Top-Rated Therapist in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Counseling for individuals, children, couples, and families.
Why Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota Trust IBW With Their Healing Journey
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.”
Meet Our Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota Therapists
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![Headshot of Dr. Mary Perleoni, LMHC, NCC, Trauma & Marriage Therapist in Tampa & St. Petersburg]()
Dr. Mary Perleoni, LMHC
About: Founder of IBWHC, Dr. Perleoni is a tampa therapist specializing in trauma and marriage counseling. Mary is trained in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy and Trauma‑Focused CBT. View full profile.
Population focus: High achieving individuals & parents, high-conflict relationships, infidelity and affair recovery, and IVF therapy.
Location: Tampa & St. Petersburg
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![Melissa Zentner, dedicated Tampa therapist offering family therapy and child counseling in Tampa FL]()
Melissa Zentner, MS, LMHC
About: Melissa is a licensed St. Petersburg therapist with over 12 years of experience providing therapy services for adolescents and adults. She specializes in anxiety, impulse control, and stress management. Melissa is also certified in TF-CBT and trained in: the Neurosequential Model, Gottman Method for couples therapy and sex therapy. She provides in-home services, school-based therapy, trauma assessments for court. View full profile.
Population Focus: Court involved family therapy, couples sex therapy, sports performance therapy, and childhood trauma
Location: St. Petersburg
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![Headshot of Nicole Young, a licensed child therapist in sarasota florida]()
Nicole Young, MSW, LCSW
About: Nicole is a licensed clinical social worker who provides counseling for children, teens, and families across Sarasota. She blends CBT, solution-focused strategies, and mindfulness to help young people navigate anxiety, emotional regulation, confidence, school-related stress, and family transitions.
Population Focus: Children, teens, preteens, families, anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioral concerns, confidence-building, school stress, family transitions.
Location: Sarasota
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![Headshot of Julia Loewi, Sarasota therapist at It Begins Within who helps teens, adults and relationships with anxiety, stress, and life transitions counseling]()
Julia Loewi, MSW, LCSW
About: Julia is a licensed Sarasota therapist who supports teens, adults and couples navigating anxiety, life transitions and relationship challenges. She combines warm, straightforward conversation with practical tools so clients can manage stress, set boundaries, and feel more grounded in their daily lives. Julia is especially passionate about helping high-achieving professionals. View full profile.
Population Focus: Anxiety and stress in high-achieving adults, perfectionism, life transitions
Location: Sarasota
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![Headshot of Chelsea Walker, LMFT, Sarasota marriage therapist at It Begins Within specializing in relationship counseling and life transitions.]()
Chelsea Walker, MA, LMFT
About: Chelsea is a Marriage and Family Therapist who creates a calm, compassionate space for individuals, couples, and families to heal and grow. Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy, solution-focused work, and Gottman-informed couples therapy, she helps clients understand patterns, rebuild connection, and communicate more effectively. View full profile.
Population Focus: Couples navigating communication and trust issues, women seeking empowerment and clarity, and adults processing grief, loss, and major life transitions.
Location: Sarasota
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![Kelly Morrissey, qualified Tampa therapist specializing in couples therapy and addiction counseling in Tampa FL]()
Kelly Morrissey, MA, LMHC, LMFT
About: Kelly is a licensed Tampa marriage therapist and provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families in Tampa Bay. She uses client-centered and collaborative approaches like CBT and Lifespan Integration Therapy for trauma processing, coping strategies, communication, and connection. View full profile.
Population Focus: Individuals, couples, families, addiction, career burnout, relationship issues, self-esteem, life transitions, and perfectionism
Location: Tampa
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![Ciana Nguyen, licensed Tampa therapist offering family therapy and trauma counseling in Tampa & Sarasota, FL]()
Ciana Nguyen, MS, LCSW
About: Ciana is a licensed therapist specializing in counseling for children, teens, adults, and families in Tampa & Sarasota. She supports clients coping with anxiety disorders, chronic pain, PTSD, adjustment disorders, complex trauma, and relational difficulties. She is trained in CBT, CBT for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), Motivational Interviewing, Pain Neuroscience Education, and play therapy. View full profile.
Population Focus: Children, teens, adults, military families & veterans, anxiety disorders, depression therapy in Tampa, PTSD, grief, chronic pain
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![Jessica Klein, compassionate Tampa therapist for couples therapy and child counseling in Tampa FL]()
Jessica Klein, MA, LMHC
About: Jessica is a licensed therapist providing mental health counseling for couples, and adults in St. Petersburg FL. She is trained in: CBT, narrative therapy, inner-child work, attachment-based approaches, and the Gottman Method. Jessica helps clients address life transitions, interpersonal challenges, and gain self-understanding. Her strength-based philosophy creates safe spaces for growth in private and community settings. View full profile.
Population Focus: Couples, adults, life transitions, interpersonal challenges, self-understanding
Location: St. Petersburg
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![Kaitlyn Shelp, skilled Tampa therapist providing couples therapy and infidelity counseling in Tampa FL]()
Kaitlyn Shelp, MA, LMHC-QS
About: Kaitlyn is a licensed Tampa therapist and clinical director at IBW, offering specialized therapy for trauma and relationship counseling. With a passion for healing after infidelity, she tailors treatments using Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART), and Gottman Method to provide relief and lasting change. Kaitlyn has over a decade of experience and her trauma-informed, strength-based approach makes her ideal for couples therapy in Tampa FL . View full profile.
Population Focus: Infidelity recovery, marriage therapy
Location: Tampa & St. Petersburg
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![Licensed Tampa therapist Tyler MacDonald specializing in anxiety and men’s counseling]()
Tyler MacDonald, MA, LMHC
About: Tyler is a licensed mental health therapist and performance-focused therapist specializing in men’s mental health and professional burnout. Serving clients in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the Tampa Bay area, Tyler works with adults navigating high-pressure careers, relationship challenges, anxiety, and life transitions. His approach blends evidence-based and solution-focused coaching. Tyler focuses on working work with executives, physicians, and entrepreneurs. View full profile.
Population Focus: Mens Therapy, Couples
Location: St. Petersburg & Tampa
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![Amanda Farris, dynamic Tampa therapist offering trauma and couples therapy in Tampa FL]()
Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW
About: Amanda is a licensed St. Petersburg therapist providing therapy services for adults and couples. She utilizes dynamic approaches like attachment-focused EMDR, ACT, DBT, and mindfulness/yoga to addresses trauma, grief, anxiety, self-harm, and risky behaviors. Amanda is passionate about couples therapy for communication, intimacy, boundaries, and trust in all relationship structures. View full profile.
Population Focus: Adolescents, adults, families, trauma, depression, anxiety, couples intensive therapy
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
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![Lauren Pankuch, expert Tampa therapist in child therapy and family counseling in Tampa FL]()
Lauren Pankuch, MA, LMHC
About: Lauren provides Tampa therapy in a non-judgmental, client-centered approach for children, adolescents, parents, and individuals. She is passionate about child therapy, and uses strength-based, trauma-informed methods like Play Therapy, Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), and TF-CBT to promote emotional growth. View full profile.
Population Focus: Children, adolescents, parents, childhood trauma, behavioral issues, neurodivergence
Location: Tampa
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![Emma Groskind, trauma-informed Tampa therapist offering depression and anxiety therapy in Tampa FL]()
Emma Groskind, MS, LCSW
About: Emma is a licensed Tampa therapist specializing in mental health therapy services for trauma, grief counseling, depression therapy in Tampa, and anxiety. She is certified in TF-CBT, trained in CBT, EMDR, and creates a safe, non-judgmental space for her clients. View full profile.
Population Focus: Adolescents, adults, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity, interpersonal relationships
Location: Tampa
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![Ashley Canto, trauma-focused St. Petersburg therapist for child therapy and family counseling in Tampa FL]()
Ashley Canto, MS, LCSW
About: Ashley provides therapy in St. Petersburg for children, adolescents, and teens. She specializes in trauma therapy, anxiety therapy, emotional dysregulation, and life transitions. Ashley uses warm, collaborative, evidence-based practices like TF-CBT, CPT, PMT, EFT, Motivational Interviewing, and Play Therapy. View full profile.
Population Focus: Children, adolescents, teens, adults, trauma, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, life transitions, family dynamics, behavioral concerns
Location: Saint Petersburg, Fl
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![Megan Midura, child-focused Tampa therapist for family therapy and trauma counseling in St. Petesburg, Florida]()
Megan Midura, MA, LMHC
About: Megan is a licensed clinician in St. Pete specializing in counseling for children and families. She uses collaborative approaches like TF-CBT, DBT, PCIT, and Trauma-Focused Play Therapy for crisis stabilization, addressing risky behaviors & school concerns, as well as parent coaching. Megan emphasizes caregiver involvement for diagnoses like ADHD, ODD, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. View full profile.
Population Focus: Children, families, early childhood to young adulthood, crisis stabilization, risky behaviors, parenting
Location: St. Petersburg & Clearwater
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![Annie Mowbray, caring Tampa therapist intern specializing in trauma and life transition counseling in Tampa FL]()
Annie Mowbray, BA, Registered Intern
About: Annie is a pre-licensed therapist offering compassionate mental health therapy services in Tampa for individuals navigating life transitions, seeking trauma therapy, and supporting relationship trauma. She utilizes a person-centered approach and creates a safe, non-judgmental space tailored to clients’ unique experiences and goals. View full profile.
Population Focus: Individuals, trauma therapy, life transitions, depression therapy Tampa, anxiety, chronic illness
Location: Tampa
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![Samantha Kindler, skilled Tampa therapist specializing in couples therapy and trauma counseling in Tampa FL]()
Samantha Kindler, MA, RMHCI
About: Samantha is a compassionate Tampa therapist providing counseling services for individuals, couples, and families. She utilizes a relational, strengths-based approach paired with Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Sam helps clients navigate anxiety, trauma therapy, betrayal, and relationship counseling in Tampa. View full profile.
Population Focus: Individuals, couples, families, anxiety, trauma therapy, betrayal, relational conflict
Location: Tampa Bay
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![Smiling woman with long blond hair standing in front of a white brick wall, wearing a navy blue t-shirt, layered necklaces, and has tattoos of butterflies on her arm.]()
Genevieve Savage, MSW, RCSWI
About: Genevieve provides counseling for children, teens, young adults, families, and LGBTQ+ individuals across Tampa & St. Petersburg. She uses a supportive, strengths-based approach, and helps clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and family stressors. Genevieve is passionate about using art-based activities like drawing, painting, and games to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel understood and empowered to grow.
Population Focus: Children, teens, young adults, families, LGBTQ+, anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism.
Location: St. Petersburg
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
Sex Therapy & Couples Intimacy Counseling
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.
Finding the right therapist in Tampa can feel overwhelming—especially when anxiety, relationship stress, or intrusive thoughts start interfering with daily life. At It Begins Within, our licensed Tampa therapists provide thoughtful, 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, OCD, trauma, life transitions, and relationship counseling. For couples, we provide couples therapy and relationship counseling in Tampa, 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.
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 St. Petersburg therapists 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 Come to It Begins Within
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 St. Petersburg, Tampa & Sarasota
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.
OUR THERAPY APPROACHES
EMDR Therapy Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples & Relationship Therapy
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 Healing Center 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.
Virtual & In-Person Therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
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Manage and reduce anxiety symptoms through our targeted anxiety therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota tailored to your unique needs for a calmer, more balanced life.
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Heal from past traumas with our trauma-focused therapy in Tampa, Sarasota & St. Petersburg employing evidence-based methods to help you process and overcome distressing experiences.
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Navigate the complexities of loss with our supportive grief counseling at our mental health facilities in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota. Get the help you deserve with counseling in Tampa.
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Improve focus and manage symptoms with our specialized ADHD therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota for adults.
We also offer specialized child and teen focused adhd treatment across Florida.
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Address obsessive-compulsive behaviors with mental health services and our OCD therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Florida.
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Strengthen your relationship with our Tampa couples therapy, designed to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and deepen your connection.
We also offer relationship and couples therapy in Sarasota & St. Petersburg
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Rebuild trust and heal your relationship after infidelity with our dedicated infidelity counseling in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, supporting couples toward recovery.
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Our premarital counseling helps teach Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota couples the foundational elements of a strong and lasting relationship, including communication, conflict resolution, and shared goals.
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Our Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota child therapists utilize play as a therapeutic tool in order to help children express emotions and resolve psychological challenges and trauma.
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Strengthen your relationship with expert and licensed marriage therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota. Our marriage counselors use leading approaches such as the Gottman Method, EFT and Image Therapy to help couples improve communication, deepen their connection, and reignite intimacy.
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Support your child's emotional and behavioral development with our specialized child therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota. Our skilled clinicians are trained in leading approaches including play therapy, parent child interaction therapy, and behavioral therapy.
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Our compassionate Tampa, Sarasota & St. Petersburg therapists specialize in self-esteem therapy, using personalized approaches to help you challenge negative beliefs, build self-compassion, and rediscover your worth.
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Teen counseling provides a safe, judgment-free space for adolescents to explore emotions, build confidence, and develop real-world coping skills. Our teen therapy specialists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota help with anxiety, depression, school stress, social challenges, self-esteem, ADHD, and family conflict using evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT-A, and mindfulness. We balance teen privacy with healthy parent involvement, ensuring your child feels supported while you stay informed. Therapy helps teens understand themselves, navigate big feelings, and move toward a healthier, more grounded future.
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Postpartum therapy offers specialized emotional support for mothers navigating the intense physical, hormonal, and identity changes that follow childbirth. Our Postpartum therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota help women work through postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, overwhelm, intrusive thoughts, and the stress of adjusting to life with a new baby. We provide a compassionate space to process how you're feeling, strengthen your coping skills, and rebuild confidence during this vulnerable season. Whether you're struggling silently or simply need support as you transition into motherhood, our women’s therapy team is here to help you feel grounded, connected, and understood.
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.