Starting November 3, 2025!
Toni Barnes MS
Compassionate. Grounded. Empowering.
Hello and welcome! I’m Toni, a devoted Mental Health Counselor with a heart for helping individuals and families find healing, strength, and self-understanding. I believe that everyone deserves a safe space to explore life’s challenges, process their emotions, and discover the tools to create lasting change. My mission is to help clients not only manage life’s storms—but learn to grow through them.
A Journey Rooted in Service and Strength
My career began long before private practice, shaped by years of serving youth and adults in community programs, behavioral health centers, and crisis support environments. As the founder of Mother Oliver’s Place, Inc., I’ve provided guidance and structure for youth facing difficult transitions, helping them build confidence, decision-making skills, and self-worth through mentorship and life-skills coaching. My background also includes years as a Mental Health Therapist with H.E.A.D.S. in Plant City, where I worked closely with clients managing anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges.
Before transitioning fully into counseling, I spent over a decade at Humana Inc., leading process-improvement and service-recovery initiatives that taught me the value of collaboration, communication, and problem-solving—all skills that deeply influence my approach as a therapist today.
Education and Lifelong Growth
I earned my Master of Science in Psychology in 2016, along with a Bachelor of Science (2013) and Associate Degree (2011). My academic journey has always been guided by curiosity, discipline, and a desire to understand people—how we think, feel, and adapt. I am continually pursuing ongoing education in trauma and emotional regulation.
Therapeutic Approach
My counseling style is grounded in empathy, structure, and empowerment. I use an integrative approach that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Interventions to help clients challenge limiting beliefs, build resilience, and rediscover their inner strength. I specialize in supporting adolescents, adults, and families navigating issues such as:
-
Anxiety and Depression
-
Grief and Life Transitions
-
Trauma and PTSD
-
Behavioral and Emotional Regulation
-
Relationship and Family Conflict
In every session, my goal is to create a space where clients feel seen, supported, and understood. Healing begins when we feel safe enough to be honest with ourselves—and I consider it an honor to walk alongside each client on that journey.
Empowering Others to Rebuild and Rise
I deeply believe that healing isn’t about “fixing” what’s broken—it’s about rediscovering your strength, rewriting your story, and reclaiming your peace. My clients often describe me as nurturing yet straightforward—someone who provides warmth and compassion while also challenging them to grow and reach beyond what they thought possible.
Whether you’re seeking to heal from trauma, improve relationships, or simply learn healthier ways to navigate life, I’m here to guide you toward balance, hope, and lasting change.