What types of therapy do you offer?

We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, trauma therapy, grief and loss counseling, and psychological testing. Our clinicians are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, and other evidence-based modalities. Match the modality to the person, not the other way around.

Do you offer LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy?

Yes. All clinicians on our therapy team provide LGBTQIA+ affirming care. This is not a specialty track — it is built into how we work with every patient.

Can I do therapy via telehealth?

Yes. We offer HIPAA-compliant telehealth therapy for patients located anywhere in Florida. You can also see any of our therapists in person at Wesley Chapel, Tampa, or Lakeland.

Does insurance cover therapy?

Talk therapy at Ascend is primarily fee-for-service. We provide detailed superbills you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. Some therapists accept specific insurance plans — call (813) 670-3005 to confirm your provider's network status.

How often do I need to come to therapy?

Most patients start with weekly sessions, then transition to every other week or monthly as they progress. Your therapist will recommend a cadence based on your goals and clinical picture.

What happens in the first therapy session?

The first session is an intake. Your therapist gets to know you, understands what brought you in, and builds a treatment plan together with you. No pressure to share more than you are ready to.

Ascend Mind and Body Lakeland therapy office — therapy and counseling hub

Accepting New Patients · 8 Licensed Therapists

Therapy that meets you where you are.

Personalized individual, couples, family, and trauma-informed therapy led by Kaylee Mills Brenneman, LMHC and our team of licensed clinicians. LGBTQIA+ affirming. CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, and ERP. Psychological testing on-site. In-person across Wesley Chapel, Tampa, and Lakeland — or telehealth anywhere in Florida.

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Trauma-Informed Psychological Testing Intern Sessions · $75

Book a Free Consult Meet the Therapists

8 licensed therapists

LGBTQIA+ affirming

3 offices · telehealth statewide

CBT · DBT · EMDR · IFS · ERP

Kaylee Mills Brenneman, LMHC — Therapy Lead and Clinical Supervisor at Ascend Mind and Body, Lakeland

Therapy Lead · Lakeland

Your therapy team lead

Kaylee Mills Brenneman, LMHC

Ed.S · MEd · Licensed Mental Health Counselor · Clinical Supervisor

"The right therapist makes all the difference. That's why we don't just hand you an open slot — our intake coordinator personally matches every new patient with the clinician whose training and approach actually fits their situation."

CBT & DBT Trauma-Informed LGBTQIA+ Affirming Couples & Family Adolescents & Adults Medicare · UHC In-Network

Book a Free Consult Meet the Full Team

Pillar four of four

The work that holds it all together.

Therapy that meets you where you are.

Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, life changes, or emotional wellness, our licensed therapists are here for you. Our Lakeland practice is led by Kaylee Mills Brenneman, LMHC with a team of 8 licensed clinicians plus graduate interns drawing on CBT, DBT, IFS, ERP, EMDR, and trauma-focused care.

We are LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma-informed, and committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space for people of all gender expressions, cultures, and backgrounds.

8 Licensed Clinicians Plus supervised graduate interns for lower-cost access

5 Modalities CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, ERP — matched to your situation

3 Office Locations Lakeland, Wesley Chapel, Tampa — plus statewide telehealth

$75 Intern Sessions Supervised by licensed team — making therapy more accessible

Quiet morning light — representing the calm space Ascend creates for therapy

Safe space · 3 offices + telehealth

The Ascend approach

Therapy matched to you, not a waitlist.

Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, life changes, or emotional wellness, our licensed therapists are here for you. Explore your potential with our compassionate support.

Our Lakeland practice is led by Kaylee Mills Brenneman (Ed.S, MEd, LMHC, Clinical Supervisor) with a team of 8 licensed clinicians plus graduate interns. We draw on evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, IFS, ERP, and trauma-focused care — and we match each patient with the therapist whose training and approach best fits their situation.

We are LGBTQIA+ affirming, trauma-informed, and committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space for people of all gender expressions, cultures, and backgrounds. With expertise in therapy and psychological testing, we rarely need to refer patients elsewhere.

What sets us apart

Therapy done differently.

Four standards we hold ourselves to that make us different from generic insurance-mill therapy practices.

Individual, family & couples.

Matched to your needs and your therapist's specialty — not just whoever has the next opening.

ii.

LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Multiple providers with specific training and lived experience. A safe, non-judgmental space for people of all gender expressions and cultures.

iii.

Trauma-informed modalities.

CBT, DBT, IFS, ERP, EMDR, and trauma-focused therapy. Evidence-based approaches matched to your situation.

iv.

Testing on-site.

Full ADHD, autism, and learning assessments with fast turnaround — from Dr. Alex Roberts, PhD, our licensed clinical psychologist.

Evidence-based · individually matched

Therapeutic approaches.

Five evidence-based modalities our team draws on — plus on-site psychological testing. Every patient is matched with the right approach for their situation, not a generic one-size protocol.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Evidence-based approach for anxiety, depression, OCD, and phobias. Focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought and behavior patterns with structured, practical tools.

Book a Session

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Skills-based therapy for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. Especially effective for BPD, chronic self-harm, and intense emotional reactivity.

Book a Session

EMDR

Structured therapy for processing traumatic memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing helps reduce the emotional charge of trauma and PTSD without requiring extensive verbal retelling.

Book a Session

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

A model that works with different parts of the self to understand internal conflicts, heal wounds, and build integration. Especially effective for complex trauma, shame, and emotional disconnection.

Book a Session

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)

The gold-standard treatment for OCD. Gradual, structured exposure to anxiety triggers with prevention of compulsive responses — supervised by a clinician trained specifically in OCD.

Book a Session

Psychological Testing & Assessment

Full ADHD, autism, giftedness, and learning assessments on-site — from Dr. Alex Roberts, PhD, our licensed clinical psychologist. Most practices refer this out. We do it in-house with fast turnaround.

Meet Dr. Roberts

Your therapy team

Meet Our Therapists

Kaylee Mills Brenneman

Ed.S · MEd · LMHC · Clinical Supervisor

Clinical Supervisor leading the Lakeland therapy team. Personalized counseling for individuals and families.

Lakeland

Dr. Alex Roberts, PhD

HSP-P · Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Psychological and psychoeducational testing. ADHD, giftedness, learning differences, autism.

Lakeland

Ashley M. Spring, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Bilingual LCSW specializing in trauma-informed therapy, adoption services, ADHD, and family care.

Wesley Chapel · Lakeland · Tampa

Shelby Gaudette, LCSW

MSW · DBT-Informed Therapist

Safe, non-judgmental space for all gender expressions and cultures. DBT, OCD, anxiety, LGBTQIA+.

Lakeland

Skyler Anderson

RMHCI · Mental Health Counselor

Specializing in trauma, PTSD, chronic illness, anxiety, and depression. Telehealth and in-person.

Wesley Chapel · Lakeland · Tampa

Ondina G. Waldron, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Licensed mental health counselor providing individual and family therapy.

Lakeland

Antonio Garland

RMFTI · Marriage & Family Therapy Intern

Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern providing individual and family therapy under supervision.

Lakeland

Plus graduate interns Madeline Weber, Ashley Huston, Collin Chapman, and Monica Southers.

Conditions We Treat

Our licensed therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches for a wide range of mental health conditions.

Anxiety & Worry → Depression → Trauma & PTSD → PTSD → Grief & Loss → OCD → Life Transitions → Generalized Anxiety Disorder →

Fees & insurance

Accessible therapy. Honest pricing.

Therapy at Ascend is primarily fee-for-service. We provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Kaylee Mills Brenneman is in-network with Medicare and UnitedHealthcare.

Self-Pay Rates

Transparent

Individual therapy session50 minutes · licensed clinician $175

Follow-up session30 minutes · ongoing care $140

Intern session50 minutes · supervised by licensed team $75

Intern sessions are offered at a reduced rate for patients who want to make therapy more accessible. All interns are supervised by our licensed clinical team.

Insurance Accepted

In-Network

Medicare UnitedHealthcare

Credentialing in progress for 14+ additional carriers under Kaylee Mills Brenneman, LMHC.

Out-of-network? Most therapists are fee-for-service. We provide superbills so you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement from your insurer.

Call (813) 670-3005 to confirm your specific carrier and provider matching.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

How do I know which therapist is right for me?

When you call or book online, we'll ask about your concerns, preferences, and goals. Our intake coordinator matches you with the therapist whose training and approach best fits your situation. If it's not the right fit after the first session, we'll help you transition to another provider on our team.

Do you offer couples or family therapy?

Yes. Several of our therapists specialize in couples work and family systems therapy. Ashley Spring, LCSW is especially experienced with adoption-related family work, and Antonio Garland is a registered marriage and family therapy intern.

What does LGBTQIA+ affirming mean?

It means we welcome and support people of all sexual orientations and gender identities without judgment. Multiple providers on our team have specific training in LGBTQIA+ care, and we work to create a space where you can be fully yourself.

Can my therapist coordinate with my psychiatrist at Ascend?

Yes. That's one of the biggest advantages of coming to an integrated practice. Your therapist and psychiatrist can share notes, coordinate medication adjustments, and align on your treatment plan — without you having to relay messages between separate offices.

Do you accept insurance for therapy?

Kaylee Mills Brenneman is in-network with Medicare and UnitedHealthcare, with credentialing in progress for additional carriers. Most other therapists are fee-for-service. We provide superbills so you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement from your insurer.

I've seen five therapists before Ascend. Kaylee is the first one who actually got me. She didn't just recite CBT buzzwords — she adapted the work to my life, my pace, and my nervous system.

8 Licensed Therapists · Accepting New Patients

Start with a free consult.

Tell us what you're working through. Our intake coordinator will match you with the right therapist, verify your benefits, and get you on the calendar within one business day.

Book Your Free Consultation (813) 670-3005

Reduced-fee intern sessions starting at $75 · Telehealth available statewide