Kimberly Peters, MA, LMHC

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of couples therapy does Kimberly Peters offer in Tampa?

Kimberly works with couples at every stage, from those recovering from infidelity, couples who want to strengthen an already solid relationship, couples working on sexual healing and intimacy, and engaged or seriously committed couples preparing for marriage. She draws on Gottman Method training for communication, conflict, and friendship, and on Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy training. For premarital couples, she uses the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment to give both partners a clear picture of their strengths and growth areas. Kimberly sees couples in person at It Begins Within Tampa’s office and through telehealth anywhere in Florida. Whatever brings you in, sessions focus on practical skills you can use at home and on repairing the emotional connection underneath the day-to-day friction.

How is infidelity recovery different from general couples counseling?

General couples counseling usually targets patterns like communication breakdowns, recurring arguments, or drifting apart. Infidelity recovery starts from a rupture — one partner has been deeply betrayed, and trust has to be rebuilt before other work can hold. Kimberly guides couples through the crisis phase first: making sense of what happened, managing intense emotions, and creating enough safety for honest conversation. From there, the work turns to understanding the relationship conditions around the affair and deciding together what the relationship will look like going forward. Kimberly has specialized training in treating infidelity, including affairs involving pornography and cybersex, and she integrates Gottman Method and integrative sex and couples therapy principles. Recovery is not about assigning blame; it is about giving both partners a real path to repair or to a clear, considered decision.

Does Kimberly help with sexual wellness and intimacy concerns?

Yes. Sexual wellness is a core part of Kimberly's work with couples and individuals. She has completed Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy certification training with Dr. Tammy Nelson and specialized training in pornography, infidelity, and cybersex. Common concerns include mismatched desire, intimacy that faded after children or a major life change, rebuilding physical closeness after betrayal, and conflict over pornography use. Kimberly treats sexual wellness as part of the whole relationship rather than a separate problem, connecting it to communication, trust, stress, and physical health. Sessions are talk-based, respectful, and paced to each partner's comfort. If you have been hesitant to raise intimacy concerns in therapy, Kimberly makes it straightforward to name what is happening and start working on it together.

How does Kimberly treat complex PTSD?

Complex PTSD develops from prolonged or repeated trauma and often shows up as difficulty trusting others, a persistent sense of danger, emotional overwhelm, or feeling disconnected from yourself. Kimberly treats it using EMDR, which she trained in through an EMDRIA-approved program and advanced with a master class, alongside somatic techniques that help the body register safety. She paces the work carefully, building stability and coping skills before processing painful memories. Her trauma background is extensive: she has counseled active-duty Special Operations service members and their families across all branches of the military and holds advanced Critical Incident Stress Management training, including school-shooting response and first responder care. That experience means she is comfortable with difficult material and knows how to keep sessions grounded.

What is Kimberly like in session?

Kimberly describes her style as intentional and relational. She comes prepared, stays focused on your goals, and offers warmth and encouragement while still asking you to do the hard work change requires. She does not lock into one method; instead, she draws from humanistic, existential, Jungian, cognitive behavioral, and somatic therapies depending on what fits. She also looks beyond the presenting problem to the rest of your life — physical health, relationships, work, finances, spirituality, and environment — since lasting change usually involves more than one area. Clients often say they feel anchored by the relationship they build with her. And while the work is serious, Kimberly brings humor into the room; she is known for her dad jokes.

What should I expect in my first session with Kimberly?

Your first session is a chance to share what brought you in and what you hope will change. Kimberly will ask about your history, current stressors, relationships, and goals, and for couples she will want to hear from both partners about how each sees the relationship. She will explain how she works, answer your questions, and outline a starting plan — for example, EMDR preparation for trauma work, a Gottman-informed assessment for couples, or the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment for premarital couples. There is no pressure to share everything at once; trust is built over time. Before your first appointment, IBWHC offers a free consultation so you can confirm Kimberly is the right fit. Sessions are available in person in Tampa or by telehealth anywhere in Florida.