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MOVING TOWARD AGAPE, INC.

PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN, COUPLES & INDIVIDUALS

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MEET THE TEAM

Get to know us...

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MARIA BALAN, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Maria is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida with 11 years of experience. Maria treats a range of mental health issues including but not limited to anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, addiction, and partner relational violence. Maria is passionate about serving a diverse population from various ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientation. She builds rapport with her clients through a compassionate approach while meeting each client where they are at in their journey. Maria believes in utilizing a holistic approach to treatment while using various evidenced based modalities including mindfulness based cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused, motivational interviewing, as well as acceptance and commitment therapies.

CLIENT PORTAL

For existing clients only

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CHILD THERAPY

We understand your busy schedule, so we provide evening and every other Saturday availability to schedule your child's sessions.  We are currently accepting children ages 6-18 for in office and telehealth sessions.  Please feel free to contact the office and schedule a phone consult to discuss your child's services.  You can also email us at our secure e-mail by clicking the get in touch button.

COUPLES THERAPY

Do you feel disconnected from your spouse?  Do your arguments tend to go in circles, only leaving you both feeling more angry and distant?  Relationship counseling will help you understand your communication cycle and teach you how to express emotions effectively to increase intimacy in your relationship.

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INFIDELITY

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CONSTANTLY ARGUING?

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ARE YOU STRUGGLING SPIRITUALLY

Recover and Heal Your Relationship

Infidelity is devastating and both partners suffer for many reasons.  It is a difficult recovery process that require the couple's dedication to heal and willingness to get help.  Weekday and weekend sessions are available.

Learn How to Bring the Fun Back to Your Relationship

When two imperfect people get together they quickly realize each others' flaws. We all have issues from the past, develop unhealthy communication patterns, at at times feel misunderstood and disconnected from our spouse.   Therapy can help you break unhealthy patterns of communication so you can stop arguing and and play a little more.

Understand God's Plan for Your Marriage

Are you Christian, feeling isolated, not knowing were to turn for support? It is essential that you and your spouse understand God's plan and purpose for your Marriage.  As believers you are faced with an increasing amount of obstacles that get in the way of your spiritual growth.  Turning to God and making Jesus the center of your marriage is the best place to start.  Evening sessions are available with Barbara Padron, LMFT.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Individual therapy is provided for children teens and adults.  We provide outpatient and on line services.  Logging on for sessions is easy and you will be helped every step of the way.  Areas of specialty include difficulty adjusting to life changes, family conflict, depression, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, relationships issues, emotional abuse, domestic violence, recovery from infidelity and support for couples.

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EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), is and effective psychotherapy that has been extensively researched for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, depression and panic disorder. This method of treatment has been approved by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, National Alliance on Mental Illness, U.S. Department of Veterans, World Health Organization and other reputable organizations.

Unlike most psychotherapies, EMDR is different because it does not require talking in detail about the trauma or stressful events.  There is no homework to be completed.  During EMDR sessions the brain resumes its natural healing process through the reprocessing of events chosen by the client and therapist. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than most psychotherapies. EMDR sessions can range from 60-90minutes, in order to reprocess distressing events from the past.  Before processing, you and your therapist will prepare for several sessions to better understand trauma, it’s effects and symptoms on one’s life, as well as talking through expectations and questions the client may have about their future processing sessions.

 

OUR BRAIN AND TRAUMA

Through the use of our amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotions), our brain recovers from traumatic events naturally. Our fight, flight or freeze response (stress response) activates during traumatic events, it can also become activated, causing us to feel overwhelmed and keeping us stuck, feeling the same way we did during our traumatic event, even though we are in a safe environment. During the session the experience is remembered and processed during the therapy session, allowing the brain to come to a resolve, an understanding and realization that is healthier and less stressful, when the memory from the past is activated.

EMDR is currently being provided by Barbara Padron, LMFT for the treatment of the following: 

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias

  • Depression 

  • Grief and loss

  • Performance anxiety

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues

  • Sexual assault

  • Violence and abuse

  • Ages 18+ only

 

WHO CAN PROVIDE EMDR TREATMENT?

 

EDMR should only be conducted by a licensed and fully trained therapist.

 

WHO DEVELOPED EMDR?

EMDR therapy was developed in the late 1980’s by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., when she discovered a connection between eye movement and persistent upsetting memories.  Dr. Shapiro dedicated her life studies towards the development and use of EMDR treatment, developing EMDR International Association for research and training to benefit the mental health community.

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Improve your mental health through the use of:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples

Interpersonal Skills

Stress Reduction/Relaxation Skills

IN NETWORK WITH:

-AVMED

-AETNA

-CIGNA

-UNITED

-BCBS

-AMBETTER

-UMR

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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK

Please help us Improve.

We would really appreciate your testimony.  Let us know about your experience with Moving Toward Agape, Inc. 

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SUICIDE PREVENTION

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7.

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CONTACT US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS

Sessions run from 9am - 9pm Mon-Fri
Saturdays 7am - 3pm
Administrative hours: 9am-5pm

15715 S Dixie Hwy, Miami FL 33157
USA

p.305.707.5966 f.786.513.3145

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