiety and depression. For many clients, the reduced barrier of being at home actually makes it easier to open up and engage.
We are in-network with Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Carelon, Cigna, Florida Blue, Meritain, Optum, Oscar Health, UMR, and UnitedHealthcare. Anxiety and depression are among the most commonly covered mental health conditions. Self-pay is $150 per session with a sliding scale available.
We have six licensed therapists on staff, several of whom specialize in anxiety and depression. Tristine Barry (LMHC) specializes in anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, and burnout, integrating CBT, ACT, and neuroscience-informed approaches. Gabby Lafond (LCSW) has a passion for working with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Your free consultation is specifically designed to match you with the right fit.
Fees & Insurance

Getting Help Shouldn't Be a Financial Struggle

Anxiety and depression are among the most commonly covered mental health conditions. We accept most major insurance plans and offer a sliding scale for those who qualify.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธAetna
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธBlueCross & BlueShield
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธCarelon Behavioral Health
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธCigna & Evernorth
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธFlorida Blue
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธMeritain Health
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธOptum
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธOscar Health
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธUMR
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธUnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
Session Fees
Individual Session $150
Couples Session $150
Sliding Scale Ask Us
We verify your insurance benefits before your first session โ€” no surprises.
Payment Accepted

American Express ยท Cash ยท Check ยท Discover ยท HSA ยท Mastercard ยท Visa

Regain Control

Joy Is Still Available to You

Anxiety and depression are not life sentences. With the right support and evidence-based techniques, real change is possible โ€” and it often happens faster than you'd expect. Your first consultation is completely free.

8028 Old County Rd 54, New Port Richey, FL 34653 ยท In-Person & Telehealth
Serving Pasco County ยท Pinellas County ยท Hillsborough County ยท All of Florida