Hey there! My name is Brenna Pezo and I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern here at Coastal Wellness. I know that finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, so I’d like to tell you a little more about myself.

 I’ve worked in the Mental Health field for 10 years in various settings: community outreach programs, inpatient/outpatient facilities, hospitals, substance use programs, and private practice. I love working one-on-one with individuals as they work through what is holding them back and become empowered to move forwards. It is beautiful to watch the light come back on in someone.

But what got me interested in mental health? My community. Born and raised in Brevard County, I have seen and felt the impact of prescription drug use on the community since I was a teenager. Losing friends to drugs and alcohol made me want to provide hope, education, and support to the community that I love. It also spurred my own quest for improving my mental and physical health. I sought my own therapy, joined a gym, and learned about taking care of my body through movement and nutrition. I learned the importance and purpose behind small daily habits.

I have witnessed and experienced the importance of the mind-body connection and now approach clients through this lens. I am a certified nutrition coach and use this to help clients tune in to and improve their mind-body relationship.

 My first job post-college was working with traumatized children in a residential setting. Seeing how unresolved trauma affected children in emotional and physical ways made me want to pursue a graduate degree as a mental health counselor. I wanted to be able to get to the depths of their trauma and help them find their way out. Eventually I shifted my focus to working with adults who have experienced trauma.

 At Coastal Wellness, I work with individuals age 18 and up who want to work through depression, anxiety, life transitions, substance use, self-esteem, trauma, and nutrition coaching. I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) therapy to help clients work through trauma and change negative beliefs to positive ones. I have found this modality to be the most solution-focused and effective way to work with traumatic events, while still honoring that mind-body connection.

Taking my therapist hat off, I love to travel, play with my dogs, and spend time with my family. I also own and operate a Sober Living program for adult men, which definitely keeps me busy! I find a powerful connection when I am outside, soaking up the details of nature. Hiking, snowboarding, Crossfit, and running are some recent hobbies of mine! If you read this and think “I can relate” or “Maybe I’ll give this a try”, I encourage you to reach out to us at Coastal Wellness. 321-757-4015