Virginia Hagen , LMHC

Virginia Hagen is a Florida-licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 35 years of professional experience helping people navigate depression, stress, anxiety, grief, eating concerns, family conflict, trauma, and a wide range of life transitions. She trained and practiced as a Registered Nurse for 50 years and is now retired from nursing, bringing extensive clinical experience from inpatient and outpatient mental health settings into her counseling work.

Hagen maintained a private practice in Crystal River, Florida for 10 years and has worked extensively with families and children, including those with special needs and ADHD. Her background includes substantial involvement in custody matters, where she has provided testimony in court on behalf of children. She also offers Christian counseling, informed by formal study and ministry experience.

After returning to school at age 60, Hagen completed a Certificate in Christian Studies (30 credits) at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2019, was ordained by the Federation of Christian Ministers in 2019, and served as a hospital chaplain intern during one semester of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. She focuses on creating an open, nonjudgmental environment and uses a range of tools and resources to help clients build skills they can use long term.

Hagen values lifelong learning and meaningful experiences that shape her practice - including a retreat in Assisi, Italy in October 2025 to reflect on the life and work of St. Francis of Assisi. She recognizes that beginning therapy takes courage and aims to support clients as they start their healing and growth.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Virginia Hagen uses well-established approaches to guide therapy and tailors them to each person's needs. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships influence current emotional patterns and interpersonal connections - it can be useful for issues like abandonment, attachment concerns, and relationship difficulties. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the client's own perspective and strengths; the therapist offers empathy and support while helping clients set goals and build coping skills for stress, depression, or life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to change them - it is often applied for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Hagen collaborates with clients to determine which combination of methods best fits their goals, preferences, and circumstances, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative process helps ensure therapy feels relevant and manageable.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter check-ins are possible through live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to access consistent care around work, family life, or mobility limitations, and they allow clients to engage in therapy in ways that fit their schedules and comfort levels.