Profile / United States
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer, LCSW
Florida
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Relationships and Anxiety
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Attachment work
- Expressive arts
About Peggy
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida with 21 years of clinical experience. She works with adults and adolescents on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, depression, parenting, and related issues. She also addresses topics such as ADHD, sleep problems, intimacy, self-esteem, career stress, and coping with life changes.
Serena uses practical tools drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other approaches to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits. She also integrates attachment-focused work and skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy when appropriate. Sessions are conversational and task-oriented, with an emphasis on small, testable changes between meetings.
Her background includes work in county and state mental health and substance abuse systems prior to private practice. She holds a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Capital University. Those degrees support two decades of work in residential settings and outpatient care.
Serena has added expressive arts and mind-body practices into her clinical work, drawing on movement, drama, and visual arts when these methods help adolescents and adults engage. She also holds certifications that inform parts of her practice, and she has led workshops on topics such as maternal depression, aging, and recovery.
Her practice is based in Saint Petersburg, Florida. People who choose to work with her can expect structured sessions, clear behavioral goals, and collaborative planning around next steps.
How her approaches translate to online work
Serena draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to focus on noticing and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT in this form uses clear goals, short practical exercises, and tracking between sessions to measure progress and adjust strategies.She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to look at patterns in relationships and how early connections affect current interactions. That approach helps people recognize relational habits and practice new ways of relating. Dialectical Behavior Therapy provides concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness when strong emotions interfere with daily life.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Serena works with each person to decide which methods fit their problems, goals, and preferences. The plan can be adjusted as goals change or new challenges appear.
Practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Many people find shorter check-ins or skill-focused sessions easier to fit into work breaks or caregiving routines, and online meetings can make it simpler to use worksheets and screen-sharing during a session.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, depression, parenting challenges, sleep issues, ADHD, and related concerns.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and to try different responses. Sessions include concrete exercises and behavioral experiments to test what works between meetings.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She has 21 years of clinical experience, including work in county and state mental health systems and private practice since 2006.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida and maintains her practice in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.