Hi, I’m Nelly.
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the owner of Clear Connections Counseling. And after years of doing this work, I can genuinely say that I still love being a therapist.
I’m endlessly interested in people, the experiences that shape us, the relationships that change us, the patterns we develop to protect ourselves, and what becomes possible when we begin to understand ourselves a little differently.
No two people arrive in my office with the same story, which is exactly why I don’t believe therapy should feel one-size-fits-all.
I work with individuals and couples across different ages, backgrounds, identities, relationships, and seasons of life. Some people come to me because anxiety has become overwhelming. Others are struggling in a relationship, going through a divorce, grieving a loss, adjusting to parenthood, navigating a major life transition, or simply realizing that something in their life needs to change.
Whatever brings you here, I’m interested in understanding you, not fitting you into a category.
MY APPROACH
I’m Interested in What’s Underneath.
Sometimes therapy begins with what’s happening right now: anxiety, conflict, grief, anger, uncertainty, or a relationship that isn’t working the way you want it to.
We’ll absolutely talk about what can help you cope with what’s happening today. But I’m also curious about what’s underneath it.
Where did this pattern begin? What keeps it going? What have you learned about yourself and your relationships along the way? What might a behavior or reaction be trying to protect you from?
Understanding the “why” isn’t the end of therapy. It’s something we can use to help you make meaningful changes in the present.
We’ll look backward when it helps us understand where you are today, but we won’t live there. We’ll also keep our eyes on where you want to go next.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME
I’m warm and compassionate, but I’m also straightforward.
I listen closely. I ask questions. I notice patterns and make connections. And when I think it may help, I’ll gently challenge you or offer a perspective you may not have considered before.
Therapy with me is collaborative. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life, and I’m also not going to spend every session simply nodding while you talk. We’ll work together to understand what’s happening and decide what might actually help.
Depending on what you need, our work may include practical coping strategies, communication skills, boundaries, exploring relationship patterns, understanding experiences from your past, or simply having space to talk honestly about something you’ve been carrying.
And yes, sometimes we laugh.
Therapy can hold difficult things without every minute of it feeling heavy. You don’t have to perform here, and you don’t need to arrive with the perfect words.
You get to be a person.
So do I.
EXPERIENCE & APPROACH
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida with more than a decade of counseling experience and an even longer history of working in the mental health field.
My approach is individualized and practical. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, solution-focused approaches, and other evidence-based practices depending on what will be most useful for you. In my work with couples, I also incorporate principles and tools from the Gottman Method.
I don’t believe one approach fits every person or every situation. Sometimes our work may involve learning practical skills or changing patterns that aren’t serving you. Other times we may need to slow down and understand what’s underneath those patterns in the first place.
I work with individuals, couples, teens, and young adults and offer counseling in both English and Russian. Sessions are available in person in Brandon and online throughout Florida.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME OUTSIDE THE THERAPY ROOM
When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me spending time with my family, going for a walk and soaking up the Florida sunshine, wandering through a bookstore, or curled up with a good book, a cup of coffee, and one of my pets nearby.
I’m an animal person through and through. We have both cats and a dog, and I genuinely love nature, travel, reading, and finding little moments of joy in everyday life.
I believe being a therapist doesn’t mean leaving your personality at the door. I’m a real person outside of the therapy room too, and I think a little warmth, humor, and humanity belong in the work I do.