Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Gerbig.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve spent nearly 30 years as a therapist, and throughout that time I’ve had the privilege of working in community mental health, medical settings, and private practice. Each role taught me something different, but the common thread I saw was how often women were quietly carrying anxiety, burnout, and the weight of life transitions on their own.
Seaside Mental Wellness grew out of my vision to create a supportive space just for them — a place where therapy feels like a pause button in the rush of everyday life. My practice focuses on helping women navigate anxiety, emotional burnout, and the changes that come in midlife, including perimenopause and menopause.
I built Seaside as an online practice to make therapy more accessible and less stressful. Therapy at Seaside is collaborative, solution-focused, and personalized so that my clients can receive the emotional support they need without the stress of traffic, waiting rooms, or taking extra time off. All that’s needed is a quiet space and an internet connection, and women across Florida can have the support they truly deserve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the first things I realized when I opened Seaside is that nothing gets done unless I do it. Building a private practice meant pouring my heart and soul into figuring out how Seaside could stand out in a town already filled with a multitude of quality therapists.
The marketing and branding became both a challenge and a passion. Over time, I’ve created brochures, flyers, and therapeutic guides that reflect Seaside’s coastal-boho vibe. I’ve seen the way people immediately respond to that sense of calm and serenity. I also rebuilt the social media presence from the ground up. It’s still a small account, but it’s a mighty one — and what makes it unique is the mutual support between Seaside and other local businesses.
Stepping into the owner role last August was both scary and exciting. I no longer had the restrictions of the corporate world, but I also didn’t have the built-in support of a group practice. I’ve had to draw on my years of experience and the wisdom of incredible female leaders I’ve worked alongside to create my vision of Seaside.
Another change has been letting go of my other roles. I have been providing counseling in medical settings, but I recently stepped away from that to dedicate myself completely to Seaside, which is now open five days a week.
Like so many women, I juggle a lot of roles — wife, stepmom, therapist, content creator, photographer — and finding balance is an daily challenge. Time management and tools like calendars and planners help me stay organized and feel accomplished, even when the to-do list is longer than the day.
I use the Grow Therapy platform to sync with my calendar. This makes scheduling easier for my clients in addition to processing insurance claims quickly and becoming credentialed with 33 insurance plans — including Medicare — so that I can serve women of all ages.
Every challenge has taught me something valuable and helped me build a strong foundation for Seaside to grow on.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Seaside Mental Wellness?
Seaside Mental Wellness is an online therapy practice based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, supporting women across the state who are navigating anxiety, emotional burnout, and midlife transitions — especially the seasons of life that can feel overwhelming, like perimenopause, menopause, caregiving, and career changes.
What sets Seaside apart is that it offers women a calm, supportive space designed for slowing down, reflecting, and focusing on themselves. Clients often share that they leave sessions feeling lighter and equipped with practical tools they can use in everyday life.
“Therapy at Seaside feels like a pause button in the rush of everyday life.”
The Seaside brand is intentionally different from a traditional clinical practice. Its coastal-inspired, boho aesthetic was designed to create a sense of serenity, calm, and balance. From therapeutic guides to local resources, every detail reflects a commitment to making therapy approachable and practical.
Seaside is also deeply rooted in the community. Collaborations with local women-owned businesses and resources like the Preferred Providers Guide — which highlights practitioners who share Seaside’s values of warmth and compassionate care — have helped define the practice as more than just therapy. At Seaside, the focus is on the whole client — supporting emotional wellness and encouraging physical wellness through trusted local providers. This holistic perspective reflects what Seaside is known for: professional expertise combined with a warm, calming presence.
In 2025, Seaside was honored as the Regional Winner for Best Therapy Practice by the Guide to Florida and recognized as the Silver Winner for Best Local Therapist in SRQ Magazine’s Best of 2025. While these awards are meaningful, they also reflect what clients experience — that Seaside is a trusted space where women can feel seen, supported, and empowered to move through life with greater confidence and balance.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The qualities that have been most important to my success are compassion and consistency. Clients often describe therapy at Seaside as calming, grounding, and insightful — where they can finally let go of the pressure to hold it all together. I believe that the combination of warmth and consistency, paired with a solution-focused approach, allows women to feel truly seen and implement practical tools they can use in everyday life.
On the business side, resilience and creativity have been just as important. Growing Seaside into what it is today meant stepping out beyond the therapy room — developing resources, shaping a brand identity, building community partnerships, and redefining how I connect with clients online. Those skills weren’t part of my role in traditional therapy settings, but they’ve become essential to making Seaside a practice that feels both professional and approachable.
I think my success comes from bridging the two — compassion and consistency that clients feel in session, and the resilience and creativity it takes behind the scenes to build a practice that truly serves women in every season of life.
Pricing:
- $175 for Individual Therapy
- INN with 33 Insurances
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seasidementalwellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasidementalwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeasideMentalWellness
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seaside-mental-wellness/
Image Credits
Photos of Gail Gerbig by Melissa Tarani Photography
