My mission is to provide a safe, inviting, and supportive environment for developing solutions to life's challenges.

Steven is the founder and owner of Montesinos Counseling Services. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH10873) in Florida. Steven is well-versed in various therapeutic and counseling approaches, techniques, and mental health assessments. He is also a member of the American Counseling Association, a professional association committed to promoting ethical standards in mental healthcare practice.

Steven has been interested in working in mental health for over 20 years. While in college, he decided to pursue this interest as a career, and he graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Counseling Psychology. He has worked with clients of different ages, genders, sexual orientations, faiths, education levels, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Steven has provided psychotherapy and counseling in various settings, such as personal and career counseling centers and a residential alcohol and drug treatment center. He also has experience working with different populations and groups, such as adults, young adults, college students, athletes, multicultural groups, individuals in recovery from alcohol/drug dependence, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

While working with individuals, he employs an integrated psychotherapeutic approach that combines person-centered, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), interpersonal process, internal family systems, and solution-focused therapies. Additionally, he has extensive experience in addressing a wide range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, OCD, phobias, grief, trauma, identity development, spiritual matters, stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues, performance, and career development. For a list of some of the common concerns he addresses, visit the concern descriptions page.

He has received advanced training in accelerated resolution therapy. This evidence-based psychotherapeutic technique helps heal individuals dealing with PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, grief/loss, and abuse-related issues (emotional, physical, sexual, etc.).

Steven believes that his life experiences, both positive and negative, have played a role in shaping his therapeutic approaches. He has faced several challenges and pressures throughout his life, including being the youngest child in a large family, financial pressures, working in the retail and higher education sectors, and caring for family members with special needs, disabilities, poor health, and addictions. Additionally, being part of a multicultural family system, navigating the college experience, making career changes, and dealing with various other stressors has given him a unique perspective on life. As a husband and father, he has also experienced the joys and challenges of marriage and parenting.

In addition to his practice, Steven is a college professor and instructs psychology and career courses at the University of North Florida.

As a long-time resident of Northeast Florida, he and his family consider Jacksonville and the surrounding areas their home. He looks forward to giving back to and supporting this community.