Technology, Screen, and Phone Overuse Therapy in Florida
Feeling trapped by your screen can be exhausting. Many people I work with feel stuck in patterns they don’t fully like or understand, even when they care deeply about making changes.
I’m Joseph Brooks. I work with adults in Gainesville and across Florida who are trying to make sense of their relationship with screens, phones, gaming, or the internet, without shame or pressure.
I offer therapy for screen, phone, and internet overuse in Gainesville and through secure telehealth across Florida.
You might be feeling…
People I work with often describe things like feeling:
Stuck in autopilot.
Scrolling, clicking, or playing without much intention.Hooked in the late hours.
Staying up longer than planned, then waking up foggy.Trapped in guilt.
Knowing it’s not helping, but still reaching for it..Disconnected and lonely.
Wanting real connection, but feeling removed from it.Anxious and Overwhelmed.
Using screens to calm down, then feeling more tense afterward.
If any of this feels familiar, you are not broken. These experiences make sense in a world designed around constant stimulation.
Where to Start
Technology overuse doesn’t look the same for everyone. In my work, people often come in through different doors, depending on what’s been most frustrating or concerning lately.
From here, you’re welcome to explore more focused counseling around things like gaming, porn use, social media, anxiety, or attention difficulties.
Phone, Screen, and Social Media Use
Support with constant scrolling, distraction, and digital overwhelm.
Build more intentional screen habits.
Gaming Overuse
Losing track of time, sleep, or priorities while gaming.
Build healthier balance without giving up what you enjoy.
Porn Addiction Therapy
Feeling stuck in a loop with porn?
Build control, clarity, and confidence.
Anxiety & Overwhelm
Help with racing thoughts, tension, and chronic overload.
Work towards more calm
Noticing ADHD traits or attention difficulties?
Many people with ADHD find screens especially compelling.
→ Learn more about ADHD therapy
No matter which area you’re drawn to, I often see the same underlying pull with technology.
That pull isn’t a personal failure. It’s something worth understanding.
Who you will be working with: About Me
I’ve worked with many adults across Florida who felt overwhelmed by stress, digital habits, or ADHD and wanted a calm, nonjudgmental space to think things through.
My sessions are low pressure, collaborative, and focused on realistic goals, not perfection.
Joseph Brooks, MA, RMHCI
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (IMH28583)
Supervised by Jorelle Degen, LMHC (MH14882)
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
What We Will Work On
I don’t see therapy around technology use as a quick fix. But it can offer tools, perspective, and support that make change feel more doable and less overwhelming.
In my work with adults, we often focus on things like:
More clarity instead of scattered thoughts
More control over attention and habits
More understanding of why things felt so hard in the first place
How Therapy Works
When I work with people around technology and screen use, I try to make therapy feel supportive rather than overwhelming. You don’t need a clear goal or the right words to get started.
What you can expect from this work:
Supportive and collaborative
A calm space to talk things through at your own pace.Not about willpower or quitting everything
We focus on understanding patterns, not forcing rules or rigid limits.Flexible and realistic
Any changes we explore are shaped around your life and how your brain works.Judgment-free
You don’t need to explain or justify your habits. We focus on understanding, not fixing you.
If you’re curious about changing your relationship with technology, you’re welcome to reach out. I offer in-person sessions in Gainesville and telehealth therapy throughout Florida.
There’s no pressure to have it all figured out before starting.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and $80 per session.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. This work isn’t about forcing you to quit technology or follow strict rules. We focus on understanding what your screen use is doing for you and exploring changes that feel realistic and supportive.
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No. Many people struggle with screen use without identifying as addicted. Therapy can still help you understand patterns, reduce overwhelm, and feel more in control of your attention and time.
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That’s very common. Therapy doesn’t take coping tools away before you have alternatives. We look at what screens are helping with and work toward steadier ways to meet those same needs.
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Not necessarily. The length of therapy varies from person to person. Some people come for short-term support around specific concerns, while others choose to stay longer as they work through patterns more gradually. We can check in along the way and adjust based on what feels helpful.
You’re Not Broken: Your Device Is Designed to Pull You In
In sessions, I often spend time helping people understand why the pull of technology feels so strong in the first place.
Many apps, games, and sites use design features similar to gambling reward loops, like bright colors, unpredictable rewards, and infinite scroll. You were never meant to rely on willpower alone against that.
These platforms are intentionally designed to keep your attention by learning what draws you back.
Struggling with something built to be compelling doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.
Therapy can help you understand why the pull feels so strong and learn ways to notice and interrupt it without blame.
Learning More at Your Own Pace
Some people like to read a bit more before deciding. These pages often help with clarity:
Reducing Phone Use Without Going Cold Turkey ->
Small, realistic ways to change habits without quitting everything.Signs of Screen Addiction and Phone Overuse ->
A non-diagnostic look at common patterns people notice when use starts to feel automatic.How Phone and Screen Use Can Increase Anxiety ->
Why screens can feel calming in the moment but worsen anxiety over time.
If you’d rather talk this through than read, you’re always welcome to reach out and schedule a session.