Compassionate Support for Life’s Challenges
Handled With Care Counseling provides professional mental health counseling for children, teens, adults, couples, and families throughout Brandon and the Tampa Bay area.
Our practice was founded on the belief that everyone deserves a safe, supportive space where they can be heard, understood, and empowered to move forward. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, substance abuse concerns, or a major life transition, we are here to help you heal, grow, and thrive.
Our practice was established by Nichole Venegas, JD, LMHC, Doctoral Candidate, whose commitment to mental health care is both professional and deeply personal. Having dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families facing emotional and mental health challenges, Nichole’s path and advocacy became even more personal following the heartbreaking loss of her only sibling to suicide in 2022.
That devastating experience profoundly reinforced her belief that no one should have to face life’s darkest struggles alone. It deepened her personal commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and ensuring that individuals and families have a safe, compassionate, and high-quality place to turn for support.
What began as a personal mission to provide meaningful, accessible care in the wake of unspeakable tragedy has grown into a trusted counseling practice—one that continues to guide the heart and purpose of every aspect of our care today.
We believe counseling should never feel one-size-fits-all. Every client brings unique experiences, challenges, and goals, which is why we provide personalized care rooted in evidence-based counseling and trauma-informed practices.
Our goal is simple: help people heal, grow, and develop the tools they need to thrive both now and in the future.
At Handled With Care Counseling, we believe supporting mental wellness extends beyond the counseling office. Our practice is committed to serving and strengthening the communities we call home through professional leadership, advocacy, and community involvement.
Our founder is actively involved with:
Meet our team of qualified mental health counselors!
I became a mental health provider because I believe everyone needs a safe space to just breathe. This is a place to be heard, grow, and reflect on life’s journey. Feeling heard and accepted is my main focus during our sessions. My counseling style is warm, empathetic, encouraging, and interactive as I utilize a client-centered approach. I also incorporate other modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Exposure Therapy (ERP), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
I have experience in supporting teenagers, young adults and adults.
With a background in Law, I bring a meticulous and empathetic approach in understanding complex human emotions. My journey led me to become a certified Life Coach, focusing on nurturing self-esteem and personal growth. Holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I merge my legal insights with therapeutic techniques to provide holistic support. My training in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) further enhances my ability to empower clients in their mental and emotional well-being journey. I am here to guide you through life’s challenges and to help you step into your power.
In my free time, I spend it with my family and work with my nonprofit, Just Help Out Foundation 501(c)3 which focuses on suicide prevention and mental health.
Nichole Venegas, JD, LMHC, Doctoral Candidate
I became a therapist because I know what it feels like to survive hard seasons and still be expected to keep moving forward. My path into this work wasn’t built from a textbook alone — it came from life experience, recovery, personal growth, and years of working directly with people navigating addiction, trauma, mental health challenges, homelessness, grief, and major life transitions. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone finally feels understood instead of judged, and that’s the kind of space I strive to create for every client I work with.
I hold a Master of Social Work and have experience working with adolescents, adults, veterans, and individuals struggling with substance use, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and co-occurring mental health concerns. My background includes work in hospital settings, community mental health, addiction treatment, and with veterans experiencing crisis, instability, and trauma. These experiences have shaped the way I approach therapy — with honesty, compassion, adaptability, and genuine human connection.
My style is honest, direct, collaborative, and engaged. I believe therapy works best when it feels real. I’m not someone who simply sits back and nods; I actively work alongside my clients to help them better understand themselves, develop practical tools, and create meaningful change. I care deeply about creating a space where people can be fully themselves without feeling judged or pressured to pretend they have it all together.
I use an individualized approach to treatment based on each client’s needs and goals, drawing from evidence-based modalities including:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Mindfulness and emotional regulation strategies
I have a particular passion for working with individuals struggling with addiction, ADHD, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, identity concerns, men’s mental health, self-esteem, and life transitions. I also enjoy helping clients who may feel misunderstood, stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed by the pressure of trying to “hold it all together.”
At the core of my work is the belief that therapy should be a partnership. My goal is to create an environment where you can be honest, feel supported, and begin building a version of your life that feels healthier, more balanced, and more aligned with who you truly are. Whether you’re navigating recovery, relationships, stress, trauma, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, you do not have to do it alone.
Healing is not about becoming a completely different person — it’s about learning how to care for yourself, understand yourself, and move through life with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. I’m here to walk alongside you through that process.
Kathie serves as the Client Care Coordinator at Handled With Care Counseling, where she is often the first friendly voice clients hear when reaching out for support. As a dedicated mother and grandmother, she brings warmth, compassion, and genuine care to every interaction.
Kathie’s passion for mental health advocacy was shaped by the tragic loss of her son to suicide. This life-changing experience inspired her commitment to supporting individuals and families facing mental health challenges. She currently serves on the board of the Just Help Out Foundation, a local nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and community support.
In her role, Kathie assists with scheduling, client communication, and ensuring that every person who contacts the practice feels welcomed, supported, and cared for from the very beginning of their journey.
I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves a place where they can slow down, breathe, and feel genuinely heard. Life can get overwhelming, and having a space that feels safe, steady, and supportive can make all the difference.I hold a Master of Social Work and have experience working with children, young adults, and adults as they navigate big emotions, stress, and life transitions. No matter your age or background, my goal is to meet you exactly where you are with compassion, empathy, and zero judgment.My style is warm, encouraging, and collaborative. I’m not the “sit silently and nod” type — I’m engaged, interactive, and focused on helping you feel understood and supported. I use a mix of evidence‑based approaches depending on what you need, including:
I specialize in supporting individuals with ADHD, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, impulse‑control difficulties, and everyday stress. Whether I’m working with a child learning to manage big feelings, a teen navigating identity and pressure, or an adult seeking clarity and balance, my focus is always the same: creating a space where you feel safe, valued, and supported.At the heart of my work is the belief that therapy should feel like a partnership — a place where you can show up as your full self and know you’ll be met with understanding. I’m here to help you explore your story, build tools that work for you, and move toward a life that feels more grounded and aligned with who you want to be.You don’t have to figure everything out alone. I’m here to walk with you, one step at a time.
No two people experience life’s challenges the same way. Our counseling services are tailored to meet you where you are and provide practical support, guidance, and evidence-based strategies that promote lasting growth.
Learn healthy coping strategies and regain a sense of balance and control.
Work through feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emotional exhaustion with compassionate guidance.
Process difficult experiences in a safe environment while building resilience and healing.
Navigate loss with understanding, support, and tools for moving forward at your own pace.
Receive support for recovery, personal growth, and healthier decision-making.
We’ll help you find the counseling approach that’s right for you.
Taking the first step toward support can feel difficult, but you don’t have to navigate life’s challenges by yourself. We’re here to help you find hope, healing, and practical tools for moving forward.
