Our therapists offer grief & loss counseling in St Petersburg, FL

Victoria Baca is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 8 years of experience working in a wide variety of settings with a focus on individual counseling. She also holds an MCAP (Certified Master's Level Addiction Professional). Her specialties include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, domestic violence, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and immigration/acculturation problems.

Victoria completed her Bachelor of Science (BS) in General Psychology and her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University. Her approach to therapy comes from the belief that every individual is their own expert and possesses the inner wisdom to guide them to find the right path. Victoria’s role as a counselor is to help uncover her clients' inner wisdom and resiliency. Her theoretical orientation is eclectic, combining cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavioral approaches with mindfulness and motivational interviewing.

Victoria will guide and support you in your journey by providing the necessary tools to increase your resiliency and achieve your goals. We all go through challenges in life and Victoria is ready to walk along with you through the recovery path.

Denise Ludwig-Coe is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 17 years of experience in the mental health field. Denise is also a Clinical Nurse Specialist for 40+ years and is highly motivated to play a part in helping others to decrease the pain that often accompanies many life challenges. Denise works well with all people because of her deep respect for the diversity, yet sameness, among all people; especially when at times there may be overwhelming feelings in trying to adapt to illness, loss/grief, transitioning to older age, depression, anxiety, anger, stress, alcoholism/addiction, pain, and a sense of helplessness, and not knowing where to turn. Her passion is to offer a sense of comfort and hope to those who reach out for help. Because of Denise’s dual career choice, she has also been active in helping those in the medical field, including nurses with mental health and substance use issues and who may be involved in an alternative to discipline program in Florida. Her approach is person-centered and eclectic. She draws from the field of positive psychology and coaching, and uses mindfulness, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, as well as 12-Step Facilitation therapy, and stress management practices.

Denise completed both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a clinical specialty in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing at Syracuse University. She worked many years in direct clinical work with mental health clients in hospitals as well as in the community. Denise also worked in Public Health dealing with mental health and family issues among Spanish-speaking families living in Syracuse. She wasprivileged to teach and clinically supervise nursing students at the associate and bachelor's degree levels. Recognizing many of the stressors inherent in the health professions and wanting to play a part in strengthening caregiver resiliency and decreasing compassion fatigue, Denise returned to school and completed her Master of Science (MS) in Counseling at Nova Southeastern University, specializing in Substance Abuse Counseling and Education. Later, becoming more aware of how trauma and adverse childhood experiences impact the extended physical and mental health of people, she returned to school at Capella University to seek a PhD with a focus on the impact of trauma and later addictions in women. Due to her needing to become the primary caregiver to her dying parents, Denise did not complete the dissertation and instead received a master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Human Services. She has been a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) in Florida. She also served as a nurse in the US Army reserves and worked in a combat support field hospital. Because of her diverse experiences in mental health, Denise has a broad base of knowledge and expertise. She is currently a Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor interns.

Part of being human means we all go through difficult times, when we don't know what to do and we feel unable to think straight. We may make decisions that make our situations even more complicated. We may feel shame or fear of loss (job, relationship, esteem of others) if we were to say out loud our thoughts and feelings. Maybe we are grieving and feel our pain will never end, BUT talking to a mental health professional can help. Talking to someone who listens with compassion, never judging or telling you what to do, but listens, and by being fully present, helps you to feel less alone, and more able to regain the direction for your life. If you are ready to reach out, Denise is ready to join you in your journey. Schedule an appointment with her today.

Susanna Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 8 years of experience treating mental health and substance abuse disorders. She specializes in depression, anxiety, LGBTQIA+ issues, addiction, and relationship issues.

Susanna completed her Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) at Florida Atlantic University. She will guide you in identifying harmful thinking patterns and together, re-write a narrative that will empower and create self-efficacy through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI). She is committed to creating a therapeutic relationship built on trust and compassion. Susanna will encourage you to dig deep and hold you accountable to the goals that you have identified together.

Susanna believes you have everything to gain from this journey and nothing to lose. You are safe and supported here. Schedule an appointment with Susanna to get started.

Michael Perez is a bilingual (English, Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 6 years of experience working with clients of all ages who are encountering difficulties in managing depression, anxiety, career-related stress, poor coping skills, grief, life transitions, mental stress, low self-esteem, stress, substance use, trauma, and PTSD. 

Michael earned his Master's degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University and utilizes a wide variety of therapeutic methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Christian counseling, compassion-focused methods, culturally sensitive methods, emotionally-focused approaches, mindfulness-based therapy (MBCT), motivational interviewing, and more. 

His unique skill sets and experience with diverse patients and insight within the arts provide him with a unique perspective that can help patients to achieve their personal goals and identify their needs and wanted improvements. Michael is ready to partner with you to address the challenges you're currently facing. He'll help you move forward with compassion and focus, as you learn to manage your mental health with his professional support.

Ana Jarzin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida with more than 9 years of experience partnering with adults seeking help with OCD, hoarding disorder, trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, stress, academic and work issues, anger management, self-injurious behaviors, self-esteem, parenting, grief, and bereavement. 

She completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. Ana believes that the most effective counseling relationship employs client-centered and strengths-based treatments that are personalized for each client’s personal goals, strengths, barriers, and needs. She provides a supportive and engaging counseling atmosphere in which clients play an active role in their recovery process and are treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

Ana is ready to help you move forward in achieving your personal goals with confidence. Call or go online to schedule your first session with her; together, as a team, you'll conquer and address the most important challenges you're faced with.