Directory > Providers > Counseling > Addiction Counselor > FL > South Miami > Raymond Estefania, MS, LMHC, CAP, CIP, ICADC > Reviews

Raymond Estefania, MS, LMHC, CAP, CIP, ICADC

Wellness.com Featured Provider
Raymond Estefania, MS, LMHC, CAP, CIP, ICADC
Raymond S. Estefania, MS, LMHC, CAP, CIP, ICADC
(48 Reviews)
Office

(305) 479-8253

 5901 SW 74 Street Suite 201 South Miami, FL 33143
Add a Review

Consumer Feedback

(48 Reviews)
Recommended
5 star average for Recommended
Environment
4.5 star average for Environment
Expertise
5 star average for Expertise
Staff
5 star average for Staff
Service
5 star average for Service
I have been working with Ray for the past three years. I find him to be a great fit for me and he deserves no small amount of credit for my sobriety today. He is relaxed in his approach but also firm. He sets realistic expectations, expects me to meet them, praises me when I do and helps me pick myself up when I don't. I am an adult male professional who fortunately has a supportive family as I recover from my addiction. I would highly recommend his services.
by JR xxx.xxx.159.52
February 28, 2017
I am grateful to be joining the chorus of parents who have written to laud Ray Estefania with the praise he deserves for saving my son’s life. My son was referred to Ray and Family Recovery Specialists by his psychiatrist who believed he was addicted to pain killers, legally prescribed for a chronic, painful condition. The complicated nature of the chronic medical condition and the drug abuse, intertwined with emotional, psychological and educational issues made helping my son immensely difficult. Despite our best efforts, the various medical and mental health professionals in our life were not able to understand what our son needed or where to begin treating him.

When our son first met Ray he was 23 years old and not optimistic that Ray’s plan would work. However, the team of professionals that Ray assembled followed by placement in a Transitional Living Program handpicked by Ray, has given our son the best months of his life since he became ill.

Wishes do come true, prayers are answered and there is hope, no matter what. For my family, Ray Estefania was the one who was able to tease out the issues and deal with each one head on, placing our son on a path of health and happiness.
by A Grateful Parent xxx.xxx.135.43
February 05, 2017
I came to Ray Estefania at a time of extreme fear for my son’s well being and safety; a true crisis for a parent. My thoughts were scattered at best: I was emotionally and physically depleted as a mother. My son’s situation had quickly gone from gridlock to deadlock. All my loving efforts and contingency plans had failed which is what often happens without professional guidance and proper intervention. Ray’s counsel and expertise took over as he guided me with clarity and confidence. His approach, at least initially, was very “no nonsense,” which was long overdue and desperately needed. He was quickly able to assess my son and make determinations that I could no longer make. The problems/ addictions may be similar but each child is unique. Their personality, co-morbid diagnosis, the family dynamics, medical history…that is all deeply personal and extremely specific . Clearly Ray’s professional credentials speak for themselves, more letters, degrees after his name then anyone I know, but beyond that lies Ray’s very individual approach. A combination of his diagnostic skills, wisdom gained thru years in practice and a very keen instinct... I feel fortunate to be a client. Hopeful again.
by Deb xxx.xxx.61.24
August 19, 2016
Ray has been an invaluable advisor, confidant, facilitator and supporter for our family. A year ago, we were in crisis with our daughter who was 17 at the time. Ray stepped in to help our family when we did not know where to turn. He considered all the variables, spoke with all those previously involved with her therapy and helped us make an educated and well thought out decision as to our next steps. We followed his advice, experienced an emotional roller coaster and we knew that Ray was there for us the entire time. Now, a year later, with our daughter having turned 18 that makes decision making complicated without her buying into it, we feel we are in a good spot to move forward as an emotionally healthy and happy family. We would, and have, recommend Ray to any family that was in need of therapeutic guidance and assistance. Thank you, Ray.
by SBR xxx.xxx.99.175
August 11, 2016
TRUST RAY! We wasted a year trying to “fix/solve” our son’s addiction by rescuing and enabling. Our home became his battleground and our family suffered immeasurably. Today, my son is in a treatment center learning the tools for a life of sobriety.

Ray’s knowledge, support and expertise of drug addiction were indispensable in securing my son help. He listened to our concerns and fears and counseled us thru the most difficult heart wrenching decisions. My son refused our help at the intervention. At such a critical moment where emotions were overwhelming, Ray had mentally prepared us for the “what if he says no” next step. We immediately filed the petition for the Marchman Act.

Ray educated us on all the tools we had available to get our son help. His continuous support, counseling and steady guidance allowed us to succeed in getting my son the help he so desperately needed. His involvement did not end with my son entering the treatment center. Three months later, he continues to actively follow my son’s progress and be available to us at all times. We are grateful and thankful to Ray and highly recommend him. TRUST RAY!
by MAC xxx.xxx.4.179
September 15, 2015
My family and I went to Mr. Estefania looking for help for my son's addiction and inability to move forward in his life. Ray helped us understand addiction, the impact on our family and our enabling behaviors. He guided us through the steps needed to get my son help. We are grateful for his advise, professionalism and no-nonsense approach. It is a process and a journey. We are all in this together. Ray has found a program to fit my son's needs. We are hopeful where once there was hopelessness.
by LAL/LAL xxx.xxx.97.246
August 19, 2015
We attended a community event that focused on mental health issues seeking an additional frame of reference on resources available in our community and information on mental health issues that could help our family better manage our son's substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. Raymond Estefania was an expert panelist that evening and his views and comments resonated the overwhelming similarities of the issues are family was dealing with.

Over the years we relied on the guidance of mainstream mental health professionals and were at a loss with the treatment options. My husband and I reached out to Ray for guidance. What we found in Ray was an engaged, thoughtful professional who has thoroughly researched substance abuse and mental health providers, to help us find the right fit for our son and coordinate an intervention. The intervention unfolded in somewhat unusual circumstances and every step of the way, Ray was available to provide us guidance on next steps and coordinated resources to expedite the treatment that was a good match for our son. We are very grateful for Ray's expertise, kindness and no-nonsense manner to develop the right approach in handling this very overwhelming and devastating family crisis. We highly recommend Ray and continue to value his knowledge and guidance.
by Wanda and Rodrigo xxx.xxx.241.130
July 08, 2015
My history with Ray Estefania is a curious one that has come full circle... I started working with Ray over 4 years ago as I desperately searched for someone to help my son... At a time when I was devastated and paralyzed with fear and pain, he was able to guide me through the most heart wrenching and difficult decisions a parent must make with compassion, certainty and a firm and honest hand when necessary....His counsel, expertise and excellent treatment recommendations helped my son recover from a lifestyle that would have undoubtedly landed him in jail or taken his life. He helped me to save my son's life for which I will be forever greatful....

But Ray's work doesn't end with the intervention and treatment of the patient, his services provide help for the entire family by providing counseling, education, after care and coaching. It was during this process where I slowly started to come to grips with the reality that my husband had a substance abuse and alcohol addiction. It took me 1-1/2 years after my sons treatment to deal with my own denial, guilt and anger toward my husband... Truthfully, I minimized the severity of the problem all along because somewhere deep inside, I knew I certainly had something to do with this... This brought me to the next phase in my life where we worked with Ray. Once again, he successfully led us through another difficult and painful journey of recovery. His recommendations of different programs at different stages of my husband's recovery were right on every time.

At the same time that he provided me with incredible support and guidance while my husband was away in treatment, he began to address a central issue in all individuals who live with any type of addictive behavior: codependency, namely, me!! After 30 years of care taking, enabling and rescuing (due to many circumstances in my life), Ray somehow made me comprehend that I too needed help, that I too was "addicted." This was probably one of the most difficult things for me to admit and accept throughout this whole process, but after so many years I was finally ready. For the third time now, Ray helped me to successfully make the best choices for treatment and support that fit my needs and circumstances.

I truly believe one of Ray's "knacks" is how he is able to fit a program with each person's individual needs and personality. His knowledge of addiction and mental health coupled with his familiarity and liaisons with programs across the world, allow him to successfully pair that individual's or family's needs with the precise treatment type and program. What started out as my son's individual journey turned into the 4 year journey of an entire family... Ray helped us to navigate through experiences and circumstances that would tear most families apart. It has been a long, hard, painful process which continues everyday, but the results have been liberating and healing.Today I am blessed to live in a home where there is sobriety, respect, honesty and so much more peace and unity amongst its family members. Thank you Ray, for helping me save my son, my husband and helping me to face my own demons... God did hear my prayers!
by JTR xxx.xxx.128.86
January 03, 2015
Our family's experience with Ray Estefania has been exceptional. When we realized our daughter needed help with depression and multiple addictions, we were flustered and bewildered about where to turn. Ray's treatment methodology, professionalism, and accessibility was a key factor in the process of understanding the disease we are dealing with and in the process of healing for our entire family. He is responsive and understanding, while being firm and committed to being honest about the road to recovery. I feel 100% confident in recommending Ray's services.
by Pamela L xxx.xxx.6.21
December 05, 2014
Being caught up in the realization that your son or daughter has any type of addiction can be a scary and confusing time. During this period of initial turmoil families are in a very vulnerable position and making a clear decision may seem like a daunting task. There is so much information in the internet and so much stigma still attached to these issues that we may not know who to turn to. We went to many doctors,therapists,psychologists, and psychiatrists and even with all those people involved we couldn't get to the heart of the matter.Our family was blessed with a recommendation from a parent whom had succeeded with the help of Raymond Estefania and his team.We found a refuge and a degree of dedication,patience and commitment that I hadn't found in other professionals in this field. Ray's passion and level of involvement assured us that we were in the right place.Addiction is a monster and sometimes we need someone who wears a cape. Thank you for giving us our life back.
by Miriam S. xxx.xxx.150.194
December 03, 2014
Add a Review
Map and Directions
5901 SW 74 Street Suite 201, South Miami, FL 33143
Website http://www.restefania.com/
Primary Specialty

Addiction Counselor

Practice Raymond S. Estefania, MS, LMHC, CAP, CIP, ICADC
Gender Male
Education B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida.

M.S. Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University.

Mr. Estefania has received extensive training and supervision at the University of Miami's Center for Treatment Research in Adolescent Drug Abuse (CTRADA) in the Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy approach to adolescent substance abuse.

Affiliations Mr. Estefania is a member of the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs the Network of Independent Interventionists and the Therapeutic Consulting Association. He is also a former member of the Board of DIrectors for Informed Families, The Florida Family Partnership and a member of the Advisory Board for The Health Information Project, an organization which improves access to healthcare for students.
Certification Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida - MH #8639.

Certified Addiction Professional in Florida - CAP #2051.

Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor - ICRC.

Certified Intervention Professional - Pennsylvania Board