“As a neurodiverse person myself, I understand the unique challenges that come with being neurodiverse. My goal is to help you, your child, or your relationship embrace the gifts of neurodiversity, while reducing the intense pressures you may face. Together, we’ll work to build confidence, emotional strength, and self-awareness, honoring both the mind and body’s needs. By integrating the mind-body connection, we’ll create a holistic approach that nurtures resilience, balance, and perspective in every part of life.”
Hello and thank you for taking the time to visit and explore our website. I'm Yvette E. McDonald, LCSW-QS, CMNCS, Founder & CEO of Traveling Light Counseling, a counseling group practice located in Port Saint Lucie.
As a clinician I bring into our space empathy and understanding, flexibility and adaptability, innovative problem-solving, attention to detail, continuous learning, transparency, intuition, creative thinking, depth of processing, down-to-earth style, and relatable nature, which are all qualities that I truly hope to embody in our work together.
As you well know therapy is a journey for the brave despite all the stigma‘s that exist about it still to this day, which is mind blowing. Seeking therapy isn’t weak, it’s just everyday people seeking guidance within their life or their relationships. Therapy is about you saying I want something better, I deserve something better, I want to prioritize myself, I want to prioritize my relationship or perhaps you’re thinking I want to prioritize my child’s mental health. Whatever your reasoning you’re at a point in your journey where you see value in going to therapy, sitting and talking with someone and unpacking your feelings, screw ups, past pain and struggles and creating a road map for your future aspirations. That's where I come in.
SPECIALIZATIONS:
I prioritize clinical impact over volume, meaning instead of helping everyone a little, I help some people greatly providing a concierge experience. As a counselor with both autism and ADHD, my approach is enriched by a deep understanding of neurodiversity, allowing me to connect with clients across populations - adults, kids, teens, couples and families on a profound level. I bring a unique blend of strengths to my practice, such as heightened attention to detail, innovative problem-solving skills, and a keen ability to view situations from diverse perspectives. My personal journey has cultivated a profound sense of empathy and a commitment to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel understood and accepted.
Drawing on my experiences, I tailor counseling approaches to meet the individual needs of each client, fostering a client-centered environment that celebrates neurodiversity. I am passionate about advocacy, normalizing diverse ways of thinking, and continually educating myself to stay at the forefront of therapeutic approaches related to neurodivergence. My openness about my own neurodiversity aims to build trust and authenticity within the therapeutic relationship, promoting a collaborative journey toward growth and self-discovery. The Neurodiverse population exists somewhere on a spectrum between multiple disorders, or a unique combination of traits from multiple conditions which may include any one of the following:
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Anxiety, Anger, Depression
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Attachment Disorder
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Autistic with Low Support Needs
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Bipolar Disorder
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Couples specialization: Affairs, PTSD, & Drug and Alcohol, Bringing Home Baby
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Disruptive Mood Dysregualtion (DMDD)
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Gifted & Twice Exceptional
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Melt Downs & Shut Downs
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Mood Disorders
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OCD Subtype
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Perfectionism
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Sensory Seekers/Sensory Avoiders
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Strong-Willed/Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH
In addition to my specialization in neurodiversity, I firmly believe in a holistic approach to mental health that addresses the connections between mind, body, and nutrition. As part of this commitment, I am certified as a Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS) and am following this with the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) program in 2025. My goal is to integrate these approaches into my practice, helping clients achieve balance and healing by considering all aspects of their well-being. By focusing on mental health through the lens of nutrition and lifestyle, I aim to provide a comprehensive and individualized experience for each client.
What do you consider success for your clients?
I consider success in the room when my clients are able to navigate their emotional world with confidence and awareness. In addition when a couple reports to me that "I feel like we are friends again. We laugh and joke about things. We are also able to turn around the negative cycle much faster from all day to 15 minutes." Clients appreciate leaving my space feeling seen and have greater clarity and perspective on how to navigate the twists and turns in life that their season of life is currently throwing them into.
People that find the most success with me are ready to put the work in, and want someone that will match their motivation for change. I know what to look for in clients, what questions to ask, what resources to recommend, what the blindspots usually are, and what often gets missed. They find that they have a travel companion in their corner that brings, insight, clarity, and perspective. They enjoy my thirst for growth and knowledge that I happily bring into the room as I raise their emotional, relationship, intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence and bring a level of intentionality that empowers them and has them looking at life with a different lens. Metaphorically speaking together, we will take the baggage of the past and present and lay it all out. We will sort through what you have been carrying, ask the tough questions as to why, gain clarity and understanding as to how it became part of your story, clean out and sometimes throw out what no longer serves you or your relationship(s). Then we learn some new habits and skills to replace what was disregarded, learn new skills on how to practice self-love, self-compassion, process emotions, thoughts, and actions, have healthier relationships with others, heal and process the pains of the past, and learn how to rise strong in order to travel through life as the best and healthiest version of self.
"It takes a lot more courage to let something go than it does to hang on to it, trying to make it better. Letting go doesn't mean ignoring a situation. Letting go means accepting what is, exactly as it is, without fear, resistance, or a struggle for control." ~ Iyanla Vanzant.
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I’ve been doing this close to two decades at this point which is crazy when I think about it. I started this journey at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida with my undergraduate in Elementary Education and then continued immediately with my graduate degree in Social Work. Maybe one day I’ll get that doctorate in either Social Work or another complementary field or perhaps I'll write that book I always wanted to write. But in the moment, I set my sights on developing my craft in the world of relationships, managing emotions, and neurodiversity. I have completed levels 1, 2, and 3 in Gottman Method Couples Therapy in addition to specialized training in treating affairs and trauma and couples in addiction recovery. I am also heavily invested in couples knowing they have an option and they don't have to make a premature divorce decision. So, I am trained in Discernment Counseling in order to offer an option that was never available to me during my marriage crisis. I am also a Gottman Leader for both Bringing Baby Home and The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. In combination with Gottman I use an approach called Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). In addition to my therapist hat I also am a professor and Qualified Supervisor. Click here to learn more about that role.
"Embarking on the therapeutic journey is a profound investment in the well-being of every neurodiverse individual. In therapy, they find a tailored space to embrace their uniqueness, unravel the layers of their experiences, and unlock the transformative power of self-discovery. Through this intentional exploration, the benefits unfold—resilience deepens, connections strengthen, and a pathway to personal empowerment emerges, paving the way for a more enriched and authentic life."
My FORD
aka fun facts about me
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Family: I am entertainingly married in a blended neurodiverse family with my two teenage sons and teenage step daughter.
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Occupation: Outside of what you already know. I am a Homeschooling Educator, Adjunct Professor, Workshop Leader, Qualified Supervisor, & Co-founder of a RV rental business.
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Recreation: One of the things I love most is traveling, experiencing new adventures and taking in new sights. My favorite place to be is at the beach either relaxing and enjoying the water or paddling around with my Service Animal/Therapy Dog Bella. My hobbies are numerous as I'm a creative with ADHD and sitting still is scary. I love creating new things and working with my hands. On any given day you can catch me painting, crocheting, doing my nails, exercising and the list goes on. I live out the definition of "work hard, play hard".
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Dreams: My personal goals are to always stay present in my relationships, travel and make memories that last a lifetime. My professional goal is to have a well-being center that offers patients an array of services helping them to be the best version of self.
Want to learn more about this concept of FORD? Check out this Ted Talk "Meet as Strangers Leave as Friends" where John DiJulius talks about a cool rapport building technique.
You'll find a mix of couch thoughts, parent coaching, divorce and couples tips, ideas and strategies.
Let me help you move forward.
Hey I get it! I understand how chaotic life seems right now as I both have lived it and have walked alongside many on their journey to a better, brighter and lighter tomorrow. There is hope in what feels like a hopeless situation, relationship and/or life.
I can help you begin the start to a new chapter. Even if you are still wrestling with:
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Is counseling really necessary?
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I've been wanting to do this for a while but I just don't know how to start or even where to start.
I can help you! I make therapy convenient and less overwhelming to fit into your busy life.
Schedule a time to speak to me at 772-361-8448 or simply book your first appointment online now.
So, what are you waiting for? Let go and let the adventure begin!!
Thank you for taking the time and learning about me and including me on your journey of life. Clients who work with me appreciate my straightforward and down-to-earth approach! I can't promise an outcome as the journey to personal growth is unique. But, I can promise you'll get a travel companion that will make the journey brighter in order to make the necessary change for a better tomorrow. I look forward to bringing that in our time together.
