Top-Rated Therapist in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Counseling for Adults, children, teens, couples, and families.
Why Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota Trust It Begins Within
Expert Mental Health Therapy
Congratulations on making it this far. Seeking out support for managing mental health challenges is often the hardest step in the journey to improving your mental health.
Clients come to us with questions like:
How do I get my life under control?
Will I ever not feel this way?
How long will it take until I feel like I used to?
Why can’t I relax, even when life is going well?
Why are we arguing so much lately?
Life can be hard. It Begins Within Healing Center (IBWHC) exists to help you heal from a painful past, cope with a difficult present, and instill hope for the future.
You don’t need to wait until your life is falling apart to receive help. Everyone needs therapy at any given season of their life. Seeking outside help does not mean you’re weak. In fact, it proves your courage and commitment to living life to the fullest. Begin your journey with emotional healing therapy at one of our convenient locations across Central & Southwest Florida.
“It Begins Within is on a mission to provide quality mental health counseling services for individuals, couples, and families in need to heal from the past, transform the present, and instill hope for the future.”
Healing Relationships Through Couples Therapy, Premarital Therapy & Marriage Counseling in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Healthy relationships take work, and sometimes, a little guidance from trained experts . At It Begins Within, our couples therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota, we help couples gain an understanding of the patterns that are causing friction, improve communication, and ultimately improve their connection. Whether you are seeking to rebuild trust, heal from past wounds, or regain the “spark” you once had - our couples therapists are here to help navigate these challenges together.
If you are seeking in person couples therapy, we often are able to offer same-day and next day appointments in our Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota locations.
If you are seeking more rapid healing, we invite you to learn about our couples and marriage intensive counseling services
Our couples intimacy therapy and sex therapy services help couples reconnect emotionally, rebuild trust, and overcome challenges like mismatched libidos, communication breakdowns, and long stretches without physical closeness. Our licensed relationship therapists support couples in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota with evidence-based, judgment-free counseling that addresses both the emotional and physical sides of intimacy. Whether you’re navigating desire differences, recovering after infidelity, or simply wanting to feel close again, our team offers specialized guidance to help you create a healthier, more fulfilling connection.
Learn More About Our Couples & Relationship Counseling
Finding the right therapist in Tampa can feel overwhelming, especially when at the times when you need it most. At It Begins Within, our licensed Tampa therapists provide expert, evidence-based therapy for individuals, children, teens, couples, and families seeking real clarity and support.
We offer therapy in Tampa for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, life transitions, and relationship counseling. For couples, we provide couples therapy and relationship counseling, helping partners improve communication, rebuild trust, and navigate conflict in a structured, supportive environment.
Our Tampa therapy office serves clients throughout South Tampa, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Westchase, Carrollwood, New Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, and nearby communities. Whether you’re searching for therapy near you, in-person couples therapy, or a trusted therapist office near you, our team is here to help.
Meet a Few of Our Licensed Tampa Therapists
Experienced clinicians providing evidence-based therapy for individuals, couples, children, and families in Tampa
Emma Groskind, MS, LCSW
Specializes in EMDR, EMDR Couples therapy, anxiety, and trauma recovery
Alex Castañeda, LMHC
Alex provides EMDR therapy, trauma therapy, couples counseling, and porn addiction recovery
Brianna Garcia, LMHC
Brianna is a child and teen therapist who utilizes play therapy and CBT to support emotional regulation & healthy development
Dr. Mary Perleoni, LMHC
Founder and clinical director specializing in couples therapy, infidelity recovery, and complex relationship dynamics
For many of our clients, finding a therapist in St. Petersburg often comes at a moment when stress, anxiety, or relationship challenges start feeling harder to manage alone. At It Begins Within, our licensed therapists in St. Petersburg offer a calm, grounded space where individuals, couples, and families can slow things down, make sense of what’s happening, and begin moving forward with clarity.
We provide therapy in St. Petersburg for concerns such as anxiety, OCD, trauma, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Our clinicians also specialize in relationship counseling and couples therapy in St. Petersburg, supporting partners who want to improve communication, repair trust, and navigate conflict in a way that feels constructive and respectful. Care is always tailored to your goals, pace, and lived experience.
Our St. Petersburg therapy office serves clients throughout Downtown St. Pete, Old Northeast, Crescent Lake, Kenwood, Snell Isle, Shore Acres, and surrounding Pinellas County communities. Whether you’re searching for therapy near you, a trusted therapist office in St. Petersburg, or in-person couples therapy, our team is here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Looking for a therapist in Sarasota often means you’re navigating more than just stress—it may involve relationship strain, anxiety, life transitions, or feeling emotionally stuck despite outward success. At It Begins Within Healing Center, our licensed Sarasota therapists provide thoughtful, evidence-based therapy in a setting designed to feel steady, supportive, and genuinely human.
We offer therapy in Sarasota for adults, couples, and families facing anxiety, OCD, trauma, burnout, and major life changes. For partners seeking deeper connection, our clinicians provide relationship counseling and couples therapy in Sarasota, helping couples strengthen communication, work through conflict, and rebuild trust in a way that fits their real lives—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our Sarasota therapy office serves clients across Downtown Sarasota, Southside Village, Laurel Park, Gulf Gate, Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, and surrounding communities. Whether you’re searching for therapy near you, a reliable therapist office in Sarasota, or in-person couples therapy, our team is here to support your next step forward.
We are here to help
Different points of life can present unique challenges for you, your relationships, or your family. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation to talk about your source of distress, understand your needs, and get you scheduled with one of our Tampa counselors.
We're here for YOU
IBWHC works with individuals, families, couples, children, and adolescents in the Tampa Bay & St. Petersburg area who are struggling with anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, life transitions, grief, trauma, and infidelity.
Why Clients Choose It Begins Within Therapy
Our clients often come to us with broad, overall unhappiness and disruption in their lives from either past experiences that they are still holding onto or current circumstances that are impacting their daily functioning, or a combination of both. Through research-based therapeutic approaches, we help our clients understand themselves, reach an acceptance of past life circumstances, and instill growth from the experience.
Through evidence-based therapeutic approaches, we help our clients understand themselves, accept what has happened, and grow from the experience.
Our St. Petersburg, Sarasota & Tampa therapists have specialized training in working with trauma. Trauma affects all individuals, couples included (especially when infidelity is a source of the trauma). An individual’s past trauma can also affect the couple when brought into the relationship. Our approach encourages consistent, uninterrupted therapy sessions that pave the way for healing from trauma-induced experiences.
Expert Counseling in Tampa & Beyond
At It Begins Within Therapy, we focus on providing research-based counseling services for individuals seeking relief from a range of mental health challenges. Our trauma-informed therapists are trained in leading psychotherapy approaches that facilitate healing, growth and improvement in overall wellbeing.
The MISSION of our practice
To provide support and therapeutic mental health care for our clients: a seamless process where clients feel like their needs are being met from the very beginning of their therapeutic journey.
For this reason, we do not work with insurance companies, who often limit the amount and type of treatment for mental health therapy. By not accepting insurance we are able to keep our caseload small so that our current patients get the attention and care they need.
We are a team of skilled psychotherapists and mental health professionals in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
What Should I Expect in Therapy Services at IBW?
It Begins Within Therapy provides consistent mental health treatment where a highly qualified therapist is committed to your healing.
Dr. Mary Perleoni is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and owner of IBWHC. Mary and our team of skilled therapists work with individuals, couples, families, children, and teens who are struggling with mental health or relational issues. Learn more about our counseling in Tampa, FL.
The goal of IBWHC is to help people heal from past traumas, navigate through presenting struggles, and feel hope for their future by providing research-based mental health counseling services.
Our aim is for each of our clients to feel empowered to obtain happiness and inner peace.
Finding the right balance of therapy and medication can make a powerful difference in your mental health journey. At It Begins Within, our licensed psychiatric providers offer compassionate, evidence-based medication management for adults, teens, and children.
Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, or mood disorders, our team provides:
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations to understand your unique needs
Personalized treatment plans that may include medication alongside therapy
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure safety and effectiveness
Collaborative care with your therapist for whole-person healing
Our psychiatric specialists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota work closely with you to find the right path forward — restoring balance, improving daily functioning, and helping you move toward the future you want.
Call today to schedule a medication management consultation.
Psychiatric Provider in Florida
Stanton Hugger, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Stanton is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Advanced Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN-AP) in the state of Florida.
Virtual & In-Person Therapy
In Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota we know life can feel relentlessly demanding, from high-pressure careers, family responsibilities, packed schedules, and the quiet expectation to hold everything together. At It Begins Within Therapy, our Tampa-based clinicians provide evidence-based, personalized therapy for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, grief, and relationship stress.
We work with professionals, parents, students, and high-achievers who want more than symptom management, they want clarity, emotional resilience, and meaningful change. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your relationship, or your family, our Tampa therapists offer grounded, compassionate care tailored to the realities of life here.
Therapy for Children & Teens
Growing up today comes with real emotional pressure, from academic expectations, social dynamics, social media, and the challenge of learning how to manage big feelings. At It Begins Within Therapy, our clinicians specialize in helping children and teens build emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience through developmentally appropriate, evidence-based care.
We support kids and adolescents navigating anxiety, ADHD, behavior challenges, emotional outbursts, trauma, friendship struggles, and school-related stress. Our approach balances compassion with evidence-based modalities, helping young people feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow, all while giving parents clear guidance and support along the way. Each service below reflects the most common needs we see in children and teens, offering a thoughtful path toward healthier coping skills, stronger self-esteem, and more peaceful daily life.
Get the help you deserve today
If your seeking the best therapist in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Sarasota, we invite you to contact us or call to set up a free consultation.