What I do:
Social Investigation (Custody Evaluation)
Forensic Clinical Evaluation for Immigration
Individual Therapy with a Systemic Lens
Couples Therapy for Multicultural Relationships
Qualified Supervision for MFT & MHC Interns in Florida
Anna Schafer Edwards, LMFT, MBA, is a licensed therapist in Florida and Arizona, offering professional support for individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in clinical evaluations for immigration and custody cases, multicultural couples therapy, and qualified supervision for mental health interns. With a systemic and compassionate approach, Anna provides services in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Insurance options available.
Social Investigation (Custody Evaluation)
The child custody evaluation aims to determine the best interests of the child, emphasizing that the child’s welfare is the foremost consideration. It examines parenting skills, the children’s needs, and how well these align.
My objective is to frame the evaluation findings within relevant theories and incorporate scientific data to aid the court in understanding what serves the child’s best interests. I work to inform the court on matters of cultural sensitivity, child development, best practices, and advancements in the theoretical understanding of human behavior concerning families and parenting.
“Parent-child fit” signifies the connection between a parent’s traits, strengths, and weaknesses, and a child’s developmental, emotional, physical, and psychological requirements. I evaluate these needs by observing the children, analyzing parent-child interactions, conducting developmentally appropriate interviews, reviewing records, and performing collateral interviews. I conduct social investigation primarily in Florida’s 17th and 15th districts.
Member of AFCC – Association of Family & Conciliation Courts – Florida Chapter.
Forensic Clinical Evaluation for Immigration
Entrevistas en Español para su Reporte
Entrevistas em Português para seu Laudo
I provide comprehensive forensic clinical assessments for individuals involved in immigration proceedings. Forensic immigration evaluations are often used to provide supporting documentation for various immigration cases, including:
- Hardship Waivers (I-601 / I-601A): Evaluating the emotional and psychological hardship that a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident would face if separated from the applicant.
- VAWA (Violence Against Women Act): Documenting psychological effects of domestic abuse and trauma.
- Asylum and Refugee Claims: Assessing the psychological impact of past trauma or persecution.
- U Visas / T Visas: Assessing trauma experienced as a result of qualifying criminal activity or human trafficking.
- Cancellation of Removal: Evaluating the impact of deportation on U.S. citizen or permanent resident family members.
What the Evaluation Includes:
- Clinical interview with the individual and, if applicable, family members
- Review of relevant records (e.g., medical, legal, psychological, academic)
- Standardized psychological testing, when appropriate
- Detailed written report tailored to legal standards and the specific type of immigration relief sought
- Collaboration with the client’s attorney or legal representative as needed
All evaluations are conducted with the highest level of professional integrity and in accordance with the ethical guidelines of my license. Reports are objective, evidence-based, and written to meet court and immigration requirements.
Individual Therapy with a Systemic Lens
Understanding you in the context of your world
In individual therapy, you’re not just seen as a collection of symptoms or problems—you’re seen as a whole person, shaped by your relationships, experiences, culture, and environment. My approach to therapy is grounded in systemic therapy, which means we explore how the patterns in your life—past and present—are connected to the people and systems around you.
Maybe you’re feeling stuck in relationships, facing a transition, struggling with anxiety or self-worth, or just trying to make sense of things. Systemic therapy helps us look at how these challenges are influenced by the dynamics you’ve lived in—and how you can start to shift them with awareness, intention, and support.
Together, we might explore:
- Relationship patterns (past or current) that impact your well-being
- Family dynamics and cultural expectations
- Your role in different systems (family, work, community)
- How to create change without losing yourself
- Boundaries, identity, and personal agency
Therapy is a collaborative space. I’ll walk alongside you with curiosity, care, and respect—helping you make meaning of your experiences, build on your strengths, and move toward the life you want.
Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or just someone to talk to who gets the big picture, I’m here.
Let’s start from where you are.
Couples Therapy for Multicultural Relationships
Helping intercultural couples build connection, trust, and shared meaning across differences
Relationships can be beautiful, messy, and deeply complex—especially when they bring together different cultures, languages, values, or life experiences. As a couples therapist who specializes in working with multicultural, multilingual, and cross-cultural couples, I provide a supportive space to help you and your partner reconnect, grow, and navigate your unique dynamics with compassion and clarity.
Whether you’re dealing with communication struggles, life transitions, cultural misunderstandings, parenting differences, or just feeling distant, therapy can help you feel more understood and more connected.
My approach is rooted in systemic and emotionally focused therapy, and I’m especially attuned to how culture, identity, family expectations, and power dynamics shape your relationships.
In our work together, we can explore:
- Communication patterns and emotional safety
- Navigating cultural or religious differences
- Boundaries with extended family and cultural traditions
- Shifts in intimacy, trust, or connection
- Identity, language, and belonging within the relationship
I offer therapy in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and I welcome couples of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and relationship structures.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, wanting to reconnect, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of one another, I’d be honored to support your journey.
Let’s create space for both of your voices—and cultures—to be heard.
Qualified Supervision for MFT & MHC Interns in Florida
(Supervisión también disponible en español y português)
If you’re a registered intern in Florida working toward your LMFT or LMHC license, I offer qualified supervision that’s supportive, down-to-earth, and focused on helping you grow—both professionally and personally.
As a Florida-approved Qualified Supervisor, I work with both Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling interns. Whether you’re just starting out or well into your clinical hours, I’m here to help you build confidence, sharpen your skills, and feel ready for licensure.
In our supervision, we’ll cover things like:
- Clinical case consultation and treatment planning
- Ethics, boundaries, and handling real-world challenges
- Your theoretical approach and how it shapes your work
- Documentation, licensure prep, and long-term career goals
I offer individual and group supervision—virtually or in person (depending on location)—and everything is aligned with Florida Board requirements.
I also provide supervision in Spanish and Portuguese for bilingual clinicians or those who prefer to work in their native language:
- Español: Supervisión clínica para practicantes de salud mental y terapia familiar
- Português: Supervisão clínica para estagiários de saúde mental e terapia de casal e família
If you’re looking for a supervisor who’s approachable, organized, and invested in your growth—not just checking boxes—let’s chat. I’d love to hear more about your goals and how I can support you on your path to licensure.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule an intro call.
Looking forward to connecting!
Languages
Services offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese
Welcome!
My name is Anna Schäfer Edwards. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Florida (License # MT 4128) and Arizona (License # LMFT-16272) and I provide forensic evaluations for Family and Immigration Law as well as therapy services to adults and couples. I am a qualified supervisor in Florida. I hold a Masters Degree in Family Therapy and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. I have spent more than 20 years in the business sector. I enjoy working with professionals and executives when providing individual or couples therapy.
As an evaluator, my written reports strive to convey findings in a manner that is clear, concise, accurate, and objective. My reports are unbiased, and critical to clients’ cases. I am mindful of the weight that may be placed on my report, so I set a high standard for the quality and organization of the narrative.
Child custody evaluations lie at the intersection of forensic psychology, requiring expertise in assessing children, adults, and families. I recognize the importance of utilizing evidence-based frameworks when appropriate. Immigration evaluations are written based on my extensive work with individuals suffering from trauma, abuse, and family separation dynamics. My interviews can be in Spanish or Portuguese for the client’s convenience.
Evaluations profoundly influence lives and are subject to public scrutiny and trust. I strive to function as a fair and impartial evaluator. I hope to earn your confidence in addressing your needs or the needs of your client.
I see clients online as well as in my office in Cooper City at the Counseling and Wellness Center of South Florida (CWCSF.com). Check out my directory profile and pictures of my office here .
Welcome!
My name is Anna Schäfer Edwards. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Florida (License # MT 4128) and Arizona (License # LMFT-16272) and I provide forensic evaluations for Family and Immigration Law as well as therapy services to adults and couples. I am a qualified supervisor in Florida. I hold a Masters Degree in Family Therapy and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. I have spent more than 20 years in the business sector. I enjoy working with professionals and executives when providing individual or couples therapy.
As an evaluator, my written reports strive to convey findings in a manner that is clear, concise, accurate, and objective. My reports are unbiased, and critical to clients’ cases. I am mindful of the weight that may be placed on my report, so I set a high standard for the quality and organization of the narrative.
Child custody evaluations lie at the intersection of forensic psychology, requiring expertise in assessing children, adults, and families. I recognize the importance of utilizing evidence-based frameworks when appropriate. Immigration evaluations are written based on my extensive work with individuals suffering from trauma, abuse, and family separation dynamics. My interviews can be in Spanish or Portuguese for the client’s convenience.
Evaluations profoundly influence lives and are subject to public scrutiny and trust. I strive to function as a fair and impartial evaluator. I hope to earn your confidence in addressing your needs or the needs of your client.
I see clients online as well as in my office in Cooper City at the Counseling and Wellness Center of South Florida (CWCSF.com). Check out my directory profile and pictures of my office here