Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer

Compassionate, holistic clinical social worker

LCSW Florida

Experience: 21 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Peggy

Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer blends clinical training and a holistic outlook to support people facing stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma, depression, parenting challenges, and a broad range of emotional and life concerns.

Background and approach

Serena brings 21 years of experience as an LCSW to her work in Florida, offering approaches that address mood, self-esteem, intimacy, and coping with life changes while also attending to issues such as ADHD, compassion fatigue, and caregiving stress.

Her style draws from cognitive behavioral ideas alongside attachment-informed and skills-based methods, integrating practical strategies with attention to clients' values and life meaning. Serena also uses creative modalities and has a background in expressive arts and hypnotherapy, which she adapts to fit the needs of children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

She emphasizes helping clients access their own answers and build tools for greater ease and resilience. Serena trained in social work at Capital University and The Ohio State University and holds Florida licensure as an LCSW (FL LCSW SW14761).

Her practice in Saint Petersburg combines clinical experience in residential and community settings with ongoing teaching and workshop work, aiming to help people recover, remember, and honor their authentic selves.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Serena uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy is another key influence, focusing on patterns of relating and emotional bonds to help improve intimacy, family dynamics, and responses to loss or separation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with clients to explore goals, preferences, and life circumstances and then tailors methods - whether skills training, attachment work, or creative techniques - to fit each person's needs rather than applying a single model to every situation.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for busy schedules and varied needs. These formats make it possible to continue therapy while managing work, family, or mobility constraints, and allow therapists and clients to practice skills and address daily challenges in real time across different communication styles.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?

Serena supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, parenting and family concerns, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, career transitions, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD, and related challenges.

What is Serena's therapeutic approach and style?

Her orientation combines cognitive behavioral ideas with attachment-informed and skills-based methods, and she integrates expressive arts and hypnotherapy when appropriate to personalize care.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has practiced for 21 years, including work in county and state mental health and substance abuse settings and in residential treatment and independent practice.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, FL LCSW SW14761, and maintains a practice in Florida, based in Saint Petersburg.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English only and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for working together?

Clients may meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to therapist availability and client preference.

How are fees and payment handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy with this provider?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks PhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodHypnotherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

21+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English