Healing Begins With Your Next Step

At Next Steps Healing, we believe that healing is possible for everyone. Life’s challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, exhausted, or stuck in painful cycles, but you do not have to navigate those experiences alone.

We provide compassionate, trauma-informed counseling and holistic healing services designed to help individuals, couples, and families move toward emotional wellness, resilience, and lasting recovery in a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, or life transitions, our goal is to help you feel heard, understood, empowered, and supported every step of the way.

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Meet Rashad R. Gardner, M.S., RMHCI, C-DBT, CTP, EMDR, MCPA, Reiki Master

Compassionate, Evidence-Based Care for Lasting Healing and Recovery

I believe every person deserves a safe space where they can openly explore their thoughts, emotions, experiences, and personal challenges without fear of judgment. I meet people where they are. My approach to counseling is rooted in empathy, unconditional positive regard, cultural humility, and the belief that healing occurs when individuals feel truly seen, heard, and supported.

With more than 12 years of progressive experience serving diverse populations across mental health, substance use treatment, child welfare, crisis intervention, homelessness services, and community support programs, I am deeply committed to helping individuals reclaim their sense of self, build resilience, and create meaningful change in their lives.

Throughout my career, I have worked alongside individuals facing the following:

• Complex trauma
• Substance use disorders
• Anxiety and depression
• Psychosexual concerns
• Family conflict, marital concerns, and relationship distress
• Parental Alienation
• Grief from the passing of loved ones
• Crisis situations
• Severe and persistent mental illness
• Homelessness and systemic poverty
• Emotional dysregulation and identity struggles
• Gender exploration or concerns
• People on probation or parole
• People experiencing the child welfare court system
• And those who are simply trying to find their way through life

My goal is not simply to provide interventions to help a person cope but rather to help people heal holistically: mind, body, and spirit.

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My Counseling Philosophy

Healing is not one-size-fits-all.

I take an integrative and individualized approach to therapy that combines evidence-based clinical practices with holistic wellness principles to support the whole person. I believe therapy should be collaborative, empowering, culturally responsive, and tailored to your unique lived experiences and personal goals.

My therapeutic approach incorporates:

• Trauma-informed care
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• EMDR-informed techniques
• Mindfulness and grounding practices
• Motivational interviewing
• Solution-focused therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Strengths-based approaches
• Shadow Work approaches
• Holistic wellness and energy healing practices
• And so much more!!!

I strive to create an environment where people can feel safe and comfortable while processing painful experiences, develop emotional regulation skills, improve self-awareness, strengthen relationships, and move toward long-term healing and personal growth.

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Areas of Specialization

I provide counseling and support for individuals experiencing the following:

• Trauma & PTSD
• Anxiety Disorders & Panic
• Depression & Mood Disorders
• Substance Use & Recovery
• Bipolar I & Bipolar II Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Schizophrenia Spectrum & Severe Mental Illness
• Gender Dysphoria & Identity Exploration
• Sexual Compulsive Behaviors
• Psychosexual Evaluation
• Family Conflict, Marital Concerns & Relational Stress
• Emotional Dysregulation
• Crisis Intervention
• Cultural & Identity-Based Concerns
• Stress Management & Life Transitions

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Holistic Healing & Reiki Energy Healing

In addition to traditional counseling services, I also offer Reiki Energy Healing as a complementary wellness practice designed to support emotional balance, stress reduction, relaxation, mindfulness, and mind-body connection. Reiki is not a religion; however, it is considered spiritual. If you have any questions please feel free to connect and ask.

As a Reiki Master trained in the Usui Reiki tradition, I believe healing involves more than addressing symptoms alone. Holistic wellness recognizes the interconnected relationship between emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Reiki sessions may help individuals:

• Reduce stress and emotional tension
• Promote relaxation and grounding
• Increase emotional awareness
• Support nervous system regulation
• Enhance mindfulness and inner balance
• Complement therapeutic healing work

Reiki is not intended to replace mental health treatment or medical care, but rather to support overall wellness and personal healing as part of a holistic approach to self-care.

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Education & Credentials

Education

• M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Capella University Florida (CACREP Accredited)
• B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology—University of Nebraska Omaha

Professional Credentials

• Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern — License #IMH 27422
• Certified Trauma Professional (CTP)
• Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (C-DBT)
• EMDR Trained
• Master Certification in Parental Alienation
• Certified Abel Assessment for Sexual Interest-3 Evaluator
• Reiki Energy Healing Master

• EMDR Training through EMDRIA
• Psychosexual Trained Professional AASI-3
• SAFER Advanced Domestic Violence Certification
• QPR Suicide Prevention Training
• University of Florida Crisis Response Certification
• Anxiety & OCD Training
• Eating Disorder Training
• Opioid Overdose Prevention & Response Training
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• SafeCare Instructor Certification

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Professional Experience

My professional background includes extensive experience in:

• Community mental health counseling
• Substance use recovery treatment
• Intensive outpatient services
• Child welfare and family services
• Trauma-informed crisis intervention
• Residential treatment programs
• Group therapy facilitation
• Case management and wraparound services

I have worked with individuals and families from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and clinical backgrounds and remain committed to providing inclusive, affirming, and ethical care for every person I serve.

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A Safe Space for Healing

I understand that beginning therapy can feel vulnerable and uncertain. Reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of courage and self-compassion.

My commitment is to provide a welcoming, supportive, and empowering space where you can explore your experiences, strengthen your emotional well-being, and move toward healing at your own pace.

You do not have to carry everything alone.

Healing begins with your next step.

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Call to Action Section

Ready to Begin Your Healing or Recovery Journey? Book a free 15-minute consultation with me!