Dorothy Charest, LMHC, LPC

Dorothy Charest is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 18 years of experience. She practices in Florida and focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, depression, trauma, and related issues. Dorothy offers direct, steady support and works to match treatment to each person's needs.

She uses straightforward, evidence-informed methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused techniques to help clients make practical changes. Dorothy also draws on client-centered and trauma-focused approaches to address the emotional and relational effects of difficult experiences. She pays attention to patterns like compulsive behaviors, process addictions, and problems with intimacy or self-worth.

Sessions aim to be collaborative. Dorothy listens for what matters most to the client and then helps set achievable steps toward those goals. She often uses short-term problem solving alongside deeper work for longer-standing concerns. Motivational interviewing is used when people are weighing change or managing addictive behaviors.

Her background includes longstanding work with people affected by sexual assault, sexually compulsive behaviors, and substance use concerns. She tailors the mix of approaches based on each person’s history and preferences rather than using one fixed method. Dorothy frames therapy as a process that can be challenging but also practical and goal-oriented.

People seeking help are encouraged to consider what they want to change and bring that to early sessions. The focus is on clear, manageable steps and on building skills that fit daily life. Dorothy aims to be respectful, nonjudgmental, and steady through that process.

Approaches that translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely to a person's experience and responding with understanding and respect. It helps when someone needs a space to be heard and wants support building on their own strengths.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and uses practical exercises to change them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and for skills to manage cravings or compulsive behaviors.

Motivational interviewing is a short-term conversational method that helps people weigh pros and cons of change and find personal reasons to move forward. It can be useful when someone is unsure about making changes related to addiction or health behaviors.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to pick methods that match the person’s goals, history, and preferences. Those choices can shift as progress is made.

Confirm the available session formats before booking, since specific formats are not listed here. Online options can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce time spent traveling. Licensed professionals can use these methods effectively at a distance while focusing on practical tools and goals.