Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer, LCSW

Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Florida who focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, and depression. She uses a holistic outlook that honors mind, body, and spirit while helping people find clearer ways forward in daily life.

Serena draws on more than two decades of experience in mental health, including time in county and state departments and private practice since 2006. She blends practical talk therapy with creative methods when helpful. This can include expressive arts for young people and tools that support self-regulation and coping.

Her style is collaborative and strengths-focused. She encourages clients to discover their own answers while guiding them through difficult emotions, relationship problems, grief, parenting strain, and life transitions. She also addresses issues such as sleep trouble, anger, self-esteem, bipolar concerns, compassion fatigue, and ADHD-related struggles.

Clinical approaches Serena uses include Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, and the Gottman Method. She also integrates hypnotherapy in certain cases and offers spiritual life coaching for clients exploring values and faith.

Serena combines formal social work education with creative practices such as dance, Tai Chi, expressive arts, and guided imagery to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. Her work emphasizes practical skills people can use between sessions to manage stress and improve relationships.

Her practice is located in Florida and she conducts therapy in English. People who want to begin are asked to use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling.

How therapeutic approaches guide online work

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and ongoing relationships shape current patterns. It helps people understand connection, trust, and closeness in relationships and can reduce relational anxiety and fear of abandonment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems alive. It teaches practical skills and exercises people can use between sessions to manage anxiety, mood, and life stressors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, offers skills for regulating intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and communicating more effectively. This can be useful for people who struggle with impulsivity, anger, or unstable mood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and may combine elements from different approaches as appropriate.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm which session formats the therapist currently offers before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists can assign practical exercises, use screen-shared worksheets, and follow up with notes or tools to help clients apply new skills in daily life.