The Story

Nicole Story, Ed.S, M.Ed, LMHC-QS, LMFT-QS

Family therapy is a very specific lens for psychotherapy requiring specialized systems training, education and experience. Many therapists in the field claim to practice family therapy but are not licensed Family Therapists - LMFTS - as required by law in Florida to use this term.*

Family Therapy

Nicole Story is a trained family systems therapist with degrees (MED & EDS) from the University of Florida in Marriage and Family Therapy and is dually licensed in the State of Florida as a Marriage and Family Therapist and as a Mental Health Counselor.

She served as the President of the NE Florida Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Ethics Chair of the Florida Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of the Family Therapy Association of Ireland and the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy in the UK.

She is a full member of the British Psychological Association and serves on the Northern Ireland Committee. She also studied Family Therapy at Rollins College (BA) and has been practicing for 25 years including training and supervising family therapy interns and clinicians throughout the state of Florida as a Qualified Supervisor through the Florida Department of Health.

Culturally she is originally from Ireland/UK and has lived in Florida for many years. Warmth, humor and authenticity are vital qualities in family therapy to hold, embrace and balance family tensions.

Having served as the Clinical Director of a dual diagnosis inpatient and outpatient adolescent hospital, there is no case too heavy or clinical at this practice.

Her upcoming book Saints, Scholars and Schizophrenics is part memoir and part clinical analysis of maladaptive family patterns and how to overcome them and thrive.

Vision

Here, we believe in the power of open communication and support to strengthen family bonds. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where families can explore their challenges together, fostering understanding and healing.

We invite you to embark on this journey towards a healthier and happier family dynamic.

*Use of the terms Family Therapy & Family Therapist

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 491, it is unlawful to use the term "family therapist" unless a person holds a valid, active license [5.4]. Specifically, under Florida Statutes § 491.012, the protected titles restricted to licensed professionals include "family therapist," "family counselor," and "licensed marriage and family therapist" [5.4]. [1, 2, 3]

Title Restrictions and Violations

Unlawful Use: Using titles like "family therapist," "family counselor," "family consultant," "marriage counselor," "marriage consultant," or "marriage and family therapist" is prohibited without the proper credential [5.4]. [1, 2]

Required License: You must hold a valid, active license as a marriage and family therapist issued under Florida Statutes Chapter 491 by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling [5.3, 5.4, 5.8].

Protected Service Descriptions

According to the law, you cannot advertise or describe your services using the following phrases unless licensed: [1, 2, 3]

"Marriage and family therapy"
"Marriage and family counseling"
"Marriage counseling"
"Family counseling"
"Psychotherapy" [1]

Statutory Exemptions

The restriction on describing services using these terms does not apply if you are actively licensed under: [1, 2]

Chapter 491: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Clinical Social Worker, or Mental Health Counselor.
Chapter 490: As a licensed Psychologist.
Section 464.012: As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certified as a psychiatric mental health specialist.

Use the interactive license lookup feature on the department of health's website to determine if someone is a licensed chapter 491 or 490 therapist in Florida and you can report them if they are not for medical negligence and unlicensed practice when warranted.