Atala Counseling

Atala Counseling Providing high quality mental health counseling to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples.

Therapy doesn’t always look like talking. Sometimes it looks like games, storytelling, and creating worlds in the sand. ...
03/28/2026

Therapy doesn’t always look like talking. 

Sometimes it looks like games, storytelling, and creating worlds in the sand. 

Play-based therapy gives space for expression, creativity, and healing–especially when words are hard to find. 

At Atala, we meet you in the moments that feel most natural to you. 🤍

Therapy doesn’t always look serious.Sometimes it looks like bubbles, laughter, and moments of lightness. 
Play can be a ...
03/26/2026

Therapy doesn’t always look serious.

Sometimes it looks like bubbles, laughter, and moments of lightness. 

Play can be a powerful tool in therapy–helping lower defenses, ease anxiety, and create space for connection and expression. 

At Atala, we believe healing can be both meaningful and gentle. 🤍

Therapy doesn’t always happen sitting on a couch. Sometimes it looks like slowing down, breathing deeper, and reconnecti...
03/24/2026

Therapy doesn’t always happen sitting on a couch.
 
Sometimes it looks like slowing down, breathing deeper, and reconnecting with your body.
 
Incorporating movement like sitting on the floor and stretching into sessions can help release tension, regulate emotions, and create a sense of safety from the inside out.
 
Because healing isn’t one-size-fits-all—and at Atala, we meet you wherever you are 🤍

🦋 March is National Social Worker Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible Clinical Social Workers on our team at Ata...
03/13/2026

🦋 March is National Social Worker Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible Clinical Social Workers on our team at Atala. 💙
Thank you to Amanda, Katy, Lauren, Michele, and Molly for the compassion, dedication, and care you bring to your clients every day. We are so proud of the work you do and grateful to have you as part of the Atala family.

Creativity is more than self-expression — it’s a powerful tool for mental wellness.Our counselor Amanda recently present...
03/08/2026

Creativity is more than self-expression — it’s a powerful tool for mental wellness.

Our counselor Amanda recently presented to the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce about how art can support mental health, strengthen team connection, and help prevent burnout.

Participants took part in a sensory-guided painting experience using aromatherapy, meditative music, reflection questions, and creative materials to slow down, decompress, and reconnect.

We’re grateful to partner with our local community to promote wellness in and outside the workplace.

✨ Meet Katy ✨A third-generation Lakelander with Dixieland roots, a love for movement, biscotti baking, and a deep curios...
02/09/2026

✨ Meet Katy ✨

A third-generation Lakelander with Dixieland roots, a love for movement, biscotti baking, and a deep curiosity about people and the world.

With 30 years of experience in social work, Katy brings wisdom, confidence, and compassion into the therapy space. She is EMDR trained, CBT certified, and Gottman Level 3 trained, working with adults and couples who are ready for meaningful, lasting change.

Katy believes healing happens through connection—valuing quality time over things, staying grounded in the present, and showing up authentically. She offers inclusive, affirming care as an LGBTQ+ ally and parent, and is known for her calm presence and thoughtful, collaborative approach.

We’re so grateful to have Katy as part of the Atala Counseling team 🤍 Katy is currently accepting new patients.

01/27/2026

EMDR therapy is everywhere lately… and so are the myths. 👀

Let’s clear a few of them up:

❌ Myth 1: It only treats trauma
✅ Truth: EMDR is used for anxiety, panic, phobias, performance blocks, grief, and more.

❌ Myth 2: It erases traumatic experiences
✅ Truth: EMDR doesn’t erase memories — it helps your brain reprocess them so they no longer feel overwhelming.

❌ Myth 3: Treatment uses hypnosis
✅ Truth: You are fully awake, aware, and in control during EMDR sessions.

✨ Important reminder: EMDR should always be performed by a trained and licensed clinician.

At Atala, your safety, comfort, and healing always come first.

💬 Curious if EMDR might be right for you? We’re here to help.

✨ Therapist Spotlight: Meet Jamie G. ✨Jamie G. works with children (5+), adults, couples, and families and specializes i...
01/22/2026

✨ Therapist Spotlight: Meet Jamie G. ✨

Jamie G. works with children (5+), adults, couples, and families and specializes in anxiety, stress, life balance, burnout, and navigating life transitions like separation and divorce.

She loves helping kids through play therapy with emotional regulation and school anxiety, adults with work stress and perfectionism, and families improve communication.

Outside the office, you’ll find her at hot yoga, thrifting, working on DIY projects, or driving her Camaro. Fun facts: she owns a lot of shoes, eats a Snickers almost daily, drinks exactly one sugar-free energy drink per day, and plays fetch with her cat.

We’re so honored to have Jamie G. on our team! 💛

🤍 A New Chapter at Atala 🤍We’re excited to share that Atala Counseling is entering a new season of growth. Moving forwar...
01/20/2026

🤍 A New Chapter at Atala 🤍

We’re excited to share that Atala Counseling is entering a new season of growth. Moving forward, Araceli will be stepping into the role of sole owner of the practice.

This transition represents a thoughtful evolution that honors the foundation Katy built while allowing Atala to continue growing with the same values that have always defined it.

Katy has been the heart and guiding force of our office since day one. Over the last five years, she has led with steadiness, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to both our clients and our team. The culture and care you experience at Atala today exist because of her vision and dedication.

While leadership is evolving, the heart of Atala remains the same — same mission, same values, same compassionate care.

We’re also happy to share that Katy remains a truly valued part of the Atala team and will continue serving clients as a counselor. Her presence continues to shape our work in meaningful ways.

We’re so grateful for our community and excited for what’s ahead 🤍

01/08/2026

✨ Therapy isn’t just about talking. It’s about connection.

“Healing happens in the context of safe relationships. Therapy creates a space where real connection can exist — and that’s where real change begins.”

At Atala, we believe you were never meant to do life alone. 🤍

✨ Meet James ✨James brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep love for understanding the human experience into every session....
01/06/2026

✨ Meet James ✨

James brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep love for understanding the human experience into every session.

He specializes in anxiety, depression, communication skills, and behavioral challenges, and works with kids (5+), teens, adults, couples, and families. With advanced training in EMDR, CBT (Beck Institute), and Level III Gottman Couples Counseling, James blends evidence-based care with genuine connection.

Outside the office, you’ll likely find him playing pickleball, walking his dapple dachshund Tuna around Lake Hollingsworth, or soaking up local Lakeland events. His curiosity, compassion, and lived experience shape a therapist who truly meets clients where they are.

📍 Accepting clients now

🎄 Merry Christmas from Atala Counseling 🤍Whether today feels joyful, quiet, or complicated, your feelings are valid.Wish...
12/25/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from Atala Counseling 🤍
Whether today feels joyful, quiet, or complicated, your feelings are valid.
Wishing you moments of peace and gentleness this season.

Address

905 S Missouri Avenue
Lakeland, FL
33801

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Take the first step towards emotional wellness

With over 30 years of combined professional experience, we offer a person-centered approach that is supportive and nonjudgmental. We are also proud to be a training site for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Masters Students and Registered Mental Health Interns.

Kathryn “Kat” Ordonia, LMHC, PMH-C Co-owner and Counselor

Kat works with individuals as well as couples who might be suffering from depression, anxiety, self-esteem concerns, communication issues, substance abuse, or those who may be coping with a current or past trauma. She has worked in private practice as well as in hospital settings including inpatient psychiatric units.

Kat is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C) and is passionate about working with new mothers and families whose lives have been touched by postpartum related mood disorders (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders).