Business Details
Trusted Mental Health Counseling Services in St. Petersburg, FL
The Counseling Center At First United Methodist Church has been dedicated to empowering individuals, couples, and families through professional counseling services since its establishment. Our team of eight state-licensed therapists provides confidential, personalized care tailored to each client's unique needs, addressing challenges ranging from depression and anxiety to relationship dynamics and spiritual growth. With expertise in trauma resolution, addiction recovery, and life transitions, we combine evidence-based methodologies with compassionate support to foster lasting personal development. Our mission is to create a safe, inclusive environment where clients can explore their strengths, overcome obstacles, and achieve greater emotional well-being.By integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques, developmental therapy, and spiritual awareness, we help clients build resilience and rediscover their inherent potential. The center maintains affiliations with major insurance providers and employee assistance programs to ensure accessible care. Our therapists bring decades of combined experience from academic, clinical, and community settings, offering specialized services for diverse populations including LGBTQ+ individuals and trauma survivors. Through both in-office and telehealth sessions, we remain committed to delivering ethical, client-centered therapy grounded in professional excellence and community service.
Services
Therapy for Depression
Anxiety Counseling
Couples Therapy
Family Counseling
Grief Counseling
Addiction Recovery
Trauma Therapy
Career Counseling
Parenting Support
Spiritual Development
Highlights and features
- We offer specialized expertise in trauma resolution and addiction recovery with certified therapists
- Our team provides personalized treatment plans tailored to individual client needs
- We maintain affiliations with major insurance providers for accessible care
- Our therapists bring decades of combined clinical and academic experience
- We offer both in-office and telehealth counseling options for client convenience
Services
Therapy for Depression
Our specialized depression therapy helps clients understand and manage symptoms through evidence-based approaches. Combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with compassionate support, we address underlying causes while developing coping strategies. Clients receive personalized treatment plans focusing on restoring emotional balance and improving quality of life through both individual and group therapy sessions.
Couples Counseling
This service addresses relationship challenges through structured therapy sessions focusing on communication improvement and conflict resolution. Our therapists help couples navigate intimacy issues, life transitions, and patterned conflicts using evidence-based modalities. The goal is to strengthen relationships while respecting individual needs and promoting mutual understanding between partners.
Trauma Therapy
Specialized trauma treatment utilizes advanced techniques like Accelerated Resolution Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT to process traumatic experiences. Our certified specialists help clients reframe distressing memories and develop grounding techniques. The therapy focuses on restoring emotional stability while addressing symptoms of PTSD and complex trauma in a safe therapeutic environment.
Addiction Recovery
Comprehensive addiction treatment addresses substance use disorders and behavioral addictions through individualized recovery plans. Our approach combines cognitive-behavioral therapy with support for underlying mental health issues. Clients receive guidance for relapse prevention and develop healthier coping mechanisms to support long-term recovery and personal growth.
Family Counseling
This service improves family dynamics through structured therapeutic interventions addressing communication breakdowns and relationship patterns. Our therapists facilitate sessions that promote understanding across generations while addressing specific challenges. The approach focuses on strengthening family bonds and creating healthier interaction patterns that support all members' emotional well-being.
People
Dr. Margaret Reynolds
Director
Director with 25+ years in counseling, specializing in addiction recovery and spiritual growth. Former Vanderbilt professor and Opryland USA counselor, integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy with spiritual development for holistic healing.
Dr. Deb Downs-Spencer
Psychologist
Licensed psychologist specializing in eating disorders and trauma treatment. Ohio State University PhD recipient with 25+ years of private practice experience, offering evidence-based therapy for anxiety, depression, and life transitions while accepting major insurance plans.
Debra Kraus
Therapist
Certified ART practitioner with expertise in trauma resolution and anxiety management. Provides specialized therapy for adult populations using accelerated resolution techniques, combining clinical expertise with faith-based perspectives for comprehensive mental health care.
David Cubito
Psychologist
Licensed psychologist offering early morning appointments and cognitive-behavioral therapy for all ages. With 25+ years of experience, specializes in practical counseling solutions while maintaining extensive insurance network participation for accessible mental health services.
Andy Bell
Counselor
LCSW with 20 years directing counseling centers, specializing in LGBTQ+ support and spiritual integration. Combines clinical expertise with pastoral care experience to address mood disorders, relationship issues, and trauma recovery for holistic client well-being.
Questions
What mental health services do you offer?
We provide depression therapy, anxiety counseling, couples therapy, trauma treatment, addiction recovery, family counseling, and specialized services for life transitions and spiritual development.
Do your therapists accept insurance?
Many therapists accept major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Tricare, and United Healthcare. Specific coverage details should be verified directly with providers.
Are telehealth sessions available?
Yes, we offer telehealth counseling options through secure video platforms for clients who prefer remote therapy sessions while maintaining treatment continuity.
How do I choose the right therapist?
Our administrative staff helps match clients with appropriate therapists based on specialty areas, treatment approaches, and availability through initial consultation discussions.
What therapy approaches are used?
Therapists utilize evidence-based methods including cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-focused approaches, accelerated resolution therapy, and eclectic techniques tailored to individual client needs and treatment goals.
How to schedule an appointment?
Call our office at 727-828-8360 during business hours to speak with our administrative staff, who will assist with insurance verification and therapist matching for your first session.
