Dr. Bethany R. Russell, Ph.D., LMHC, RPT, NCC

Dr. Bethany R. Russell is a licensed mental health counselor, registered play therapist, and nationally certified counselor with extensive experience in private practice, counselor education, and clinical research. She is the founder of a successful virtual-only private counseling practice in Florida and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University.  She was selected as a Perplexity Business Fellow for 2025.

With a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Central Florida, Dr. Russell has dedicated her career to advancing the field of mental health through teaching, clinical supervision, and research. She has presented at national and international conferences and published research on counseling best practices, play therapy, and private practice development.

Passionate about empowering counselors to build sustainable businesses, Dr. Russell combines real-world experience with academic expertise to provide practical, actionable guidance for those looking to establish and grow their private practice.