Serena is the BEST - professional, knowledgeable, experienced, compassionate - I've been in therapy for years and she is hands down the best provider I have ever had!
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Rev. is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Rev.. View 33 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Florida
Recent reviews
Serena has been excellent. She is easy to talk to, understands my concerns, provides helpful suggestions and suggests good exercises that don't feel like busy work. She has gotten me to reflect on my situations in life and look them from a different point of view, which has helped to ease my anxiety.
More about Rev.
- 20 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
Change your Life!
Your life can evolve and change so that you may find freedom and peace!
My mission is to assist you to explore and discover your own answers from within, and to remember, recover and honor your true, authentic self so you can live life with greater ease and abundant joy.
Let me guide you to transform your-Self and your life.
Hello,
I am Peggy Ann Serena Hemmer. I prefer to go by Serena. I have been providing clinically sound, creative, holistic counseling for children ages 3 and up, adults, couples and families since 2004. Prior to my clinical work, I spent 10 years at the county and state departments of mental health and substance abuse.
Having studied and practiced many holistic approaches to health and well-being, as well as a variety of life philosophies, my approach to therapy is from a holistic perspective, taking into consideration the relationship between mind, body, and spirit. Knowing youth express themselves through art, and play, I weave Expressive Arts modalities into sessions with youth and their families. I was provided an opportunity to establish an Expressive Arts Clinical Program at a behavioral health residential center for youth. Certified in Rational Hypnotherapy, I am able to guide clients to relief from anxiety, phobias, and addictions.
I graduated Summa cum Laude from Capital University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and received a Master of Social Work degree, from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In Florida, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Certifications in Rational Hypnotherapy, Gottman Couple's Counseling, and Spiritual Life Coaching. As an ordained metaphysical, New Thought minister and certified Spiritual Life Coach I assist clients, who are seeking, to explore and expand their values, spirituality, and faith.
I bring my education, experience, and intuition to my practice and particularly my creativity in my work with adolescents and adults. Having provided counseling for people of all ages, from all backgrounds and socio-economic levels in residential treatment centers and private practice, I have acquired a broad awareness of the variety of challenges many people face and have witnessed the intrinsic ability we each have to overcome those challenges and to thrive.
Originally, I founded my private practice in 2006 in Worthington, Ohio, and later moved it to Westerville, Ohio. Because I incorporate my background and experience in dance, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, drama, visual arts, and pottery, I was sought after to provide therapy for children as well as adults and couples. Along with my formal education and experience, I am certified in many holistic approaches. I am a Reiki Master Teacher, an Advanced Theta Healing practitioner, an Access Bars Practitioner and taught Qi Gong and Tai Chi for the State of Ohio Employees. Currently, my practice is located in sunny Saint Petersburg, Florida.
During my career, I have developed and presented a variety of workshops for families and providers. Including:
Ohio Department of Health - Birth to Three Conference -“Maternal Depression and Effects on Infants”- Co-Presenter
Ohio Department of Aging Governor’s Conference on Aging - “Advantages of Tai Chi”, Presenter
Ohio Department of Mental Health Millennium Conference - “Moving through Recovery”- Presenter
“Use of Expressive Arts and Play in Counseling Adolescent Youth in a Children’s Residential Center”- Presenter
“Bullies, Bullied, Bully Victims”- Presenter
“Separation, Attachment, and Placement”- Foster and Adopted Children Presenter
Cancer Support Community Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C-Co-Presenter -“Distress Screening”
My publications include:
I Am Me, I Am, A Pearl's Wisdom Book. Hemmer, P. A. Serena(2020). https://www.amazon.com/Am-Me-Pearls-Wisdom-Books/dp/B08JJLMSB7.
I Don't Need Counseling. https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/i-don-t-need-counseling.
Is My Child Too Young for Counseling. https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/is-my-child-too-young-for-counseling.
The Empowerment of Homeless Women: Implications for Future Advocacy Issues
Seventh Annual Symposium on Undergraduate Scholarship. College of Arts and Sciences. Capital University.
Herndon, P. (former name) and Scherocman, J. (2002)
Depression: Developmental Considerations from Birth to Eighteen
Sixth Annual Symposium on Undergraduate Scholarship. College of Arts and Sciences. Capital University.
Herndon, P. (former name) Stattmiller, L., and Wernicke, C., (2001)
Specialties
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Gottman Method
- Hypnotherapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1134365984.
- LCSW · Florida · SW 14761 · Expires March 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Serena is the BEST - professional, knowledgeable, experienced, compassionate - I've been in therapy for years and she is hands down the best provider I have ever had!
Serena has been excellent. She is easy to talk to, understands my concerns, provides helpful suggestions and suggests good exercises that don't feel like busy work. She has gotten me to reflect on my situations in life and look them from a different point of view, which has helped to ease my anxiety.
Serena is the BEST! She is caring, professional, and extremely knowledgeable!!!
Rev. Hemmer has been a perfect match for me. BetterHelp's questionnaire really helped align me with the right therapist, so that is very appreciated. She is warm, kind, very spirtual and has immediately given me tools that are already helping me refrain my mindset. I look forward to the progress I believe I'll make with her guidance!
Serena has been a guiding force for me now for years. Truly a blessing from God, she has been there for me in the darkest of times and continues to help me radiate from the inside out. She has helped me discover myself and show up in this world healed and authentic. I owe so much to her and her endless care and support.
Serena is absolutely amazing! If you are also a spiritual person looking for a path to a better you, her unmatched expertise provides you with insights on how to be your best self. She listens and her welcoming aura helps you feel comfortable to just talk. She truly is the best and I can't thank her enough!
Serena is truly gifted! Her wisdom is rare and beyond enlightening!!! Her presence is calming and she is both efficient and remarkable - makes this process easy even amidst the internal chaos <3
She is a great listener and gives advice that are different from other therapist I’ve been to. She has been very good to me.
I have worked with Serena for over a year now and have found support in my daily life. Serena’s compassionate care and positive reminders to embrace all of me has been a blessing. I am grateful for our time together! If you’re seeking support and tools to manage your life, I recommend seeking out Serena.
Serena is more than competent to handle a large variety of issues and she has changed my life for the better starting on day 1. Her experience is shown in her educated replies to my concerns. She helps me stay action oriented and accountable.
A grounded sense of reason, inspiration and cultivation of my own identity has stemmed from Serena’s presence in my life. Her safe and outside perspective has helped me become reacquainted with my truest self and enlightened to the world around me. She has a truly transformational way of communicating to one’s soul without coming across abrasive or provoking. Everything she does is in love and it has been the best therapy I’ve ever experienced.
She is very patient and very knowledgeable. Kind and soft spoken, really makes your feel comfortable to open up.
I feel understood and safe
I am so thankful for her
Serena has been such a key piece in my progress mentally, physically and spiritually. She creates such a safe space and is very empathetic, compassionate and understanding. My strength, confidence and perspective on the world has been dramatically flourishing since therapy with her started. She helped reveal things within myself i knew i was capable but needed reassurance in. Life changing therapist and confidant.
She is so kind and has wonderful energy you can sense it, she listens to me and advises me i almost feel like she is my friend rather than my therapist. I am grateful for this service and support.
Rev Hemmer is amazing. I have been in therapy for a few months now and love it. The improvements I made in my communication skills and life coping skills are tremendous. I look forward to our session each week.
She's awesome, pleasant and warm! No judgement and gives me the tools I need to work on myself! No complaints!
Rev. Serena is a great therapist, she has knowledge and experience in life and she is a positive person. I like that she is a holistic energy healer because i do believe in energy which helps us share thoughts and ways. She understands my concerns and sends me worksheets to work on myself and i find it helpful for my therapy journey.
My sessions has been very helpful for me
Serena is so wonderful. Every time I have a session oil come away with such confidence and self reflection. She has a variety of literature, creative strategies and knowledge. I’m a much stronger person today because of her.
Even when i wasn’t able to connect with Serena i could feel the strength she helped me recognize within myself. She has helped me realize the calm and peace within is always available. Her presence has changed my life. I am so blessed to have someone and some place to be my true self.
This is a great service. I hope my company stays with it.
This beautiful soul has changed my life. Her presence and energy alone, even in the most challenging of times brings peace, comfort and warmth. She has helped guide me gracefully through the hardest period of my life and has helped me become aware of the divine power i have within. I would highly recommend Serena to anyone looking for a counselling experience that is interwoven with the power of spirituality. I am beyond grateful that when i needed a teacher and confidant the perfect one appeared. She’s been sent my way on purpose and i am forever blessed.
I’ve used Serena for years. She has helped me through so many issues and problems in my life. I still continue to use her tactics to this day and I often give them as advice to my friends going through tough times. I can’t recommend her enough! We’ve managed to stay connected through many transitional work. And Better help has connected us again! I would recommend her to anyone. She’s wonderful to work with and always listens and has great advice. She’s the best counselor of ever been to
I have found Serena to be very responsive, attentive and compassionate. She is a good listener. I particularly appreciate she calling attention to my own cognitive biases and proposing tools for me to explore in a very compassionate way.
Rev LCSW is amazing. I love how she ties in meditation, and the mind vs me into everything because I really believe that we are stronger than our minds even though it doesn’t always feel like it. Her techniques really work for me because I have concrete tools I can use when I spiral or when I’m feeling a certain way. I definitely feel that better help paired me with a therapist very well. We’re on opposite sides of the country and without Better Help I would never have met her. I’m grateful for this service as wish I had something like this way sooner in life. I also LOVE the journal that I can share with her. I used to send my boyfriend loooooong texts when I needed help and now our relationship is much better. Thank you!!
Serena has been very helpful to me, both by listening and providing me with support and advice, and by giving me some outside tools and techniques I can use to manage anxiety! She is very kind and openminded, asks thoughtful questions, and has helped me challenge some of my negative thoughts and look at where they might have come from!
Great counsellor, very empathetic, would recommend to anyone!
Beyond my expectations. Thank you Serena
She is lovely , very supportive and helpful and i would recommend her in a heartbeat
What a lovely experience my counselling journey has been with Serena’s presence. I experienced a space where i feel seen, heard and understood. Not only has she helped provided clarity for me, she has found a way for me to see the beauty and power i posses. I would highly highly recommend. She is a beautiful light, especially if you feel an inner darkness.
In just three weeks, she has given me tools that are improving my life every day. I love her.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer speak?
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer speaks English.
How many years of experience does Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer have?
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer has 20 years of experience.
Where is Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer licensed to practice?
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer is licensed to practice in Florida.
Does Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer offer?
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Hypnotherapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer?
Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.