Counseling & Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL | Children, Teens, Couples & Adults
Our St. Petersburg Therapy Office
Office location
hours of operations
Mon - Sun 8:30am - 8:30pm
*By appointment only
Counseling in St. Petersburg for Adults
St. Petersburg Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
Our relationship counseling in St. Petersburg helps couples rebuild connection, trust, and intimacy when it matters most. Whether you're struggling with communication breakdowns, feeling disconnected in the bedroom, or healing from infidelity and betrayal, our specialized therapists understand the complexities of modern relationships. We focus on what matters: improving communication patterns that actually work, reigniting intimacy and sexual satisfaction, and guiding couples through the painful process of healing from relational trauma. If your relationship is worth fighting for, we're here to help you find your way back to each other.
If you're experiencing sexual desire differences or intimacy loss, our St. Petersburg couples therapists often recommend starting with our guide on navigating mismatched libidos.
Therapy for Children & Teens in St. Pete
What Our Clients Say About Us
Our Team | Therapist in St Petersburg FL
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![Tyler MacDonald MA LMHC trauma and anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Tyler MacDonald, MA, LMHC
Specialties: Trauma Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, Couples Counseling
About: Tyler brings a trauma-informed, systemic approach grounded in motivational interviewing, person-centered, Jungian, and existential methods. He works with individuals to explore strengths, generate insight, and support healing. Tyler specializes in anxiety therapy in St Petersburg.
Education & Training: Master’s in Counselor Education (Clinical Mental Health) from the University of Central Florida
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![Amanda Farris MS LCSW‑QS trauma & couples therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW, QS
Specialties: Trauma Therapy, Couples Therapy, Anxiety & Depression Counseling
About: Amanda offers compassionate therapy to individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and relational challenges. She integrates modalities such as attachment-focused EMDR, ACT, and DBT. Amanda also utilizes and integrates somatic experiencing in St Petersburg.
Education & Training: Master of Science in Clinical Social Work; Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Qualified Supervisor in Florida.
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![Kaitlyn Shelp MA LMHC‑QS couples and infidelity therapy in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Kaitlyn Shelp, MA, LMHC
Specialties:Infidelity Counseling, Couples Therapy, Relational Trauma
About: Kaitlyn specializes in helping couples heal after infidelity and relational trauma using Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART), and the Gottman Method.
Education & Training: Master’s in Counselor Education (Clinical Mental Health) from University of Central Florida. Trained in ART, SART, and Gottman Method.
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![Melissa Zentner MS LMHC anxiety and trauma therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Melissa Zentner, MS, LMHC
Specialties: Anxiety Therapy, PTSD & Depression Therapy, Self‑Esteem Support
About: Melissa brings over a decade of clinical experience working with , children, adults and couples to improve emotional and behavioral wellbeing. She integrates evidence-based modalities and specializes in trauma therapy in St. Petersburg.
Education & Training: Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from East Carolina University; certified in TF‑CBT and trained in the Neurosequential Model through The Child Trauma Academy.
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![Dr. Mary Perleoni Ph.D. LMHC trauma and couples therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Mary Perleoni, Ph.D., LMHC
Specialties: Trauma Therapy, Couples & Marriage Counseling
About: As the founder of IBWHC, Dr. Perleoni is dedicated to trauma-informed care and marriage counseling. She is trained in Trauma-Focused CBT and Gottman Method Couples Therapy and has extensive academic, supervisory, and clinical experience.
Education & Training: Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision (University of Central Florida); Master in Mental Health Counseling (University of Saint Joseph).
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![Megan Midura RMHCI child and teen anxiety and trauma therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Megan Midura, RMHCI
Specialties: Anxiety Therapy, Emotional Regulation, Child & Teen Trauma Therapy
About: Megan is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern who specializes in trauma-informed therapy for children and adolescents. She combines TF‑Play Therapy, PCIT, TF‑CBT, DBT, & exposure-based approaches to help clients build resilience, manage anxiety, and strengthen caregiver connections.
Education & Training: MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Saint Joseph.
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![Jessica Klein MA LMHC couples, individual, and family therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Jessica Klein, LMHC
Specialties: Couples Therapy, Gottman Method, Individual Counseling, Family Therapy
About: Jessica is a compassionate therapist offering individual, couples, and family counseling to clients across St. Petersburg, FL. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, inner‑child work, attachment-based approaches, and Gottman Method training. Jessica specializes in depression therapy in Saint Petersburg.
Education & Training: MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Gottman Level 1 trained; CB, narrative, and attachment-based therapist.
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![Ashley Canto MSW LCSW trauma-informed child and family therapist in St. Petersburg, FL]()
Ashley Canto, LCSW
Specialties: Child & Family Therapy, Trauma Therapy, ADHD & Anxiety in Children, Play Therapy, TF‑CBT
About: Ashley is a trauma-informed clinical social worker supporting children, teens, adults, and families across St. Petersburg. With a warm, collaborative style, she specializes in TF‑CBT, CPT, PMT, EFT, motivational interviewing, play therapy, and behavioral interventions.
Education & Training: MSW from University of South Florida; certified in TF‑CBT, CPT, PMT, EFT, Motivational Interviewing, and Play Therapy.
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![Licensed therapist in St. Petersburg, Florida providing individual and couples counseling]()
Genevieve Savage, LCSW
Specialties: Child & Family Therapy, Anxiety & Depression, Trauma Therapy, LGBTQ+ Support, Art-Based & Play Therapy
About: Genevieve is a compassionate therapist supporting children, teens, young adults, and families across St. Petersburg, FL. She helps clients navigate anxiety, trauma, and everyday stressors while building confidence, emotional regulation, and self-expression.
Education & Training: MSW and BSW from the University of South Florida.
Our St. Petersburg Therapy Offices
Why St. Petersburg Chooses It Begins Within
Dr. Mary Perleoni founded It Begins Within with the mission of setting a new standard for quality in mental healthcare. While obtaining her Ph.D. at one of the nations leading counseling research and teaching institutions (University of Central Florida), she grew a deep appreciation for the process of “gatekeeping” (i.e. only highly qualified and skilled students are permitted to continue and graduate from the program).
As a Counselor Educator, Mary has had the unique experience of training, evaluating and mentoring thousands of Counselors - she’s used this expertise to ensure each and every clinician at It Begins Within is truly an expert in their respective focus area.
With a baseline of the most skilled clinicians in the St. Petersburg area, combined with regular ongoing support and education we ensure we are able to provide the highest level of support for our St. Pete clients.
Who We Help in St. Petersburg
Adults facing anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, or depression
Couples seeking counseling, discernment work, or infidelity recovery
Parents and teens navigating school stress, ADHD, or emotional regulation
High-Performance Professionals Deserve High-Impact Support
We specialize in supporting professionals who are constantly "on." Our clients include attorneys, physicians, surgeons, entrepreneurs, and executives who often find themselves carrying the emotional and mental weight of their roles without space to offload or reset. We get it. Your time is limited, your responsibilities are enormous, and discretion is required.
That’s why we offer
Flexible Scheduling – Early mornings, evenings, and weekend options that work with your demanding calendar.
Innovative, Results-Oriented Therapy – Including intensive therapy sessions designed to accelerate insight, healing, and change without requiring months of weekly sessions.
Complete Privacy – Sessions are conducted in a confidential, judgment-free space where your personal and professional identity are respected and protected.
Evidence-Based Treatment – Our methods are grounded in research and tailored to meet the specific needs of high-functioning individuals navigating burnout, anxiety, perfectionism, or high-stress leadership roles.
You don’t have to slow down to get support, you just need the right support. At It Begins Within, we meet you where you are and help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Specialized Trauma Therapy in St. Petersburg
Trauma treatment is the foundation of everything we do at our St. Petersburg counseling practice. Our team brings over 75 years of combined trauma therapy experience — but expertise isn't just about years in practice. It's about understanding that trauma doesn't just live in your mind. It lives in your body, your relationships, and the patterns that keep you stuck. That's why we've built a team trained in the most advanced, evidence-based trauma modalities available — so we can address trauma at every level and help you truly heal.
Healing from Infidelity & Relational Trauma
Infidelity betrayal shatters trust in ways that traditional couples therapy isn’t designed to address. That's why our Clinical Director, Kaitlyn Shelp, is one of only a handful of clinicians in Florida trained and certified in Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART) — a specialized, structured approach designed specifically for couples healing from infidelity. Whether you're the partner who was betrayed or the one who broke trust, SART provides a clear roadmap for accountability, rebuilding safety, and creating a stronger relationship than before.
EMDR Therapy & Reprocessing Trauma
For individuals carrying the weight of past trauma (whether from childhood abuse, assault, accidents, or painful life events) EMDR therapy in St. Pete can offer the profound healing that’s been missing from your current treatment. Our EMDR-trained therapists, including Amanda Farris and Jessica Klein, help clients reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the same emotional and physical reactions. If you are unfamiliar with EMDR or bilateral stimulation therapy, it doesn't just manage symptoms, it resolves trauma at its root, making it particularly effective for those seeking PTSD therapy in St. Petersburg.
Amanda Farris - EMDR & Somatic Therapist
Mind-Body Healing through Somatic Experiencing in st. petersburg
Amanda Farris takes trauma treatment a step further by integrating EMDR with somatic therapy, a powerful combination that addresses how trauma is stored in the body. Drawing on principles of somatic experiencing, Amanda brings a unique, holistic approach as both a certified yoga instructor and trauma therapist. This mind-body integration helps clients release trauma not just mentally, but physically, especially effective for those who feel "stuck" in traditional talk therapy or who experience trauma symptoms like chronic tension, numbness, or hypervigilance.
Childhood Trauma & TF-CBT Expertise
Early trauma shapes how we see ourselves, relate to others, and navigate the world. Our St. Pete counseling team includes nationally recognized experts in childhood trauma treatment, led by Dr. Mary Perlioni (our founder), whose published research on childhood trauma treatment has contributed to the field. Dr. Perlioni, along with Melissa Zentner and Megan Midura, are all trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Their combined expertise helps both children processing current trauma and adults healing from wounds that started years ago.
If trauma is keeping you from the life and relationships you deserve, you don't have to carry it alone.
Therapy & Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
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We provide a wide range of services, including trauma therapy (such as somatic experiencing and relational trauma therapy), anxiety therapy, depression therapy, ADHD treatment, couples therapy, and more. Our licensed therapists in St. Petersburg are experienced in working with children, teens, adults, and families.
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If you’re struggling with the effects of past experiences—such as anxiety, nightmares, feeling “stuck,” or trouble with relationships—trauma therapy can help. Our trauma therapists in St. Petersburg use evidence-based approaches, including somatic experiencing, to support your healing and long-term growth.
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Yes. We specialize in anxiety therapy, depression therapy, and holistic care for emotional wellness. Whether you’re experiencing panic attacks, chronic stress, or persistent sadness, our St. Petersburg counselors provide personalized treatment options that can help you feel better.
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Somatic experiencing is a body-based therapy approach for resolving trauma and stress. Our St. Petersburg therapists are trained in somatic experiencing to help you reconnect with your body, process emotions, and heal from trauma in a safe, supportive environment.
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Absolutely. Our couples therapists in St. Petersburg offer counseling for communication issues, infidelity, parenting, and more. We use evidence-based methods to help you rebuild trust, deepen connection, and move forward together.
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Yes. Our counselors in St. Petersburg, FL are licensed professionals with specialized training in anxiety, trauma, depression, ADHD, and relational therapy. We’re committed to providing compassionate, expert care tailored to your needs.
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You can request an appointment directly on our website, call our St. Pete counseling office, or fill out our online contact form. Our friendly intake team will help match you with the best therapist for your needs.
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Yes. Our St. Petersburg therapists provide ADHD treatment and counseling for both kids and adults. We use evidence-based approaches to support focus, emotional regulation, and success at home, school, and work.
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Your first session is a chance to share your story, discuss your goals, and get to know your therapist. We’ll answer any questions you have about the therapy process, and work together to create a personalized plan for your care.
WHERE TO FIND US
St. Petersburg
Clearwater
Largo
Pinellas Park
Dunedin
Tarpon Springs
Safety Harbor
Belleair & Belleair Bluffs
Madeira Beach & Treasure Island
AREAS WE SUPPORT
Ready to make a change?
We would be honored to support you in your healing journey - Speak with a therapist in St Pete by scheduling a free therapy consultation below.