Kathryn Bliss’s path into mental health counseling has been anything but linear, and that breadth of experience allows her to connect with individuals from many different backgrounds. She began her college education at Flagler College in St. Augustine before transferring to Florida Atlantic University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Later, while raising her two sons, she returned to school and completed her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling through the University of South Florida and the University of Sarasota.
Kathryn has worked across a wide range of mental health settings throughout her career. She began on the psychiatric unit at Venice Hospital and went on to work in substance abuse programs, crisis stabilization units, and mobile crisis response, often partnering with law enforcement to assess individuals in urgent situations. She has also worked within school systems, teaching anger management and substance abuse prevention, and contributing to the training of Guardian ad Litems.
As her career progressed, Kathryn developed a short-term residential treatment program in Tampa and later served as director of a program focused on supporting adults aged 65 and older with mental health needs. She has also worked closely with children facing developmental challenges and trauma, particularly those with limited access to care.
For several years, Kathryn has brought this diverse experience into her private practice, where she provides counseling to adults and older teens. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, life transitions, and other mild to moderate mental health concerns. She is known for her supportive, practical, and down-to-earth approach, creating a space where clients feel comfortable, understood, and equipped with tools they can apply in their daily lives.
Kathryn also brings personal insight into her work, having experienced anxiety and panic attacks herself earlier in life. With time, support, and the same tools she now shares with her clients, she was able to work through those challenges. This experience continues to shape her approach, allowing her to connect with clients in a genuine and empathetic way while reinforcing her belief that meaningful change is possible.
Originally from a military family, Kathryn moved frequently throughout her childhood and lived in several states, including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, New Jersey, and California, before her family settled in Fort Lauderdale during her middle school years. As an adult, she moved to Sarasota County, where she has lived ever since. While not a Florida native, it has been home for most of her life.