About Me
Our Mission
The mission at Cardinal Counseling Services is to work with clients to identify and soar through their personal therapeutic goals to co-create the most enriching path towards optimal health.
My name is Megan Cespedes, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-S/LISW-S), Registered Play Therapy-Supervisor (RPT-S), and I have been in in practice for over 10 years. In addition to working in private practice, I am an Adjunct Professor for the School of Social Work at Florida Gulf Coast University and a School Counselor/Licensed Mental Health Professional for Collier County Public Schools. I am a Qualified Social Work Supervisor in the state of Florida as well as a Certified Grief Informed Professional and licensed to practice in Florida, Ohio, and New Mexico. I graduated from Lindsey Wilson College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Counseling and the University of Cincinnati with a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
I co-founded a private practice in 2015 that specialized in children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families before parting ways in 2020 to begin an independent journey with Cardinal Counseling Services, LLC.
I currently provide services to children, adolescents, and adults including individual, family and group counseling. I have experience working with children, adolescents and adults experiencing relational, emotional, behavioral, and/or social difficulties. I have worked with challenges surrounding grief, adjusting throughout the life cycle, depression, anxiety, anger management, social skills, family violence, divorce, couples and the many facets of trauma. I use evidence-based approaches, including but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
I work with clients to identify their personal therapeutic goals to co-create the most enriching path towards optimal health. I do this by utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities, providing support, and encouragement. I work closely with other treating professionals, parents, and educational staff as needed with given permission.
Professional Qualifications & Associations
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) through the State of Florida Department of Health (SW#13332)
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-S) and qualified supervisor through the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board (I.2405203-SUPV)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) through the State of New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners (SWB-2023-0385)
- Qualified Supervisor through the State of Florida Department of Health to supervise registered clinical social work interns pursuing licensure
- Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) through the Association for Play Therapy and able to supervise Licensed Clinicians to pursue their RPT credential
- EMDR Trained Therapist through EMDRIA International Association
- Member of APT (Association for Play Therapy)-national and state
- Continuing Education Committee for the Southwest Chapter of the Florida Association for Play Therapy
- Certified Grief Informed Professional through Evergreen Certifications