Anxiety Treatment Center of Orlando, LLC - Orlando, Florida

Emily S.

Jennifer is a great therapist. She takes the time to talk to patients prior to taking them on to ensure there is a good fit and encourages patients to speak up with any treatment concerns. This is so important for those that are concerned about speaking up, even when we’re paying for a service. Jennifer is available to patients outside of scheduled appointment times and even spends extra time when needed. I’m in the beginning stages of my journey, but have already learned so much. Jennifer’s years of experience and training are extremely valuable and clearly noticeable through her knowledgeable guidance, thoughtful approach and caring demeanor.

Sharon D.

I believe Jenifer to be a wonderful psychologist. She definitely is caring and truly wants to help, and she dedicates a lot of time to her clients. Unfortunately for me, she took on a case that she wasn’t properly trained for. She correctly diagnosed the issue (which is more than others had done) but I quickly discovered that, although she was familiar with the condition, she did not have the specialized training needed for proper treatment and unfortunately did more harm than good. I have since researched and educated myself on the condition through a local professional association of experts and educators and I’m way more equipped now to evaluate and discriminate the future resources I utilize. I do have her to thank for diagnosing the problem because now I’m on the right track and have made more progress in a couple of days through the help of this organization than I have in years of struggling to find help. In short, if you have a generalized, common concern than I do recommend Jenifer as a therapist. However, if you have a unique situation that you feel you have to constantly explain to others, then please do some research to find a properly trained specialist in that area. I’ve learned to not just take the word of the therapist that they can treat an issue, but to ask what precisely the treatment plan will be and compare that against the latest research on effective protocols for that condition.

Gary K.

Jenifer was instrumental in helping me get my life back. She provided me with the necessary tools to deal with my issues head on. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, (CBT), and relaxation techniques I was able to reduce my anxieties, better understand and manage my thoughts and actions. Jenifer is a very kind, caring and extremely good at bringing out the best in ones self. I highly recommend her to help you with any anxieties that you may be struggling with. Thank you Jenifer.

Carly S.

Since I came to Orlando about 4 years ago I was struggling to find a therapist where I felt like I was getting somewhere with my anxiety and anger issues. After multiple failed attempts at UCF counseling I decided to look elsewhere off-campus. Not too long after I sent in a new patient appointment request, Jennifer emailed me to set up a quick introduction meeting for the next day. She provided me with handouts to read and reflect on before our next session and I couldn’t believe how relatable it felt reading through them. I never felt like I was actually interacting with my previous therapists and with Jennifer I was able to get farther in my progress in just a couple session than I had in the years with UCF CAPS. Yes, she makes a little extra time for all of her clients and tends to run over, but I’d take waiting a couple minutes over being rushed out by some barely graduated student whose interest seems to be elsewhere in meetings. I’ve never had a therapist care the way Jennifer does. When I’m having a rough week she encourages me to reach out to her when things become too much to handle by myself.

M K.

Jennifer has been a positive source of support for me for several years. I especially benefiit from her expertise with CBT. Jennifer is a very caring and genuine person. After suffering with anxiety for many years, i finally have learned to deal with it very effectively.

Kisae S.

She helped me a lot in a short period of time. Glad to have gone!

JC

I went to several appointments with Jenifer Garrido in June and July of 2015. When we first spoke on the phone she explained she had over 20 years of experience, had dealt with similar cases and had a lengthy yet scripted sounding description of what she would do. But she basically said all the right things so I thought I was in good hands.

On the least side of things, she was behind schedule on our first appointment to which she confidently said it would never happen again except for special circumstances and that she would do the same for me and I accepted that. Unfortunately, it did happen every single time and moreover, I never saw any patients leaving before me, just like I only once saw a patient waiting after me.

But getting to the most important point, after several appointments it was clear she didn't know how to handle my case. Despite knowing that I had already had therapy before she gave me the same information I already knew as part of "standard plan" she uses for CBT therapy without adjusting for my particular experiences and place in the therapeutic process. I was in a difficult place at that time and what she was doing was not nearly enough to make an impact. I was just benefiting from being heard.

After a few appointments I tried expressing what we should focus on because deep down I knew what was bothering me the most but she ignored it and wanted to keep on with her standard plan asking me to trust her but I knew it wasn't what I needed so I repeated myself at which time she stops writing mid sentence and at first seems frustrated but then looks up with a smile and repeats the EXACT same thing I had just told her we should do instead but as if SHE came up with it. At that moment I felt embarrassed for her because she clearly had no clue as to how to handle my case and didn't want to admit it and it was clear her confidence had been shaken. At the end of that appointment as she said goodbye she referred to me by only part of my first name which she knew from a previous appointment irked me severely and she did it with a smirk on her face.

I couldn't believe a professional could be so petty, especially considering her awareness of my past so I told myself I must have misinterpreted it. I tried to ignore it, but it became even more obvious later on that she was not only unprofessional but a fraud.

I knew something was wrong and I wanted to change therapists but my father who was paying for therapy was adamant that having to start the process with a new therapist would waste valuable time so I decided to give Garrido another chance. Big mistake. What would happen next is just ridiculous. She would confirm appointments the night before only to cancel mid-morning. This happened 7 times! All with different excuses. But because my father was paying for therapy I stuck with it and TWO MONTHS went by with only two appointments in between all the cancellations.I still have the text messages saved on my phone as proof of how ridiculous it was. And in those appointments she looked uncomfortable throughout and would mention her diplomas on the wall, speak of the therapy's success as a reflection of herself (when all therapists know that they simply HELP patients heal), and she would go on about things that weren't relevant just to take up time. Clearly she knew I had seen through her as a fraud and couldn't handle it and much less admit she couldn't help me.

I know it's been more than half a year since this happened but I realize that it's better late than never to hold someone accountable for their irresponsible and damaging behavior. I lost months waiting for her when she was clearly just stalling hoping I would move on instead of her just being a professional and asking me to see someone else.

For a clinical professional to put her own ego ahead of a patient's well-being it's more than shameful, it's inexcusable. And I cannot allow the reinforcing of unfair, self-centered behavior to continue.

Nicole R. E.

Jenifer was wonderful to work with. She helped me develop strategies to cope with my anxiety.