Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Kuhn.
Hi Jerry, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Tampa, Florida, and after high school found myself at a crossroads—searching for direction, purpose, and meaning. That journey led me to enlist in the U.S. Navy, where I proudly served for more than 23 years, retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During my service, I developed a steady, practical approach to leadership and resilience—values that continue to shape how I show up today as a therapist.
Following my military retirement in 2004, I transitioned into corporate Human Resources, eventually serving as Director of Training for a Fortune 500 company. While the work was professionally rewarding, I felt drawn toward more meaningful, one-on-one connection—supporting people through personal challenges rather than organizational ones. That calling led me back to school, where I earned my M.S. in Counseling and Psychology with honors in 2012.
I began my clinical work as a middle and high school counselor in Bradenton while completing my post-master’s internship toward licensure. Working closely with adolescents, families, and educators deepened my passion for helping individuals navigate overwhelm, emotional stress, and life transitions with greater confidence and clarity.
In 2017, I founded Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center in Englewood, Florida, with the intention of creating a calm, supportive space where adolescents and adults feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, overwhelm, focus challenges, substance-related concerns, and major life transitions. My approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and trauma-informed, with an emphasis on practical tools that support lasting change. I also partner closely with parents, helping them navigate the school system and advocate for their children’s educational and emotional needs.
Family is central to my life and values. I am married to my wife, Dana, and together we raised five children—an experience that continually informs my perspective, empathy, and understanding of the real-world challenges families face.
As Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center has grown, services now include both in-person and virtual therapy. To support busy professionals and families, we offer flexible afternoon and evening appointments. My goal is to make therapy feel approachable, supportive, and grounded—helping clients feel steadier, more capable, and more hopeful as they move forward.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Military life was hard. Don’t ever let anyone fool you into thinking joining the military is your “way out.” I endured several long deployments, which ultimately cost me my first marriage. After retiring from the military, I made my way back to Florida and met my current wife, and helped raise her three teenagers. Together, we have five beautiful children who are all out on their own doing amazing things.
Returning to graduate school in my late 40s was also a challenge, as I balanced full-time work with evening and weekend classes.
Ultimately, it all paid off: I love my life, I am surrounded by positive influences, and I am blessed to make a difference in people’s lives every day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center?
I founded Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center to create a therapy practice that feels grounded, human, and genuinely supportive. My work centers on helping adolescents and adults navigate anxiety, trauma, grief, and major life transitions in a way that feels safe, practical, and sustainable.
I specialize in anxiety and trauma-related concerns, including chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, and periods of change that can leave people feeling stuck or disconnected. My approach is trauma-informed and nervous-system focused, often incorporating grounding skills, regulation strategies, and the Cortina Method for Trauma Resolution. This allows clients to process experiences gently, without feeling overwhelmed or re-traumatized.
What sets my practice apart is the belief that therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken—it’s about helping people reconnect with their own resilience, insight, and capacity for growth. Sessions are collaborative, individually paced, and rooted in deep respect for each client’s lived experience.
I’m especially proud of the brand I’ve built around warmth, trust, and integrity. Every part of Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center—from the language I use to the way sessions are structured—is intentionally designed to feel calm, approachable, and steady. Clients often report feeling seen, understood, and empowered, rather than rushed or labeled.
I offer therapy in my Englewood, Florida, office and provide secure Telehealth services throughout Florida and now, Tennessee, allowing clients to receive consistent, high-quality care in a way that fits their schedules and energy levels. Above all, I want people to know that Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center is a place where therapy feels human, healing feels possible, and meaningful change is supported at a pace that truly honors the person.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me through individual therapy at Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center, where I offer in-person and secure, virtual sessions for adults seeking support with anxiety, trauma, grief, and major life transitions. My practice is grounded in a thoughtful, trauma-informed approach.
I welcome professional partnerships, referral relationships, and opportunities to collaborate on education, wellness initiatives, and community-based mental health efforts. I’m especially open to working with organizations that prioritize nervous-system health, emotional well-being, and sustainable, whole-person growth.
Those who wish to support my work can do so by sharing trusted resources, promoting mental health awareness, and helping reduce the stigma around seeking care. At its core, Lemon Bay Mental Wellness Center is about connection, collaboration, and creating spaces where support feels accessible, safe, and genuinely human.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lemonbaymentalwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonbaymentalwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemonBayMentalWellness/
