Herrera Psychology

08/28/2025

💚 Community partnerships are at the heart of what we do.

We're grateful to work alongside incredible organizations throughout the Sarasota area who share our commitment to supporting children and families. From school districts to youth programs, these collaborations help us reach more families and create stronger support networks.

🤝 Some of the amazing partnerships we're proud to be part of:
✅ Youth resilience programs across the community
✅ Parent workshop collaborations with area schools (coming soon!)
✅ FES scholarship partnerships making therapy accessible

When we work together, we can create a community where every child has the support they need to thrive. It takes a village, and we're honored to be part of yours.

🌟 Thank you to all the educators, administrators, and community leaders who welcome us into their schools and programs. Together, we're making a real difference in the lives of Sarasota families.

If your school or organization is interested in learning more about our community programs and workshops, we'd love to connect!

📞 813-395-9049
📧 info@herrerapsychology.com

08/26/2025

We're excited to introduce one of our newest team members! 👋

Dr. Grace Barnes brings over 15 years of specialized expertise in comprehensive psychological evaluations and therapy for children, teens, and adults. Originally from Sarasota, she's passionate about helping families understand their child's unique strengths and needs.

✨ What makes Dr. Grace special:
• Expertise in anxiety, depression, ADHD, and life transitions
• Child-friendly evaluation approach that puts kids at ease
• Collaborative work with families and schools using CBT and mindfulness-based techniques
• Thoughtful, compassionate style that creates a safe space for growth

With our expanded team, we now have reduced wait times for evaluations! 📅

Is your child struggling with focus, learning, or social challenges? An evaluation can provide the clarity and support your family needs to help them thrive this school year.

Ready to take the next step? Here's how to get started:
1. Call us at (813) 395-9049 to discuss your child's needs
2. Talk to our intake specialist, Stephanie Burress, to discuss what path is best for your child
3. Begin the evaluation process with Dr. Barnes' expert guidance

When you're ready, we're here to support your family's journey toward understanding and growth.

🔗 Email us at info@herrerapscyhology.com or call (813) 395-9049

08/23/2025

"When is the right time to get my child evaluated?" 🕐

This is one of the most common questions we hear from parents. The answer? Earlier is almost always better.

⭐ Ideal Times for Evaluation:

🎯 When Concerns First Arise
• Don't wait for problems to worsen
• Early intervention is most effective
• Prevents secondary issues like low self-esteem

📈 Before Major Transitions
• Moving to middle or high school
• Changing schools or programs
• When current supports aren't working

❌ When NOT to Wait:
• "They'll grow out of it" - some challenges need support
• "Let's see how this school year goes" - valuable time is lost
• "They're too young" - early identification helps most

✨ The Truth About Timing:
Every month you wait is a month your child struggles without the support they need. Early evaluation leads to:

• Better academic outcomes
• Improved self-confidence
• Stronger social relationships
• More effective interventions

Your child deserves to thrive, not just survive. 🌟

With our expanded team, we now have shorter wait times for evaluations!

📞 Don't wait - call today: (813) 395-9049
📧 Email: info@herrerapscyhology.com

Now accepting new clients!

08/21/2025

"They're just shy" or "They'll grow out of it" - we hear this a lot from well-meaning family and friends. 💭

But as a parent, you know when something feels different about your child's social and emotional development.

🤔 When to consider an evaluation for social-emotional concerns:

😰 Anxiety Beyond Normal Worries
• Excessive worry about school, friends, or performance
• Physical symptoms like stomachaches before school
• Avoids social situations or new experiences

😢 Emotional Regulation Challenges
• Meltdowns that seem disproportionate to the situation
• Difficulty calming down once upset
• Extreme reactions to changes in routine

👫 Social Interaction Difficulties
• Struggles to read facial expressions or social cues
• Difficulty making or maintaining friendships
• Prefers adult company over peers consistently

🔄 Repetitive Behaviors or Intense Interests
• Fixation on specific topics or activities
• Need for sameness or rigid routines
• Repetitive movements or speech patterns

💔 Mood Changes
• Persistent sadness or irritability
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Significant changes in sleep or appetite

Trust your parental instincts. You know your child better than anyone.

An evaluation can help distinguish between typical development and areas where your child might benefit from additional support.

We're here to help you understand your child's unique emotional and social needs. 💙

📞 Call us: (813) 395-9049
📧 Email: info@herrerapscyhology.com

We're here to help.

08/20/2025

As a parent, you know your child best. Trust your instincts when something feels different. 💚

Here are 5 key signs that may indicate your child could benefit from a comprehensive evaluation:

🔍 Academic Struggles Despite Effort
• Difficulty keeping up with grade-level work
• Takes much longer than peers to complete assignments
• Avoids homework or becomes extremely frustrated

🔍 Attention & Focus Challenges
• Trouble sitting still or paying attention
• Easily distracted or forgets instructions
• Difficulty organizing tasks or materials

🔍 Social & Emotional Concerns
• Struggles to make or keep friendships
• Frequent meltdowns or emotional outbursts
• Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed

🔍 Behavioral Changes
• Sudden changes in behavior at home or school
• Difficulty following rules or routines
• Aggressive or defiant behaviors

🔍 Developmental Differences
• Speech or language delays
• Motor skill challenges
• Repetitive behaviors or intense interests

Remember: Early identification leads to early intervention, which can make all the difference in your child's success. 🌟

If you're noticing these signs, you're not alone. We're here to help.

📞 Call us at (813) 395-9049 to discuss your concerns
📧 Email: info@herrerapscyhology.com

08/12/2025

☕💛 We were proud to partner with the Skye Ranch PTO to sponsor coffee for their Boohoo Yahoo Breakfast!

We love supporting our local community and are so grateful to Skye Ranch families for supporting us in return. Wishing everyone an amazing school year ahead! 📚✨

08/11/2025

Happy First Day of School! 📚✏️

Whether your child is starting kindergarten or stepping into their senior year — today marks a fresh start, a new chapter, and a chance to grow.

🎒 Big feelings are normal — for kids and parents. Take a deep breath, give an extra hug, and know that you’re doing great.

From all of us at Herrera Psychology, we’re wishing your family a smooth, confident, and joyful start to the school year! 💙

👉 Need support with school transitions, routines, or anxiety? We’re here to help. Visit https://smpl.is/aamzt to learn more.

08/07/2025

🎉 Exciting News for Sarasota-Area Parents!

We’re bringing Parent Workshops straight to schools near YOU! 💬✨

Get ready for practical, expert-led sessions on the topics that matter most — from managing anxiety and screen time to improving communication and building emotional resilience at home.

🧠 Real tools.
💬 Real conversations.
❤️ Real support for real families.

📍Coming soon to local schools across the Sarasota area!

👉 Stay in the loop — subscribe to our newsletter at https://smpl.is/aamyy so you don’t miss your school’s workshop!

08/06/2025

Meet Kristy Bower! 🌟🎨

We’re so excited to introduce Miss Kristy to the Herrera Psychology team! As a Clinical Social Worker Intern with a career devoted to children and families, Kristy brings heart, creativity, and evidence-based tools to every session.

💡 Fun Fact: Kristy started her career as an art educator, using creativity to help children express themselves, build resilience, and problem-solve through challenges.

🧠 Today, she blends over 20 years of experience with the latest training from Boston University’s School of Social Work, offering therapy to children, teens, and families.

🤝 What makes her approach unique?
✔️ Certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
✔️ Strong focus on attachment, trust, and secure relationships
✔️ Experience with play-based interventions & parent-child dynamics
✔️ Known for truly listening and collaborative problem solving

Kristy is now accepting new clients and is especially passionate about helping families build connection, insight, and emotional strength—from toddlers to teens.

📞 Call 813-395-9049 or 📧 email info@herrerapsychology.com to schedule.

Want to learn more about Kristy and the rest of our team? Visit our website: https://smpl.is/aamxw

08/01/2025

🌟 Meet Lisa Singeisen, LCSW

We’re honored to have Lisa, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, on the Herrera Psychology team!

With over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families, Lisa brings a calm, compassionate, and strengths-focused approach to therapy—whether in the office, at home, in schools, or online.

🎓 She holds a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from UCF and a Bachelor’s in Developmental Psychology from Duke University.

💬 Her therapeutic specialties include:
✔️ Play therapy
✔️ Individual & family therapy
✔️ Group work and online sessions
✔️ Helping young people feel seen, heard, and empowered

Outside the therapy room, Lisa is a dedicated mom of three and an active leader in the community—serving as a youth director and booster club president for multiple school programs.

✨ Her passion? Bringing out the best in every child and family.

💚Now accepting new clients! If you have any questions about our services or Lisa's availability, please call, email, or visit our website herrerapsychology.com

📞 813-395-9049
📧 info@herrerapsychology.com

08/01/2025

Our team loves working with the resiliency youth program! We are endlessly grateful to have such a welcoming community that lets us make a difference across the Sarasota area 💚

Our Youth Resiliency Program empowers young minds to overcome challenges, build confidence, and shine their brightest.

DONATE TO our Youth Resiliency Program!
https://www.sunshinefromdarkness.org/donate/ #

The spark within you holds unlimited power. Ignite resilience. Build strength.

07/31/2025

How can we better support high school athletes? ⛹️‍♂️

Brittany is a Mental Health Counseling Intern at Herrera Psychology who specializes in supporting children and high school athletes—and she knows the athlete experience firsthand.

🏅 Fun Fact: Brittany was a high school and college athlete herself, so she understands the pressure, performance anxiety, and identity struggles athletes face on and off the field.

🎓 With master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, Brittany combines professional expertise with real-life experience to help young athletes thrive mentally and emotionally.

🧠 She also provides therapy for children and teens dealing with anxiety, focus issues, peer challenges, and emotional regulation—always creating a space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported.

✨ What Sets Brittany Apart:
✔️ Former student athlete = deep empathy + real connection
✔️ Personalized, eclectic approach
✔️ Warm, collaborative energy rooted in gratitude & empathy
✔️ Member of the ACA & ASCA

💚Now accepting new clients!

Contact us to check Brittany’s availability or ask any other questions about the services st Herrera Psychology.

📞813-395-9049
📧info@herrerapsychology.com