About Me

Torey C. Richards, LMHC

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Hello, and a warm welcome to my page! I’m Torey R., a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Behavior Scientist, and a steadfast advocate for mental wellness based in the vibrant state of Florida.

I specialize in exploring the intricacies of mental disorders and adolescent mental health, a field that has both challenged and enriched me over the years. As a Certified E-Therapist and Clinical Trauma Professional, my mission is to provide compassionate, impactful assistance to those navigating life’s toughest storms. I also feel deeply privileged to serve as a Qualified Supervisor for Florida’s budding Registered Mental Health Interns, fostering the growth of tomorrow’s mental health champions.

A bit about my educational background – I pursued a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, graduating in 2002. Fascinated by the human psyche, I furthered my studies and earned a M.S. in Counseling & Psychology from Troy State University in 2007. I’ve been proudly practicing as a licensed mental health counselor since 2012.

My professional journey has encompassed a spectrum of experiences, including stints at an inpatient and outpatient substance abuse facility, a psychiatric hospital’s crisis unit, and even an inner-city high school. There, I worked closely with teenagers facing a range of challenges, from anger management and substance abuse to anxiety and depression.

Between 2013-2020, I was entrusted with the role of the Director of Mental Health at a county jail – a responsibility that expanded my insights into the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. Since then, I’ve also relished the autonomy of working in private practice.

Now, I lend my skills to a Level One Trauma Center, working as a mental health therapist for patients and their families amid physical and mental crises. It’s an immense honor to aid those who’ve endured traumatic events, as well as those grappling with life-threatening ailments such as respiratory and heart failure.

In terms of my theoretical orientation, it’s an eclectic mix. I pull from cognitive behavioral therapy, existential and rational emotive behavioral therapies, motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and acceptance & commitment therapy. Each lends a unique lens through which to understand and navigate the human experience.

When I step away from my professional life, you’ll find me lost in the pages of both fiction and non-fiction books, flexing my creative muscles through writing and photography, or deeply engrossed in art. For me, fitness is not just about staying in shape but also a way to keep my mind sharp; I’m an enthusiastic gym-goer and a proud blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, my personal therapy of choice.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my work. Your presence here on my blog is truly appreciated. I hope you will engage in the discussions – let’s exchange knowledge, foster growth, and traverse this journey of understanding the human psyche together.

Welcome aboard!

28 thoughts on “About Me”

  1. I was wondering , since you work with kids, what you could tell me about Pediatric Bipolar Disorder NOS.Can you write about this? I am sorry to invade on your inspirations for your articals. I am just new to this and looking for any help I can get. Mostly about how to deal with behaviors with a child like this.

    Reply

      1. Awesome thank you very much, is there a way I could email you some questions? I want to pick your brain on working with adolescent’s and substance abuse, self harm and depression.

  4. just wanted to say from what i’ve read so far, i appreciate the thought and care that you obviously put into what you are writing. i also imagine that it takes a lot of shoring up in your personal life to continue to be effective and encouraged in the work that you do. but i also imagine that you have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives that you encounter. i have a must be god-given love of teenagers though i’ve only worked with them in a church ministry capacity, and in a world where what they face seems so much harder and sooner than in my own past, i take every opportunity i can to love on them a little.

    Reply

    1. Thank you and thank you for what you do as well! Trust me, in ministry, in any capacity these kids can be shown love, compassion and guidance, they appreciate it and will benefit and grow from it. Some of the best therapy I have ever done has come in the form of general conversation, listening, removing professional boundaries and just being there for them. It doesn’t take a degree to do that, but the type of heart and compassion you are talking about and obviously have.

      Reply

      1. i hope so. and i’m sorry i didn’t see your name to use it. but maybe you need a level of anonymity. i appreciate your encouragement. my dad just celebrated his 70th and so many of the men who were teens when he was a young adult remembered most his willingness to have a real conversation with them and value their input and opinions, even as kids. i was struck by that. i grew up with parents who welcomed a host of young people with a beautiful combo of personal boundaries and acceptance. a tremendous ability to love the person without condoning negative behavior. anyway, i’m going on, but again.i appreciate the encouragement! 🙂 -kris

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    1. Ahh, thank you so much! This is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me and I am truly honored and grateful! Thank you and thank you for all that you do to share your experiences to help enlighten others!

      Reply

      1. It is my pleasure. I think it’s up to us to reward, even if it is a mere thank you, to those like you, who serve society. Your work is most certainly important and definitely appreciated. Keep up the good work.

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  12. I am not a health care professional, but came across this and am in desperate need to find a book or resource that can help me live and deal with a spouse that fits this description. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  15. Hello,
    I recently commented on a blog you did in 2013 on teenagers dating older men. I left my full name when posting which was not very smart. Is there a way to edit my last name off the post. Please let me know.
    Thank you,
    Ingrid
    pogo2017

    Reply

  16. I always wanted to be a mom from age 14 for sure 100%. Sadly I will probably never have my own children but never let that keep my hopes down. Even after 2 miscarriages & an ectopic pregnancy that nearly killed me. When I met my soulmate who had an ex wife & 3 boys, we spoke a good deal over the kind of relationship I would have in their lives. I loved them fully before I met them. But his ex made even talking or seeing them a rare thing.
    After only a few visits & the odd calls, we thought we finally had our prayers answered when the middle boy who looks identical to my hubby asked to come live with us! There is so much more to our sad story but for time & safety sake, must condense it. For our lives would never be the same after G came to stay with us at 11 years old. He’s now 15.
    The 1st year we were pretty clueless what was going on. He seemed so sweet, a chubby overweight boy with one dimple & a mom who tried more than once to leave him with my hubby never to see again but he refused to separate the brothers as he had been when he was put into foster care. We listened in horror to unbelievable stories of abuse, neglect, & worse. But something always seemed off about his reactions. I was raped at 9, molested from 11-13, discovered the body of a dead teen girl & been abused physically & mentally most my life. I am not unfazed, but will not pass on the abuse nor put up with it. I use it to make me stronger not more heartless. I couldn’t figure out what was off about this boy but would find out all too soon.
    Short story short, he was NOT what he even remotely seemed to be.
    In the entire time he’s lived with us, he has not shown one true good attribute. No joke. He is selfish, heartless, cruel, manipulative, deceiving, & even admitted to me he feels empty inside. No feelings of remorse or guilt at all.
    In the time he’s lived with us we went from happy to miserable and depressed, were happier homeless away from him than with him in home with all the comforts. He’s purposefully caused the death of 2 almost 3 couple of week old kittens we saved when we found mom cat dead. He asked to help with the nightly feedings and pottyings then starved and tormented them. No remorse. Bullies little children. Plays with small kids than those his age. He’s gotten my whole family to think I’m crazy, a evil stepmother, not one will treat me with the love and trust as before. Destroyed my longest friendship with my once music teacher, then friend. She was attempting to get legal custody from us while he lived with them after we lost our home and housing but soon she text me freaked out saying I was right on about him and fearing her girls safety. Both had to go to ER plus one was kept there for 4 days after the stress he put on their already ill bodies.
    He plays the neighbors everywhere we go so we are hated by all, even kids but have done nothing. Even have taken him to the crisis center with his journal with very disturbing stuff in it but they said were to blame. Never looked at the journal. He destroys all we love. Sentimental items, pets, relationships. Find knives on our bed, under his bed and pillows. Recently he started putting nails and screws in our tires and loosened all the bolts on one. Smiled at me and said yeah I know like he did good deed when after a bad surgery I was soo stressed and ill I asked him if he knew he was killing me. He’s accused us of abuse too many times but the case was closed officially for zero sign of abuse. They questioned him at school and he told them we didn’t abuse him. He uses the sympathy to get things. Uses us for slaves and maids. No joke.
    Told husband he got in trouble just because he overheard some kids talking about their feelings of depression and suicidal feelings and asked them why they just don’t do it then. He feels he was wronged and said nothing bad.
    There is more but I’m literally afraid of my son. Love him but he is incapable of live. Only hate anger and spite. Give me what I want and let me do as I want or pay.
    No one will listen to us and every time we try to get help for him we get nowhere except he makes life even more horrible. I’m a prisoner of my son. We need help. He is very sick. Is there nobody who may be able to help us. He is a very good actor manipulator and so on but when he gets mad is when you see the real him. We feel hopeless. Why does nobody help once they see him for who he is? Please help us. I’m terrified he will do something bad to us or my dad whom we live with now.

    Reply

    1. Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your torment. It definitely sounds like this young man has some emotional, behavioral and personality issues that need to be addressed. Do you have the resources to get him into therapy or connected with a psychiatrist who can further examine him? People with personality disorders, even children, are masters at deceiving other people and making those who truly know them look like the unstable ones. I think from your details it’s very likely that this young man is suffering from a psychiatric problem that cannot be handled without proper professional help.

      Reply

  17. Hi Torrey,

    My name is Sean Hedden and I’m a podcaster looking for guests. I came across your blog and was blown away by your perspective of a lot of issues I identify with – like ’emotional fluffer’ and BLM being some recent articles you wrote.

    I would be interested to interview for my podcast. This link gives more context about what I’m looking for:
    apowergreaterthan.com/be-a-guest

    Hope to hear back from you.

    Thanks,
    Sean

    Reply

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