- Codependency support
- Expressive arts
- Attachment focus
About Peggy
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than two decades of practice. She focuses on everyday struggles like stress, anxiety, relationships, depression, parenting strain, sleep trouble, and codependency. Serena approaches people with warmth and plain language so they can find practical ways to feel better.
Serena blends talk therapy with creative methods. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at close relationships and patterns. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help change unhelpful thoughts and dialectical behavior therapy skills for strong emotions. She brings together these methods with expressive arts and spiritual coaching when clients want that option.
Her background spans inpatient and community settings as well as private practice. She worked for county and state mental health and substance abuse services before opening a private practice in 2006. She has run programs for youth and taught movement practices such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
Serena holds a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Capital University, graduating summa cum laude. She is licensed in Florida as an LCSW and has additional certifications in Rational Hypnotherapy, Gottman couple work, and spiritual life coaching.
Sessions can include creative activities, movement-based approaches, guided imagery or traditional talk therapy depending on needs. She aims to help people name what matters, try small changes, and build habits that support lasting improvement.
Therapeutic approaches and how they help online
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds shape current relationships and patterns. Online sessions using this perspective can help people notice repeating dynamics and try different ways of connecting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers practical tools to reduce anxiety, depression, and unhelpful habits. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to manage overwhelming feelings and improve coping.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to understand your goals and try approaches that fit your needs and preferences. Clients often try a mix of methods and adjust as they learn what helps most.
The original biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also makes it possible to continue skill practice between sessions and to bring material from daily life into discussion.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, depression, parenting strains, sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar challenges, ADHD, and codependency among other concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach?
Her style mixes talk therapy with creative tools. She uses attachment ideas, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical skills, Gottman couple approaches, and expressive arts when helpful.
What kind of experience does she bring?
She has 21 years of clinical experience and earlier work at county and state mental health and substance abuse agencies, plus years in private practice working with youth and adults.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - licensed in Florida and practices from Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Which languages are supported and are international sessions available?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify current session formats; please confirm available formats when you schedule to be sure they meet your needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.