Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer

Rev. Peggy Ann "Serena" Hemmer helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma, depression, parenting challenges, and questions about identity and intimacy. Serena also supports those dealing with sleep problems, anger, low self-esteem, career changes, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. She works from a broad set of concerns, including family and caregiving stress, chronic illness, codependency, and issues that stem from family of origin.

Serena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, with 21 years of clinical experience. She brings a holistic view to sessions, noticing how thoughts, body sensations, and values connect. She blends practical talk therapy with expressive activities when helpful, especially with younger clients who communicate through play and art.

Her background includes work in county and state mental health and substance abuse settings before entering private practice. She has led expressive arts programs in residential treatment and designed workshops for professionals and families on topics such as maternal depression, recovery, and aging. Serena draws on a variety of creative practices she has studied, including movement and visual arts, in her clinical work.

Serena uses a mix of evidence-informed and experiential approaches such as Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Existential Therapy, and the Gottman Method. She also integrates hypnotherapy and spiritual life coaching for clients who request that focus.

Clients describe a style that values exploration, creativity, and practical tools. She aims to help people notice patterns, try small changes, and build routines that ease daily life and relationships.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationship patterns and how early bonds affect current connections. Online work can help people name those patterns and practice new ways of relating in everyday life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches concrete skills to change them, which fits well with short exercises and homework between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to reduce reactivity and improve relationships, and it often uses clear, step-by-step skills practice.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and try different ways of working until you find what helps. That means a mix of talking, skill practice, and creative activities when they suit your needs and preferences.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow brief check-ins when a quick plan is needed, and reduce travel time. Some approaches, like CBT and DBT skill work, adapt well to remote sessions because they use structured exercises and between-session practice. The therapist can discuss practical arrangements and tailor the format to your schedule and goals.