Meet Dr. Richard Taborga | Psychotherapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Founder and Clinical Director at Fort Lauderdale Counseling and Assessment

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Richard Taborga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Richard, what do you attribute your success to?
I feel that there are many factors that contribute to the development of a successful business. Hard work and a little luck go a long way! For me, some of the biggest factors that have contributed to the success of Fort Lauderdale Counseling and Assessment include: A true passion for the work that I do, an authentic connection and care for the clients that we see, and a consistent commitment to the continued growth and development of my skills as a psychotherapist as well as my company’s brand.

With regard to a true passion for the work that I do, since the day that I took my first Psychology class during my undergraduate studies, I have been obsessed with understanding human behaviors, emotions, interpersonal functioning, and helping people. I work with individuals across the life span that include couples, adult individuals with mood disorders (Depressions, anxiety, adjustment to life stressors etc.), as well as children and families. Each area of specialization is distinct and offer a different manner of understanding and helping people.

An authentic connection and care for our clients is, in my opinion, something that cannot be taught. Truly being present and joining someone during a difficult time in their lives is an honor and a privilege. I feel that people can feel the true alliance or connection that we develop. It is within the safety of this connection that clients feel heard in a non-judgmental manner and begin to the healing process.

A consistent commitment to growing and continuing to develop my skills as a psychotherapist includes staying up to date with research, learning new theories to understand behaviors and emotions, self-reflection, and staying updated with assessment material. It’s one thing to know the literature related to psychology and another to understand the art of psychotherapy. I like to think that we take a modern approach to therapy that combines the traditional approaches with new modalities, creativity, and parts of our personality that make each therapist unique.

As a creative individual, I bring this into my approach in helping clients, as well as advertisement and brand development. It’s a new area of interest that I have found to be fulfilling since opening this practice and I continue to grow every day in this area.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a group of experienced mental health professionals that share a vision of providing the highest standard of compassionate and effective mental health services. We’re truly invested in helping clients achieve their goal of emotional wellbeing and passionate about our work.

We understand that therapy is an incredibly powerful and meaningful process that can bring about a renewed sense of hope and freedom, empowering clients to live a more authentic and fulfilling life. It’s a great honor to be a part of our client’s journey of healing, and we enter into this significant responsibility with the deepest care and respect.

My vision for our practice was to nurture the growth of a group of intelligent and compassionate professionals by sharing information, learning from one another, and creating an environment conducive to the professional development of each clinician.

My journey was filled with amazing experiences and people that allowed me to develop my skills and vision for my own private practice.

The first 3 years of my work in this field were spent working with children and families in a partial hospitalization program for underserved populations. It was the hardest job I’ve ever had, but one of the most rewarding. It sparked my passion for working with kids and helping others.

I spent another year working with adults in a partial hospitalization program and developing my understanding and skills for working with adults with various mental disorders (e.g., Severe Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, and Suicidality).

Following my work in partial hospitalization care, I was fortunate to receive an offer to join a community-based, non-profit practice that provided services to an underserved Hispanic population. This allowed me to use all my skills to help good people who were simply trying to make a better life for their families and committed to changing for the better. My colleagues were amazing, and we truly considered ourselves a little family (I have this vision for my current practice). My Supervisor, Dr. Jari Santana, became one of my best friends and mentors. I was at this practice for 5 years.

During the last year of my Doctoral Studies, I completed an internship in a private practice in Central Pennsylvania named Rost and Associates. This was a memorable time for me for many reasons. The practice was owned by Dr. Polly Rost and filled with an amazing group of therapists that inspired me to grow. During this time, I found a passion for working with couples, met a very special woman named Kate Moncrief, and also met a dear friend and mentor, Dr. Cynthia Cox.

Dr. Cox and I would keep in contact over the years, and I was lucky enough to have her be the first therapist to join me at Fort Lauderdale Counseling and Assessment. Kate joined me in my great adventure to Miami, after I was offered a position at a practice owned by Alessana Fordin LMHC. This was another significant moment for me because it provided me with an opportunity to move to my dream location, Miami. Alessana valued my contribution to her practice and offered me the position of Clinical Director. It was an exciting time for me and for Kate. She earned an advanced degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and recently joined me at Fort Lauderdale Counseling too. I couldn’t have scripted things better!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love soccer, Sangria, and Hispanic foods! In particular, Baire’s Grill, Texas de Brazil, Fogo de Chao, and Bistro Cafe are my favorites. You can probably guess that I like a good steak. As a resident of Sunny Isles Beach, I enjoy the beach and sun, surfing, and being in nature. Brickell also offers a unique and diverse experience to share with others. My first opportunity to work as a therapist was at a practice in Brickell and I loved it. Louie Bossi’s is another incredible place to eat and drink. If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a bit of a foodie! Maybe a soccer game would be nice (Inter Miami) or sporting event. South Beach definitely!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I feel that many people have contributed to my success; many without even knowing it. First, I have to recognize all the clients that honor us with their trust. Their commitment to treatment and consistent support has been a driving factor in the success of Fort Lauderdale Counseling and Assessment. I think that they have brought purpose and fulfillment to my life, perhaps just as much as I, hopefully, helped them.

The 2 special ladies in my life, and biggest supports, include my dearest mother, Hortenia Taborga, as well as my love, Kate Moncrief. They have been my biggest fans and having their support and belief in me and my vision gives me strength to overcome obstacles and doubt. I also have to recognize my father, Guido Taborga, for putting up with me for so many years, teaching me that hard work pay off, and like many Hispanic people in this country, his many sacrifices so that I may have the many opportunities that were presented to me.

There have also been many incredible clinicians that have nurtured my growth as a therapist over the years, perhaps to many to mention all, but Dr. Cynthia Cox, Dr. Polly Rost, and Dr. Jari Santana-Wynn stand out as significant people in my journey.

At the risk of starting to sound like I’m at an award ceremony, I’ll stop there!! It’s a true honor to be recognized by Shoutout Miami.

Website: www.FtLauderdaleCounseling.com

Instagram: @FtLauderdaleCounseling

Linkedin: Dr. Richard Taborga, Psy.D.

Facebook: @FtLauderdaleCounseling