I’m Autumn, and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I’m a native Floridian and have been helping others in the South Florida community since childhood. In college, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Hofstra University in New York. After pursuing a career in the dance world, I found myself wanting more fulfillment in my work. I decided to go after my Masters degree, and graduated with Honors from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Marriage and Family Therapy, with a specialization in Equine Assisted Family Therapy. Bringing my creativity and “outside the box” approach, I began to blend my fundamental skills developed from dance with connecting with others. During my time at NSU, I received opportunities to work with various populations in the mental health field.
I first began working with at-risk adolescents in the Broward County School system (PROMISE program). I also studied Equine therapy (Stable Place) which introduced me to a more experimental therapeutic approach. I finished my externship by working with LGBTQ+ individuals at SunServe Social Services in Ft. Lauderdale. During my time at Sunserve, I worked with clients who experienced mental health, chemical dependency, and gender identity issues. Immediately after graduating from NSU, I accepted a position working in the substance abuse field. I have served as a Primary Therapist at the detoxification, residential, inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient levels of care. I’ve also fulfilled the position as the Substance Abuse Coordinator working with court-mandated parents. There, I was responsible for restructuring the entire outpatient program which created more structure and accountability for individuals involved.
Working with a caseload of more than 40 clients and their case managers, I helped families become reunited with their children. During my time working in treatment facilities, I also became interested in the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction as another way for clients to cope with their stressors. Most recently, I spent time treating clients at a detoxification and residential treatment facility. As a psychotherapist, I was able to provide education to the clients and their families about addiction, relapse prevention, implementing healthy boundaries, importance of healthy self-esteem and taught new ways to use adaptive coping skills. These experiences taught me so much, but most of all, the importance of empathy and patience.
Clients in recovery have often said how they appreciate my assertive yet warm approach as many have felt judged and stigmatized. It’s my passion to see clients learn to grow and self soothe, so that they can become their own therapist. I believe every client has a unique story, and has the ability to re-author their own narrative. I create an individual treatment plan and explore what works, what does not work and what has the potential to be different.
My passion is to collaborate with clients and assist with creating awareness to find adaptive relief of stressors through identifying personal strengths, resources and effective solutions.
Member of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Quotes to live by.
When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.
Mr. Fred Rogers
Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.
Carl Jung
All great changes are preceded by chaos.
Deepok Chopra
Autumn Dolan 