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 compassionate mental health services since its founding. Our team of eight state-licensed therapists combines clinical expertise with personalized care to address a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. We specialize in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and spiritual growth while maintaining strict confidentiality and creating a supportive therapeutic environment. With decades of combined experience across diverse clinical backgrounds, our counselors employ evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-focused interventions, and faith-integrated counseling.We serve clients of all ages from St. Petersburg and surrounding communities, offering both in-person and telehealth sessions to accommodate varying needs. Our commitment to accessibility is demonstrated through sliding scale fees, scholarship programs, and acceptance of major insurance plans. We maintain affiliations with leading mental health organizations and continuously update our practices through professional development and peer collaboration. By focusing on holistic well-being, we help clients transform challenges into opportunities for personal growth and healing. Our office operates in a convenient downtown location with flexible scheduling options to support clients' therapeutic journeys.
Services
Therapy for Depression
Anxiety Treatment
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Trauma Recovery
Eating Disorder Support
Grief Counseling
Career Counseling
Highlights and features
- Our team includes eight state-licensed therapists with specialized expertise in trauma recovery and faith-integrated counseling
- We offer both in-person and telehealth sessions for maximum accessibility
- Sliding scale fees and scholarship programs ensure therapy remains accessible to all income levels
- Counselors maintain active memberships in professional organizations like the American Mental Health Counselors Association
- Specialized treatment for eating disorders, addiction recovery, and trauma resolution using evidence-based techniques
Services
Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
Our specialized depression and anxiety therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with compassionate support to help clients manage symptoms and regain control of their lives. With personalized treatment plans, we address both immediate concerns and underlying causes while considering each client's unique circumstances and spiritual perspective. Our experienced therapists create a safe space for exploring emotions and developing practical coping strategies that promote lasting recovery and emotional resilience.
Couples Counseling
We offer evidence-based couples counseling to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. Our therapists help partners develop healthier interaction patterns while addressing specific challenges like trust issues, life transitions, or intimacy concerns. Through collaborative sessions, couples learn effective conflict resolution skills and rediscover connection while maintaining mutual respect and understanding in their journey toward relational healing and growth.
Trauma Recovery
Specialized trauma recovery services utilize advanced techniques like Accelerated Resolution Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT to help clients process painful experiences. Our certified trauma professionals guide individuals through safe, structured healing processes that address both psychological and physiological effects of trauma. We specialize in treating PTSD, childhood trauma, and complex grief while helping clients develop grounding techniques and resilience-building strategies for long-term recovery and personal empowerment.
Eating Disorder Support
Our comprehensive eating disorder program addresses anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating through multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches. Certified specialists work with clients to uncover underlying emotional triggers while developing healthy coping mechanisms and body image improvement strategies. Treatment integrates nutritional guidance, cognitive restructuring, and emotional regulation techniques to promote sustainable recovery and improved relationship with food and self-image through personalized therapeutic interventions.
Faith-Integrated Counseling
Faith-integrated counseling services combine professional mental health treatment with spiritual exploration for clients seeking God-centered healing. Therapists respectfully incorporate clients' spiritual beliefs into treatment while addressing issues like faith crises, moral conflicts, or spiritual growth. This approach creates synergistic healing that addresses emotional needs alongside spiritual development, helping clients find meaning and purpose through their therapeutic journey while maintaining professional ethical standards.
People
Dr. Margaret Reynolds
Director
Dr. Reynolds specializes in addiction recovery and spiritual growth with 25+ years of counseling experience. She combines cognitive-behavioral therapy with faith-based approaches to help clients rediscover their 'divine self.' Former Vanderbilt professor and Opryland USA counselor.
Dr. Deb Downs-Spencer
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Downs-Spencer focuses on eating disorders and anxiety treatment with expertise from her Ohio State University training. She has treated diverse mental health conditions since 1997, specializing in depression and bipolar disorder while maintaining hospital affiliations.
Debra Kraus
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Debra Kraus offers trauma resolution through Accelerated Resolution Therapy, treating PTSD and anxiety disorders. Certified in trauma treatment, she helps clients with memory healing and personal growth while maintaining multiple professional counseling affiliations.
David Cubito
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Cubito provides cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals and families with 25+ years of clinical experience. He specializes in early morning sessions and accepts multiple insurance plans while maintaining a client-centered therapeutic approach.
Andy Bell
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Andy Bell focuses on trauma recovery and LGBTQ+ mental health with 20+ years as counseling center director. He integrates faith-based perspectives with clinical expertise in abuse recovery and family empowerment while maintaining inclusive therapeutic practices.
Questions
What types of counseling services are available?
We offer individual, couples, family, and group counseling for depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, relationship issues, and spiritual growth. Specialized services include addiction recovery, grief counseling, and career development.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Tricare, and United Healthcare. Please verify your specific coverage with your insurance provider before your first appointment.
Are telehealth sessions available?
Yes, we offer secure telehealth counseling sessions through encrypted video platforms. This option provides convenient access to therapy for clients who prefer remote sessions or have mobility challenges.
What are your fees?
Standard counseling sessions range from $125 to $150 for 50 minutes. We offer sliding scale fees based on income and have limited scholarship opportunities available for qualifying individuals.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call our office at 727-828-8360 to speak with our intake coordinator or contact individual therapists directly. We'll help match you with the most appropriate counselor based on your specific needs and availability.
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
Please notify us at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule. Missed appointments without prior notice will be charged the full session fee to maintain fair scheduling for all clients.
