Today we’d like to introduce you to Araceli.
Hi Araceli, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Argentina and moved to the United States when I was six years old. Since then, I’ve lived in New Jersey and several parts of Florida, each place shaping a different part of who I am. In 2018, while still in graduate school, I relocated to Lakeland to begin my professional journey as a mental health therapist, and I’ve called it home ever since.
In 2020, I joined Atala Counseling as a contract therapist, where I had the privilege of working primarily with children, teens, and LGBTQ+ youth. One of the most meaningful parts of my career began the following year when I launched Polk County’s first free Teen LGBTQ+ Support Group. Four years later, the group is still active—and still completely free—which speaks to the ongoing need for inclusive, affirming spaces for young people in our community.
In 2022, I became co-owner of Atala Counseling alongside my business partner, mentor, and dear friend, Katy Dumont. Together, we’ve grown the practice to a team of 12–15 therapists who support clients across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Our work is deeply community-oriented; we believe that human connection is the foundation of mental health and healing.
Atala Counseling’s mission is to “empower others to be strong, steady, and resilient;” these are qualities that inspired our name, as “Atala” carries that meaning in several languages. Our vision, “to dismantle barriers for a healthier Lakeland, one connection at a time,” reflects our commitment to making mental health care more accessible and rooted in authentic relationships.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a business and managing a team have both been incredibly rewarding and rightfully challenging experiences. I’ve learned that without challenges, there is little room for growth. One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been learning to shift from being “part of” the team to “leading” the team. Stepping into leadership has been both an honor and a humbling experience.
One of my favorite quotes about leadership is by Ralph Nader: “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” That sentiment really resonates with me. I believe strong leadership is about empowerment: helping others discover their own strengths, confidence, and sense of purpose within the work.
Another ongoing challenge we have been navigating is the changing landscape of mental health care access. Insurance companies have introduced new restrictions and requirements, which will make it harder for clients to use the benefits they already pay for. As a team, we’ve been intentional about finding creative ways to circumvent and lessen that impact, because everyone deserves accessible, quality care, regardless of policy changes.
As you know, we’re big fans of Atala Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a full-service counseling practice serving children, teens, adults, couples, and families.
Our services include:
Individual counseling for people of all ages (children through seniors) who are working through past trauma, current stressors, identity questions, and growth opportunities.
Couples and relationship-focused work to help partners reconnect, improve communication, minimize conflict, build intimacy, and foster the friendship within their relationship.
Family counseling, where we bring in the system around a person (parents, siblings, significant others) to support healing, increase emotional awareness, and strengthen connections.
Specialized intensives: Extended and personalized sessions designed for deeper work in compressed timeframes for those wanting focused change. Some examples of this are couples intensives on the weekends or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) sessions for distressing memories.
Support groups: A space for people who share experiences to feel seen, connected, and supported rather than isolated.
Bilingual and culturally attuned care: We are proud to serve Spanish-speaking clients and those whose cultural identity may require extra nuance.
I am proud of what sets us apart from other counseling offices.
Our name and mission: We intentionally chose “Atala” because across languages it conveys strength, steadiness, and resilience: the exact qualities we help people tap into. The Atala butterfly is also a species native to Florida that was once on the brink of extinction but is now thriving. This isn’t marketing fluff; it’s the foundation of how we approach each client, each session, each team member.
Our vision: “To dismantle barriers for a healthier Lakeland, one connection at a time” reflects our belief that human relationships are at the core of healing and showcases our focus on connection.
We are an inclusive, affirming practice. We are intentionally LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma-informed, and welcoming of diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds. Clients frequently mention they don’t feel judged — they feel seen.
We have built local roots and are community-oriented: Located at 905 S Missouri Ave in Lakeland, we’re embedded in the community. We are not a corporate franchise; we’re local people working for local well-being.
We offer tailored experiences. Whether it’s a single individual session, an intensive, or a support group, we meet people where they are and walk alongside them. That flexibility and genuine human approach distinguish us from others.
What we’re most proud of
I’m proud of how our brand lives out our values every day: a team that holds deep expertise and compassion; a space where difference is honored and strength is cultivated. I’m particularly proud that we have a practice where children, teens, adults, and families feel supported in a calming environment.
Also, the fact that our mission and vision are not just words on a wall but guide real decisions: From which therapists we recruit, to how we structure services, to how we partner in the community means our brand stays authentic and meaningful.
What we want your readers to know
If you’re reading this, here is what I hope you take away:
If you or someone you care about is yearning for change, connection, or healing: you don’t have to walk it alone. Atala Counseling offers a space where you can show up authentically, be heard, and take the next step toward wellbeing.
Whether you’re a child navigating identity and change, a teen seeking support, an adult wrestling with patterns or trauma, a couple aiming to reconnect, or a family wanting better communication: we have space on the couch for you.
We believe mental health is not a sign of weakness; it’s an invitation to strength and resilience. Our work is not just about “fixing problems” but building capacity, creating community, and empowering everyone we serve to feel strong, steady, and resilient.
If you’ve felt blocked by “that’s just how I am,” “this won’t change,” or “therapy isn’t for people like me,” we invite you to reconsider. One connection can shift that narrative. One space where you’re known and supported can change everything.
Lastly, we believe that in Lakeland and its broader region, there is a great need for services that are inclusive, accessible, and relational. Our vision is to dismantle barriers (whether financial, identity-based, systemic, or cultural) so that mental health care becomes part of community every day.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
One of the most immediate changes I see coming to the mental health field involves how people access care. Insurance companies are increasingly moving toward value-based care (VBC), also referred to as measurement-based or measurement-informed care. This model requires providers, including therapists, to collect standardized data from clients to track mental health symptoms and progress over time. While the goal is to improve accountability and outcomes, it also means that insurance companies may play a larger role in determining what is considered “medically necessary,” which can impact the type, frequency, and duration of services clients receive.
At the same time, there is a very positive cultural shift happening. More people, especially younger generations, are open to seeking therapy and view it as a proactive part of overall wellness rather than a last resort. This growing awareness and normalization of mental health support gives me hope that, over the next decade, we will continue to see therapy become more integrated into everyday life – something people turn to for growth, balance, and connection, not just crisis.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy with a Licensed Therapist: $150 for intake, $125 for follow-up sessions
- Individual Therapy with a Provisionally Licensed Therapist: $100 for intake, $85 for follow-up sessions
- Couples/Family Therapy with a Licensed Therapist: $175 for intake, $125 for follow-up sessions
- Couples/Family Therapy with a Provisionally Licensed Therapist: $140 for intake, $115 for follow-up sessions
- Tiered Pricing: A handful of our team members are offering tiered pricing ranging from $60 – $125. The range is dependent on the therapist. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atalacounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atalacounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atalacounseling/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atala-counseling/
Image Credits
Tinsley Creative
Boone & Byrd Photography
