Healing: Lakeland’s shift on mental health
May 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM EDT
Lakelanders and local mental health providers are stepping up, but obstacles remain.
Lakeland residents are showing up for their mental health. The system of mental health providers doesn’t always show up for them.
Despite rising awareness of the importance of mental health and the ways it can be addressed through science-based therapies, stigmas also still block access. And cultural norms, misinformation and unrealistic expectations still can keep people from getting care.
“Some people think they’ll feel better right away,” said Jessica Dobertin Borruso, a licensed clinical social worker with Willow’s Path Counseling, in Lakeland.
“But therapy takes time — and it’s meant to be uncomfortable yet fulfilling.”
Araceli Gauna-Scattolini of Lakeland’s Atala Counseling agrees: “Therapy is not instant gratification. But the awareness you gain? You can’t buy that.”
Atala Counseling (853x637, AR: 1.3390894819466248)
Overcoming Stigma: “In some cultures, mental health is viewed as an extreme condition or in religious communities, as a strictly spiritual issue,” said Dobertin Burruso.
“Or it’s considered shameful to ask for help — especially for young adults who are still on their parents’ insurance.”
That narrative is shifting. More Millennials and Gen Zers are embracing mental health care—and that’s opening the door for others.
ALSO READ: Healing: For many Lakelanders, the road to mental health is a slog
Experts concur that there’s a growing awareness that seeking therapy isn’t a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s seen more and more as skill-building, a means to self-regulation and as healing work. This is particularly true among survivors of traumas.
“Therapy brings awareness to triggers — people, places, situations; that’s growth,” said Dobertin Burruso.
Mom on a mission: Danelle, a Lakeland mom, struggled to get good therapy for her child.
“I needed someone to help my child regulate emotions,” she said. “But the first therapist barely scratched the surface, then ghosted us.”
That left her navigating an insurance system alone, trying to piece together care from outdated provider lists, meeting closed doors, unable to find a counselor that was not faith-based.
“I’ve basically had to be a case manager,” she said.
She discovered Prevention Services for Youth (YFA), a Central Florida nonprofit care provider, and its Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) program. It’s a free, 13-week training that teaches emotional regulation through family-centered sessions.
Each week, Danelle’s son learns a skill such as coping with anger or recognizing big vs. little problems.
Siblings have their own care and classes. Parents get homework and support.
“During a breakdown, I used what SNAP taught me,” she said. “I even called a facilitator who walked me through it.”
The program is based in Pasco County but now serves Polk families out of local community centers a couple of days a week.
Strength training: Gauna-Scattolini, of Atala Counseling, recommends looking at therapy for mental health as being akin to strength training at a gym.
“Your brain and emotions are going to stretch in ways that you’re not used to, just like your body at the gym. But if there’s no pain, there’s no gain”.
Local mental health providers are also pushing back against misconceptions by offering culturally aware and bilingual care; creating trauma-informed, family-centered programs;
providing LGBTQ+-inclusive services; and partnering with nonprofits to meet people where they are.
Start with these mental health resources in Lakeland:
Despite rising awareness of the importance of mental health and the ways it can be addressed through science-based therapies, stigmas also still block access. And cultural norms, misinformation and unrealistic expectations still can keep people from getting care.
“Some people think they’ll feel better right away,” said Jessica Dobertin Borruso, a licensed clinical social worker with Willow’s Path Counseling, in Lakeland.
“But therapy takes time — and it’s meant to be uncomfortable yet fulfilling.”
Araceli Gauna-Scattolini of Lakeland’s Atala Counseling agrees: “Therapy is not instant gratification. But the awareness you gain? You can’t buy that.”
Atala Counseling (853x637, AR: 1.3390894819466248)
Overcoming Stigma: “In some cultures, mental health is viewed as an extreme condition or in religious communities, as a strictly spiritual issue,” said Dobertin Burruso.
“Or it’s considered shameful to ask for help — especially for young adults who are still on their parents’ insurance.”
That narrative is shifting. More Millennials and Gen Zers are embracing mental health care—and that’s opening the door for others.
ALSO READ: Healing: For many Lakelanders, the road to mental health is a slog
Experts concur that there’s a growing awareness that seeking therapy isn’t a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s seen more and more as skill-building, a means to self-regulation and as healing work. This is particularly true among survivors of traumas.
“Therapy brings awareness to triggers — people, places, situations; that’s growth,” said Dobertin Burruso.
Mom on a mission: Danelle, a Lakeland mom, struggled to get good therapy for her child.
“I needed someone to help my child regulate emotions,” she said. “But the first therapist barely scratched the surface, then ghosted us.”
That left her navigating an insurance system alone, trying to piece together care from outdated provider lists, meeting closed doors, unable to find a counselor that was not faith-based.
“I’ve basically had to be a case manager,” she said.
She discovered Prevention Services for Youth (YFA), a Central Florida nonprofit care provider, and its Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) program. It’s a free, 13-week training that teaches emotional regulation through family-centered sessions.
Each week, Danelle’s son learns a skill such as coping with anger or recognizing big vs. little problems.
Siblings have their own care and classes. Parents get homework and support.
“During a breakdown, I used what SNAP taught me,” she said. “I even called a facilitator who walked me through it.”
The program is based in Pasco County but now serves Polk families out of local community centers a couple of days a week.
Strength training: Gauna-Scattolini, of Atala Counseling, recommends looking at therapy for mental health as being akin to strength training at a gym.
“Your brain and emotions are going to stretch in ways that you’re not used to, just like your body at the gym. But if there’s no pain, there’s no gain”.
Local mental health providers are also pushing back against misconceptions by offering culturally aware and bilingual care; creating trauma-informed, family-centered programs;
providing LGBTQ+-inclusive services; and partnering with nonprofits to meet people where they are.
Start with these mental health resources in Lakeland:
- Atala Counseling – Individual, couples, family therapy, LGBTQ+ (sliding pay scale)
- Peace River Center – Crisis stabilization, psychiatric services
- Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine – Free mental health services for qualifying adults
- Willow Path Counseling – EMDR therapy, trauma-focused
- Black Swan Counseling – couples, families
- YFA’s SNAP Program – Free emotional regulation support for kids and families
- SAMHSA Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (24/7 confidential support)