Meet Our Team

Fort Myers, FL Team

Naples, FL Team

The Woodlands, TX Team

Elizabeth Muniz, LMHC, RPT-S, is the co-founder of Thrive Therapy. She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from Florida International University in Miami, FL. She continued her education and graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Upon graduation, she worked extensively with victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect providing them with individual, group and family counseling.

Currently, Elizabeth oversees the professional development of clinicians at Thrive Therapy, using her experience to guide them on their journeys toward licensure or achieving Registered Play Therapist status. While her earlier career involved working with clients experiencing difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma, loss, divorce, and significant life changes, Elizabeth now focuses on sharing her expertise to a new generation of practitioners. Her leadership role extends to specializing in addressing childhood mental health and behavioral concerns by implementing evidence-based play therapy interventions, which she conveys to the therapists she supervises. This unique focus has positioned both Elizabeth and Thrive Therapy as leaders in the application of play therapy in Lee and Collier County and the surrounding areas. Additionally, she is a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist, the leading research-supported therapy for the treatment trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Elizabeth’s leadership extends beyond the therapy room, demonstrated by her role as a presenter at the Florida Association for Play Therapy Annual Conference and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Annual Children and Youth Mental Health Conference. Her dedication is further highlighted by her previous service as a board member and co-chair of the Public Awareness Committee for the Florida Association for Play Therapy. Notably, she was honored as a 40-under-40 recipient by both Gulfshore Business magazine and The Business Observer, recognizing her leadership, innovation and impact within the community.

Outside of the office, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and their two dogs. She also loves reading thriller novels, staying active and exploring new places to eat around Southwest Florida.

Rachel Stewart, LMHC, RPT-S, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and co-founder of Thrive Therapy. Rachel graduated top of her class from the University of Central Florida with her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling and Certificate in Play Therapy. Upon graduation she worked at a residential psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents, providing crisis stabilization for the acute inpatient treatment and partial hospitalization programs as well as providing individual and group counseling services to children in intensive residential treatment struggling with severe mental health and behavioral concerns.

Rachel has extensive experience providing counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in private practice for over 10 years. She specializes in the treatment of childhood mental health and behavioral concerns through the use of play therapy interventions. This highly unique specialization makes her and Thrive Therapy the leading practice for play therapy. She is a member of the Association for Play Therapy and has served as a board member and chair for the local SWFL Chapter of the Florida Association for Play Therapy and as the co-chair of the Public Awareness Committee for FAPT. She also specializes in supporting survivors of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Rachel is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the leading research supported therapy for the treatment of trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Rachel is an established presenter in the mental health field. She has presented on “Creativity in Counseling” at the annual conference, Krimes Against Kids; “Domestic Violence and Play Therapy” at the annual conference for the Florida Association for Play Therapy; and “Play Therapy and Trauma” at the annual Florida Gulf Coast University Children’s Mental Health conference.

Rachel is the author and creator of the book and therapeutic kit Zack and Zoie Safe Zones: A Guide to Help Keep Children Safe™ a prevention education and trauma processing tool for children.

As a proud co-founder of Thrive Therapy, Rachel is passionate about serving individuals in the mental health field. Since transitioning to a leadership role within the practice, her focus has shifted from taking on new clients towards using her expertise to guide and enhance Thrive Therapy’s overall clinical services. She provides supervision and education to clinicians; implement strategic planning for practice growth; ensure the delivery of high quality and ethical mental health services; build relationships within the community to promote mental health awareness and engagement; and monitor and ensure a positive client experience.

Outside of the office, Rachel enjoys being outdoors with her family, anything DIY, and baking sweet treats.

Elizabeth McDowell, LMHC, Site Supervisor at the Fort Myers Office, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin. Elizabeth is a native Floridian who received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2011. She continued her education at Liberty University and graduated at the top of her class with her Masters degree in Professional Counseling in 2015. Elizabeth has been working as a therapist in private practice since 2015, and has also worked as a Psychology teacher at a technical college for several years.

Elizabeth is a highly relational and integrative therapist, in that she utilizes various evidence-based, therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-based strategies, and Play therapy. She has a passion for developing the unique characteristics and strengths of the individuals she works with, to help them achieve the emotional, behavioral, relational, and spiritual lives they desire. She has a knack for connecting with individuals in a meaningful way, which allows her to encourage her clients to learn self-acceptance, while also challenging themselves toward change.

In her experience as a therapist, Elizabeth has had the privilege of working with a variety of different clients and issues, but her areas of expertise include working with families, children, adolescents, and couples. Her experience has also included a focus on depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship conflict, self-esteem issues, and family issues. She also enjoys working with people who consider faith and spirituality to be an important aspect of their lives.

Elizabeth’s goal is to create a warm, accepting therapeutic environment that helps her clients address and resolve issues at the root, while equipping and empowering them to reach their goals.

Outside of the office, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids, exploring nature, reading a good novel, learning about nutrition, and baking.

Cassandra Simon, LMHC, NCC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor specializing in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University. She continued her education at Florida Atlantic University to graduate at the top of her class with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Cassandra utilizes various evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-based strategies. Additionally, she is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the leading research-supported therapy for the treatment of trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. She specializes in the treatment of childhood mental health and behavioral concerns through the use of play therapy techniques. Cassandra is a member of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Association for Play Therapy and the American Counseling Association. She is in the final stages of completing her hours toward the Registered Play Therapist credential. 

When working with children and adolescents, she emphasizes the importance of a family-centered approach that allows parents and caregivers to become better equipped to regulate their children and strengthen their relationships. She believes incorporating the family unit into the child’s work allows for generalizing new skills to various environments through parent modeling techniques.

As a firm believer in the transformative power of therapy, Cassandra prioritizes fostering a collaborative, nonjudgmental, warm, and welcoming environment for her clients. She aims to empower clients, help them build self-awareness, improve coping skills, and enhance their overall quality of life. 

Outside of the office, Cassandra enjoys baking, crafting, making sourdough bread, reading, and getting outdoors.

Katie Lile, RMHCI, is a Registered Mental Health Therapist in the state of Florida and is a Naples native. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, Suma Cum Laude. Following her time in Boca Raton, FL, she decided to move back to her hometown and attend Florida Gulf Coast University where she obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Completing two internships during her time at FGCU, Katie has extensive experience working with all individuals – ranging from children as early as 3-years-old to individuals with trauma from sexual and/or physical abuse. 

Katie specializes in working with children but is passionate about facilitating positive changes in adults, couples, and teens. She believes every individual is unique, therefore, she creates a treatment plan tailored to the direct needs of yourself, your child or your partnership. Her therapy approach involves creating a secure and safe environment with the importance of feeling heard. She believes that every behavior is purposeful and sends a message. During your therapy journey, she works from a family systems approach as change is only maintable with the follow-through that is being done at home. 

Utilizing components of Child-Centered Play Therapy and Adlerian Play Therapy, Katie interprets behavior/feelings/thoughts through the natural language of a child, play. When working with adults, Katie believes in the power of meeting you where you are at – taking therapy at a pace that feels comfortable for you while challenging you to unlock your full power. She takes a Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) approach to therapy in helping individuals formulate insights into the thoughts that impact their feelings and choices. When working with couples, Katie believes in taking the necessary time to hear both individuals’ stories. She utilizes components of Gottman’s method; an evidence-based treatment that aids in cultivating change within relationships.

Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her partner and their dog, Goose. She enjoys staying active, practicing yoga and pilates as her main form of “therapy”. She hopes to become a yoga instructor as her next endeavor. 

Taylor Tate, LCSW, at the Fort Myers office, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Florida and Texas. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Taylor was accepted into their advanced standing Master’s program which she completed the following year.  Taylor completed two internships during her time in school, one of which focused specifically on ages 12-17 and the other was working with young children and families. Taylor has also worked in grief counseling and feels privileged to walk alongside someone in their grief. 

In her experience as a therapist, Taylor has has the privilege of working with individuals of a variety of ages and backgrounds and truly loves working with all ages. She also has experience working with family units and greatly loves helping strengthen relationships. Taylor’s goal is for everyone who leaves her office to feel hopeful and encouraged. 

Taylor highly values the therapeutic relationship. She believes building rapport, mutual trust and respect is extremely important in therapy. Taylor has a deep desire to encourage individuals and build upon their strengths. She believes true change comes from within. Taylor utilizes various evidenced-based therapeutic techniques such as trust based relational intervention, play therapy, solution focused therapy, grief therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness techniques.

Outside of the office, Taylor loves spending time with her husband and 3 young children. Her family loves traveling and spending time with extended family and friends. 

Alyssa Biestek, LMFT-S, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both Texas and Florida. She attended Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL for both her Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science degrees. Through her education on families and relationships, Alyssa highlights the importance of viewing each client’s life through a systemic lens. She understands that every behavior makes sense in context and that our environments and relationships impact who we are.

Alyssa has a passion for providing care to children, adolescents, and their families. She also has found enjoyment in working with young adults on life transitions. She has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is currently in training to become a Registered Play Therapy (RPT). Being able to get creative with kids and incorporate alternative methods into sessions (art, sandtray, etc.) brings Alyssa joy. Much of Alyssa’s experience is in treating individuals struggling with depressive and anxiety disorders, ADHD, neurodivergence and trauma. One of her niches is helping those who have or currently engage in self-injurious behaviors. As a child and adolescent therapist, Alyssa notes the importance of parental participation in sessions while also balancing the confidentiality and privacy of the minor client.

Since practicing, Alyssa has further deepened her belief around the biggest factor of change in therapy being the therapeutic relationship with her clients. She takes time to build a genuine connection and relationship with each individual whom she works with. She brings her authentic self into session and works to incorporate client interests into sessions. Highlighting client strengths, offering validation, and working collaboratively are just some of the interventions you can count on with Alyssa!

Outside of the office, Alyssa enjoys reading outside, spending time with her two dogs, and trying new restaurants.