Kelly Dzioba is under the supervision of Qualified Supervisor Amanda Vargo, LMHC of Empowered Wellness in Orlando, FL

Therapist

Kelly Dzioba

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Individual Therapy

Specializing in Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety, Infertility Challenges, Life Transitions, Burnout, and Anxiety Support

I realized I was burnt out for a long time and rebuilt my work life balance. Building mom friendships and asking for help were essential to my support system. I became passionate about perinatal mental health and decided to change careers to help others during this vulnerable chapter, and through other life transitions.

I returned to graduate school at Wake Forest University for three years, where I recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

I am accepting new clients and would love to help you find a work/life balance and prioritize your needs. We all deserve to be happy!

What Is It Like To Work With Me?

I'm down-to-earth, warm, and here to really get you. I won’t judge where you’ve been or how you're feeling. I’ll meet you in the mess, help you make sense of it, and walk with you as you start to feel more like yourself again.

Schedule Free Consult

St. Pete Perinatal Therapist

My journey began growing up in a small town in Vermont followed by pursuing a financial corporate career that took me to New York City then Miami. I was so proud and relieved to receive a great job after graduating in the recession and never had the luxury to wonder if I was happy on this path. I was traveling almost weekly and working long hours. When I wasn’t in the office, I was always checking emails. I didn’t question this lack of boundaries with work because this is what’s expected these days.

Sound familiar?

A year after I married, my husband was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. With warning of potential infertility issues down the road from the doctor we chose cryopreservation in the weeks leading up to his chemotherapy treatment. In that very short span of time, we found out I was pregnant. While we were grateful for the miraculous timing, my pregnancy was anything but joyous as I spent the next 6 months caring for a sick husband. The caretaking role took a toll on me, but I was too focused to notice.

After our baby girl was born, I found myself anxious, down, and exhausted. Everyone had told me it would be the best experience of my life. What a gift! What a joy! Yet, I didn’t share this sentiment, so I felt alone, confused, and ashamed.

I realized I was suffering from postpartum anxiety.

A woman sitting on a bed with her hands covering her face, visibly distressed, symbolizing the emotional struggle of infertility—support available from a therapist for women in St. Petersburg, FL.

I had experienced trauma with my husband’s cancer diagnosis. I was robbed of the happy pregnancy experience I had always imagined. I was too damn sleep deprived to even see the signs. I was confused by who I became in this new role of motherhood. I remember thinking: will I ever feel normal again?

I sought therapy and underwent a deep journey to discovering my new identity as a mother. I processed the trauma I underwent. I learned to regain my confidence and combat mom guilt. (And hey, dad anxiety is real too!).

Therapy changed my life!

I realized I was burnt out for a long time and rebuilt my work life balance. Building mom friendships and asking for help were essential to my support system. I became passionate about perinatal mental health and decided to change careers.

I returned to graduate school at Wake Forest University to pursue a masters in clinical mental health counseling. I am currently in practicum and internship at Sunshine City Counseling.

I would love to help you find a work/life balance and prioritize your needs. We all deserve to be happy!

Take Our Anxiety Quiz

We all live with some form of anxiety. It is a normal and good thing to have varying levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that fuels anxiety. What is not normal is when it begins to interfere with daily life and cause other symptoms like ringing in the ear, insomnia, lack of appetite, anxious attachment, and so much more.

We put together this quiz to help you better understand at what level you are experiencing anxiety and if it is significant enough to get counseling for your symptoms of anxiety.

Take Free Anxiety

Therapist in St. Petersburg, Fl Reviews

Kelly is one of those rare individuals who practices fredenfreude, a genuine felt and expressed joy in the successes of others- and her conspicuous gratitude for the support of those around her makes her own achievements even more vibrant.

colleague
Kelly is a thoughtful, determined, compassionate person with an intrinsic drive to help others.

Colleague

Training & Qualifications | Mental Health Therapist in St. Petersburg, FL

Qualifications and Credentials

Kelly blends formal training, lived experience, and professional advocacy to support women navigating motherhood, identity, and mental health.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Wake Forest University
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern at Sunshine City Counseling
Completed training with the Postpartum Stress Center (Karen Kleiman’s perinatal program)
Undergoing Tholage training, specialized trauma training, along with continued education through Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Presented for the past two years at the Women’s Mental Health Conference at Yale University as a subject matter expert on maternal mental health, and provided guest teaching on perinatal mental health for Wake Forest University
Published in two scholarly journals on topics related to perinatal/maternal mental health
Kelly is a (post-graduate) Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, and provides therapy under the supervision of Amanda Vargo, LMHC, QS. This allows you to receive high-quality care at a more accessible rate while benefiting from a collaborative team approach.

Areas of Expertise

Anxiety & Overthinking – Quiet the mental noise and find calm.
Burnout & Stress Management – Reclaim your energy and set sustainable boundaries.
Depression & Low Mood – Feel more like yourself again with gentle, supportive care.
Postpartum Anxiety & Postpartum Depression – Compassionate care through the ups and downs of motherhood.
Infertility & Fertility-Related Stress – Navigate the emotional impact of fertility challenges with care and support
Life Transitions & Role Changes – Adjust to new seasons of life with clarity and confidence.
Self-Esteem & Identity Work – Reconnect with who you are and what matters to you.
Work/Life Balance – Build a life that feels more spacious, aligned, and fulfilling.

Start Therapy in St. Petersburg, Fl

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Schedule Your Free Consultation

Finding the right therapist is important, so we offer a free consultation to discuss your needs and match you with the perfect therapist. Choose a time that works for you, and we’ll handle the rest.

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Connect With A Therapist

Once scheduled, you’ll meet with your therapist either online in a secure, confidential session or in our therapy offices in South Pasadena, Fl. Our compassionate team of therapists are experienced in anxiety, depression, and more.

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Start Your Therapy Journey

Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of online therapy, we’re here to support you. From short-term guidance to ongoing therapy, we’ll help you navigate life’s challenges with care, flexibility, and expertise—wherever you feel most comfortable.

Kelly’s Therapy Approach | Individual Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL

Kelly offers a warm, relational approach to therapy for women navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, and postpartum challenges. She integrates the following modalities based on your needs:

Internal Family Systems (IFS):
Helping you understand and care for the different “parts” of you that show up in stress, self-criticism, or emotional overwhelm
Narrative Therapy:
Exploring the stories you’ve been told—or tell yourself—and gently rewriting them in a way that honors your growth
Trauma-Informed Care:
Supporting you in healing past pain at your pace, with safety, consent, and compassion
Mindfulness & Somatic Practices:
Guiding you to reconnect with your body, calm your nervous system, and feel more grounded
Values-Based Goal Setting:
Clarifying what matters most to you so that therapy supports real-life change, not just insight
Compassion-Focused Therapy:
Replacing inner guilt and shame with gentleness, especially around motherhood, identity, and life transitions.

A mother sitting in bed reading a book with her baby, looking overwhelmed, portraying the emotional challenges of postpartum depression—support available from a therapist for women in St. Petersburg, FL.

Frequently Asked Questions About Working With Kelly Dzioba

Kelly specializes in working with women (17+) navigating anxiety, burnout, postpartum challenges, and major life transitions. She’s especially passionate about supporting new moms, women feeling overwhelmed by work/life balance, and those struggling with self-worth or identity.
Your first session with Kelly is all about getting to know you. You’ll talk about what’s been bringing you in, what you hope to work on, and how therapy can support your goals. It’s a no-pressure space to be heard, ask questions, and begin building a connection. Kelly will go at your pace and meet you exactly where you are.
Kelly works with women (17+) who are navigating anxiety, stress, postpartum depression and anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. She’s especially passionate about helping new moms, women adjusting to major changes, and those feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of who they are anymore.
Sunshine City Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not accept insurance directly. However, we’re happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Many of our clients use their HSA or FSA cards as well.