Lynnette Montañez, LCSW, LISW

Lynnette Montañez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida and a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in Ohio. She is a Clinical Therapist with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit and behavioral health fields, providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families navigating grief, trauma, adoption-related concerns, and a range of mental health challenges. Lynnette is committed to fostering a supportive and client-centered environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered in their healing process. Lynnette is the owner of First Step Counseling Services, LLC and works part-time as a therapist while also caring for her two-and-a-half-year-old son during the day. In her clinical practice, she sees clients via telehealth with a range of mental health needs and she also works with R.E.S.T.O.R.E, a transitional home in Jacksonville, assisting them with reentry through therapeutic services. In addition, she serves as a Group Coordinator and Group Co-facilitator for the Children's Bereavement Center in Miami where she coordinates group sessions as well as provides peer-to-peer grief support for middle school students. Here, she is able to step outside of the traditional clinical role to engage youth through activities and emotional processing in a supportive, less structured environment. Lynnette also provides contract-based adoption home study services for families pursuing adoption with Connecting Hearts Adoptions and Heart of Adoptions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University in 2013 and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Barry University in 2015. Her early career included roles at the Center for Family and Child Enrichment, an agency that provided services for families within the dependency system in Miami, where she also completed her undergraduate internship, as well as a master’s practicum at Kristi House, supporting children and families impacted by sexual abuse. She later completed her licensure hours at The Agape Treatment Center, serving clients with mental health and substance use needs. Over time, she has developed a strong ability to maintain healthy professional boundaries, remaining fully present with clients in her therapeutic role while prioritizing balance and presence in her personal life with family, friends, and self.

• Florida International University - BSW
• Barry University - MSW