About It Begins Within Therapy

Trusted St. pete & Tampa Mental Health Counseling & Therapy

IBW is a private therapy practice made up of specialized, trained therapists practicing research-based, cutting-edge therapeutic approaches to trauma-focused mental health issues

Welcome to It Begins Within Healing Center — your local resource for compassionate and evidence-based mental health services in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding Tampa Bay area. Our team of licensed therapists offers individual counseling, womens therapy, family therapy near me, and specialized care for adults, children, couples, and families, helping you overcome anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.

We understand that seeking therapy can be a courageous first step, and we’re committed to providing a safe, welcoming space where healing can begin. Whether you're searching for therapy offices near me, same day therapy options (when available), or approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy near me and emdr therapists near me, our Tampa-based therapists are here to support you. Conveniently located near Westshore (accessible from Hyde Park, South Tampa, and Downtown), we offer in-person sessions in Tampa and St. Petersburg, plus virtual therapy across Florida.

I use a strengths-based approach with clients. We all have innate strengths and I believe using these strengths to help clients heal is the key to the best mental health outcome.
— Dr. Mary Perleoni

Who We Serve

Our clients include professional athletes, parents, executives, children, and individuals seeking personalized mental health support in the Tampa Bay area. We specialize in:

  • Individual counseling for depression and anxiety, including care from specialized anxiety counselors and OCD therapists in Tampa

  • Women’s therapy that addresses unique emotional and life challenges

  • Therapy for children, teens, and families, fostering healthy growth and connection

  • Marriage counseling in Tampa, premarital counseling, and couples therapy tailored to strengthen your relationships

  • Trauma therapy and PTSD treatment provided by EMDR-certified therapists

Serving Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, we focus on behavioral health in Tampa with a strengths-based approach to empower individuals with practical tools for lasting, positive change.

Our Mission for Counseling in Tampa

Our mission at It Begins Within Healing Center is to provide quality mental health services to couples, adults, and children across the St. Petersburg & Tampa Bay area.

Our Tampa counselors use a strengths-based approach with clients. Our belief is that everyone has innate strengths, and implementing their strengths into the therapeutic process will help clients heal. We choose this approach over forcing clients to fit into therapeutic techniques that may not result in positive outcomes for them.

Meet Our Tampa Mental Health Therapists

FAQ

My last mental health counselor IN TAMPA did not help me. How will working with IBW be any different?

We are committed to providing quality mental health therapy for our clients. So many people stay in “unhelpful” therapeutic relationships and lose hope because they are not getting better. Our clients are treated by qualified and trained professionals that will put committed effort into their healing.

What is individual counseling and how can it help me?

Individual counseling provides one-on-one support with a licensed therapist to address personal challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions. It’s a confidential space to explore your emotions and develop coping strategies tailored to your needs.

What types of women’s therapy do you offer?

We offer women’s therapy focusing on anxiety, postpartum support, relationship challenges, identity shifts, and self-esteem. Our licensed female therapists provide compassionate, personalized care for women at every stage of life.

I’m looking for a therapist in Tampa FL, what should I do?

We encourage anyone seeking a new therapist in Tampa or St. Petersburg to set up a consultation with an experienced counselor. At IBW, we offer free consultations - we welcome you to meet our team of Tampa therapists here.

do you offer virtual therapy and in person therapy near me?

Yes, we offer both in-person therapy in Tampa & St. Petersburg, as well as virtual therapy or teletherapy for those across Florida. There are certain challenges our clients face which we may strongly encourage services be delivered in-person, but we welcome you to call us to learn more and explore which option may be right for you.

ARE same day therapy SESSIONS available in Tampa?

Yes, many of our therapists offer same day or next day appointments to help you start your healing journey without delay. Contact us to check availability and schedule your session quickly.

How do I find a depression and anxiety therapist near me?

Choose a therapist with experience in anxiety disorders who uses proven methods such as CBT, exposure therapy, or EMDR. Local Tampa therapists often provide personalized treatment plans to reduce anxiety symptoms effectively.

Good Faith Estimate

As a client, you will have the right to receive a “good faith estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

    1. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, hospital fees, and mental health services.

    2. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an appointment.

    3. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill (please note, while this is the law, this is not applicable to our practice as our estimate is only for each session since we are unable to predict the length of therapy).

    4. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

  • You will receive a Good Faith Estimate through the client portal with your intake paperwork at the time of scheduling an appointment. If at anytime during treatment you like to request another Good Faith Estimate, please contact us. A Good Faith estimate will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

For more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019

Ready to make a change?

Take the courageous first step toward healing with Tampa’s trusted mental health therapists. Schedule your session today and experience personalized counseling tailored to your needs, right here in Florida.