Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer, LCSW

Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer prefers to be called Serena and brings a warm, holistic approach to clinical social work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Saint Petersburg, Florida, and offers therapy for children ages 3 and up, adults, couples, and families. With more than two decades of experience across residential treatment centers, county and state mental health and substance abuse systems, and private practice, she integrates clinical training, creative modalities, and intuition to support meaningful change.

Serena earned a Bachelor of Social Work summa cum laude from Capital University and a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University. In Florida she maintains licensure as an LCSW and holds certifications in Rational Hypnotherapy, Gottman Couple's Counseling, and Spiritual Life Coaching. As an ordained metaphysical New Thought minister and certified Spiritual Life Coach, she often supports clients who wish to explore values, spirituality, and faith as part of their healing.

Her practice weaves expressive arts, play, movement, and mind-body practices into sessions when appropriate - including dance, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, drama, visual arts, and pottery - and she has developed an Expressive Arts Clinical Program for youth in residential care. Serena is also a Reiki Master Teacher, Advanced Theta Healing practitioner, and Access Bars Practitioner, and she has taught Tai Chi and Qi Gong for state employees. Her work is informed by Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Existential Therapy, and the Gottman Method, applied to a wide range of concerns from anxiety and trauma to relationship and family issues.

She founded a private practice in Ohio in 2006 before relocating her work to Florida, and she has presented workshops for health and aging departments, mental health conferences, and family-focused audiences. Her publications include the book "I Am Me, I Am, A Pearl's Wisdom Book" and articles on counseling and mental health topics.

Attachment, CBT, and Couples Work Online

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early bonds and relationship patterns shape current emotional responses. This approach helps clients understand attachment needs and repair relationship dynamics, making it useful for intimacy-related struggles, family concerns, and healing from attachment injuries.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It offers practical skills to reframe unhelpful thinking and develop coping strategies for anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep difficulties.

The Gottman Method is a structured approach to couples work that strengthens communication, conflict management, and emotional connection. It is particularly useful for partners seeking practical tools to improve relationship satisfaction and navigate conflict.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer collaborates with each person or couple to identify which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts interventions over time to support progress.

Online therapy with Serena uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more accessible and flexible. These options allow clients to fit therapy around work, family, and mobility needs while working with a licensed professional experienced in both individual and relationship work.