About Gissa Infante, LCSW

Gissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work and Bachelor’s in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University.

“In providing therapeutic services my approach is both humanistic and empowerment-based. I believe all of us have the capacity to create positive changes in our lives if we are willing to look within to find our own strengths and put them into practice. Offering a safe space for self exploration and healing has allowed me to witness great personal transformations for both individuals and families. By reconnecting mind, body, and spirit we can increase our self-awareness and make lasting changes.

I have worked with adults, young adults, and families in individual and group counseling. I specialize in empowering victims of trauma and violence, as well as assisting with anxiety, adjustment to life transitions, grief/loss, self-esteem, relationship issues, career and financial empowerment, stress, and parenting. I have specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR); an evidence-based practice that has been proven as one of the most effective treatments of trauma.”
Gissa also brings her bilingual skills to the practice and offers counseling in Spanish or English, as well as hardship evaluations for immigration cases.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2008
Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2011
Experience includes:
Sexual assault response, advocacy and counseling
Domestic violence response, advocacy and counseling
Crisis Intervention
Life Skills Training
Several years experience working with culturally diverse populations, at-risk families, and homeless families
Counseling focused on adjustment, grief, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, parenting, stress
Crisis intervention and sexual assault response
EMDR
Consejeria en Espanol (Counseling in Spanish)
Professional Qualifications and Associations:
Clinical Social Work Intern (LCSW) through the State of Florida Department of Health
NASW (National Association of Social Workers) member and SWFL chapter Secretary

¿Como Reconocer una Relación Tóxica?

April 12, 2014 by
couple beach

Una relación sana está compuesta de confianza, intimidad, amor, respeto, buena comunicación y honestidad. Hay muchos otros factores involucrados, pero podemos decir que esos son los básicos. Sin embargo, tambien sabemos que las relaciones son difíciles y requiere el esfuerzo de ambos para crecer. ¿Cómo podemos distinguir una relación sana con problemas "normales" de una relación que es tóxica y drenante?  Y, ¿Cuando las acciones de su pareja cruzan de insaludable a francamente abusiva? Las siguientes señales avisan que es el momento de evaluar: Comunicación Pasiva-agresiva: Muchas veces … [Read more...]

Filed Under: En Espanol, Familias

How to Recognize a Toxic Relationship

April 12, 2014 by
MH900387517

A healthy relationship is made of trust, intimacy, love, mutual respect, good communication, and honesty. There are many other factors involved, but we can say that these are the most basic. However, we also know that relationships are difficult and require effort from both partners to grow. How can we distinguish a healthy relationship with “normal” issues from a relationship that is toxic and draining? And when do your partner’s actions cross over from unhealthy to downright abusive? Here are some signs that tell you it’s time to re-evaluate: Passive- aggressive communication: Many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Couples Connection

Stress and the body

April 10, 2013 by
brain

Stress affects all of us in different ways. We can have physical, psychological, emotional, or behavioral reactions to stress. However, the long-term effects of stress on the body are sometimes most damaging. It all begins in the brain. Our brains are hard-wired to detect possible threats. When we perceive a threat or a problem the cerebral cortex, responsible for thinking in our brain, activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is made up of the three parts that control our responses to stress; the hypothalamus (in the brain), the pituitary (in the brain), and the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mental Wellness, Physical Health, Physical Illness, Stress/Anxiety Tagged With:

Estrés y el Cuerpo

April 5, 2013 by
brain

Estrés nos afecta a todos en diferentes maneras. Podemos tener reacciones físicas, psicológicas, emocionales o de comportamiento al estrés. Sin embargo, los efectos a largo plazo del estrés en el cuerpo a veces son más dañinas. Todo comienza en el cerebro. Nuestros cerebros están cableados para detectar posibles amenazas. Cuando percibimos una amenaza o un problema de la corteza cerebral, responsable del pensamiento en nuestro cerebro, activa el eje hipotálamo-pituitaria-adrenal (HPA). El eje HPA está compuesto de las tres partes que controlan nuestras respuestas al estrés; el hipotálamo … [Read more...]

Filed Under: En Espanol, Salud Mental