
Online Anxiety Counseling Throughout Florida
Empowering adults to overcome their anxiety, strengthen relationships, and build confidence to lead richer, more fulfilling lives
Hi, I’m Patricia…
I’m a registered mental health counseling intern from St. Petersburg, Florida— that just means I have my master’s degree and am working under the guidance of a fully licensed therapist while I support you. So, you get both my care and a little extra clinical backing along the way! :)
I’m passionate about helping ambitious adults overcome their anxiety so they can live less in their head and more connected to life
I aim to empower those who feel lonely, burdened, and drained to improve their self worth, wellbeing, and share their unique gifts with the world. Going on that journey of self discovery and constructing a life that is aligned with your authentic self not only frees you from that revolving door of overwhelm but allows you to plug into a rich life where you’re connected to yourself and others while doing the things you love.
I want to help people shed the layers of expectations and conditioning to uncover who they truly are and to realize that peace and happiness comes from being in alignment with their true self.
Just a side note! I’m only offering virtual therapy services at this time, so you can get the support you need from the comfort of your own space. Whether you're curled up on your couch or taking a quiet moment in your office, online sessions provide the same deep, meaningful work—without the stress of commuting. Wherever you are in Florida, I'm here to help you reconnect with yourself and build the life you want.
Florida Counseling Services
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Heal Relationship Anxiety
If you catch yourself overthinking or shutting down at the first sign of discomfort in your relationships:
I help you build self trust and confidence in the relationships you form while healthily navigating conflict and balancing your needs
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Navigate Major Life Changes
Big life changes can leave you feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and like you’ve lost touch with who you are:
I help you make sense of all the emotions, questions, and solutions moving forward, so you don’t have to carry it all by yourself
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Recover from Burnout
You might feel like you’re stuck in an endless cycle of exhaustion, defeat, and frustration and have tried everything to get out:
I help you identify your deeper needs so you can create a lifestyle that leaves you feeling energized and centered while balancing your responsibilities
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Virtual EMDR Therapy
Anxiety and unresolved emotional wounds are heavy burdens, leaving you stuck in patterns that don’t serve you:
EMDR helps you reduce anxiety and overwhelm so you can feel lighter, more in control, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges without the constant weight of worry or fear
What Others Have to Say
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Patricia is a compassionate, intelligent, authentic therapist. Creative and driven, she stays current with evidence-based practices and is dedicated to her clients' well-being. A truly caring and knowledgable professional that helps clients grow.
Gertie Mallard-Teal, Counselor, MS, LMHC, C-DBT
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Patricia embodies deep wisdom and takes a holistic, integrative approach to therapy. She fosters radical self-compassion and creates a healing space rooted in understanding rather than pathologizing
Shaundra McGuire, Counselor, MA, Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
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Patricia is a trustworthy colleague and clinician. She is warm, friendly, compassionate, and educated which shows in her work with her clients.
Julia Monte, Counselor, MA, LMHC
Rates
50 Minute Individual Therapy Session: $150
While I don’t accept insurance, I have partnered with Mentaya to help clients use their out-of-network benefits to save money on therapy. Use the benefit checker tool below to see if you qualify for reimbursement for our sessions!
Request a Free 15- Minute Phone Consultation
patricia@zanderpsychotherapy.com
(727)859-6516
475 Central Ave STE 300B
St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
FAQ’s
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Our first session, known as the intake session, is 90 minutes and $225. Every 50-minute weekly session after the initial intake is $150. I do reserve some spots on my caseload for sliding scale fees, we can discuss your needs during our consultation call.
I know starting therapy is both an emotional and financial investment, and it’s completely normal to have mixed feelings about that. My goal is to make sure you feel that the time and space we create together are truly valuable; a place where you can grow, find clarity, and build lasting change.
Therapy isn’t just about problem-solving; it’s about building a supportive, consistent relationship that helps you feel understood and capable in new ways. I’m happy to talk through any questions you have about cost, frequency, or what this process might look like for you. We’ll always make decisions together, with your comfort and needs in mind.
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Many specialty providers, myself included, do not participate in insurance plans. Things can get a bit tricky with privacy, confidentiality, and flexibility when insurance gets involved. Insurance companies also require a written and recorded diagnosis which will stay with your file forever, and has the potential to raise your premiums.
However, if you’d like to use your benefits, there are some ways we can still work together:
I accept FSA/HSA cards as forms of payment
You can check your out of network benefits on my reimbursement calculator above to get an individualized estimate of what your costs will be for our sessions
I can provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement
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I will provide you with a receipt known as a superbill on the first day of each month that you can provide to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Best practice is to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask the following questions:
Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage? Am I able to use these benefits for telehealth?
What is my out-of-network deductible?
How much of my deductible has been met this year?
Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?
What percentage of outpatient psychotherapy sessions are covered per session?
How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?
How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?
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Think of our first meeting as a gentle starting point, not something you need to “get right.”
We’ll begin by going over a few basics, like the forms and assessments you completed electronically, just to make sure everything feels clear. From there, we’ll spend most of our time simply getting to know you: your story, what’s been feeling hard lately, and what you hope for from therapy.
There’s no rush or expectation to share everything at once. We’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable and respectful of where you are right now. My role is to create a space where you can exhale a bit. A space where you feel heard, understood, and supported as we start to build trust and understanding together.
The first session is really about connection. By the end, my hope is that you leave feeling a little lighter, more grounded, and with a clearer sense that this can be a space that’s truly for you.
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Each session is a space that’s entirely yours. A place where you can show up just as you are, without needing to have a plan or say the “right” thing. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and our time together is about exploring what feels most important to you each week. Some days that might mean processing something specific that happened; other times, it’s simply checking in and seeing what comes up.
I’ll be there to gently guide our conversations, help you notice patterns, and support you in finding your voice. It’s completely okay if the idea of weekly therapy feels a bit overwhelming at first. We’ll go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Over time, these sessions often become a steady rhythm of care and reflection; a space where you can learn to trust yourself more deeply and experience what it’s like to be truly heard and understood.
Much of the healing that happens in therapy comes from the connection we build together. As we get to know each other, that relationship becomes a safe foundation for growth, healing, and self-discovery.
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There’s no set timeline for therapy because everyone’s journey looks a little different. The pace of healing depends on many things like: what brought you here, what’s happening in your life outside of sessions, and the kinds of support you already have around you.
Some people find that a few months of weekly sessions help them feel more grounded and confident, while others choose to continue for a year or longer as they keep growing and deepening their self-understanding. There’s no “right” length of time, it’s really about what feels most supportive and sustainable for you.
We’ll talk openly about your goals and progress along the way, so you’ll always have a clear sense of where you are in the process. When you reach a place where things feel more settled and you’re ready to take what you’ve learned into daily life, we’ll decide together how to wrap up. That ending is a meaningful part of therapy too, it’s a time to reflect, celebrate growth, and make sure you feel equipped moving forward.
My goal is for therapy to feel like something you choose because it’s helpful, not something you’re stuck in. We’ll move at a pace that feels steady, intentional, and truly yours.
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In the beginning, sessions are usually held once a week. Meeting regularly helps us build a solid connection and create the consistency that makes therapy effective. It gives us space to really get to know each other and to stay connected as you begin to notice changes and patterns in your life.
That said, therapy isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” Some weeks may feel heavier or more emotional, while others might be quieter or more reflective. Both are normal and valuable parts of the process. If weekly sessions ever start to feel like too much, we’ll talk about it together. The goal is always to find a rhythm that feels supportive, not stressful.
Over time, after about 4-6 months, as you begin to feel more grounded and confident, we may decide together to meet less often, perhaps every other week or monthly, until you feel ready to wrap up. We’ll move through those transitions intentionally and at a pace that feels right for you.
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At this time, I’m only offering virtual sessions to clients throughout Florida. I know online therapy can feel a little unfamiliar at first. Some people wonder if it will feel the same as meeting in person or if it might be harder to connect. What most clients find, though, is that once we settle in, it feels surprisingly natural and personal.
Meeting virtually allows you to join from a space where you feel comfortable; your couch, a quiet corner, even your parked car between commitments. It removes travel time, makes scheduling easier, and gives you more freedom to fit therapy into your real life.
What matters most isn’t the physical setting, but the sense of connection we build together. My focus is on creating a space that feels safe, warm, and genuinely supportive, even through a screen. Many clients actually find it easier to open up from the comfort of their own environment, which can make our work together even more meaningful.
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In most cases, I don’t provide formal diagnoses unless it’s truly necessary. For example, if you need one for certain resources, referrals, or a higher level of care. My goal is to understand you as a whole person, not to define you by a label.
I know that the idea of being “diagnosed” can feel uncomfortable or even scary for some people. You might worry it means something is “wrong” with you, but that’s not how I see it. I believe many of the patterns or responses we develop are actually creative ways we’ve learned to cope with difficult experiences. In our work together, we’ll explore those patterns with curiosity and compassion, not judgment.
If at any point a diagnosis could be helpful for your care or access to services, we’ll talk about it openly and decide together what feels best. My focus is always on understanding your unique story and supporting your healing in a way that feels safe and empowering.