Petra Gross , LPC

Petra Gross is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Virginia with ten years of clinical experience supporting adults facing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and family of origin concerns. She has a particular focus on supporting minorities and mothers across the stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, helping individuals find balance and strength during major life changes.

Petra cultivates a therapeutic space grounded in empathy, compassion, and acceptance where clients are listened to and treated with respect. Her style blends warm, client-centered engagement with careful accountability, encouraging clients to explore difficult questions while working toward meaningful, practical change.

Her approach is eclectic, drawing on evidence-informed methods with an emphasis on mindfulness and self-compassion to help people center themselves and manage stress. As an LPC - a state-licensed counselor trained to provide talk therapy and clinical support - she guides the first sessions toward building a collaborative relationship, clarifying goals, and identifying initial steps that can bring relief and momentum. Petra offers services in English, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, and works with adults navigating relationships, trauma, grief, identity and cultural concerns, and other life challenges.

Therapeutic approaches and online care with Petra Gross

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters most to them and take committed steps toward those values even when difficult thoughts and feelings appear. It is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions because it focuses on meaningful action alongside acceptance of inner experience.

Mindfulness therapy emphasizes present-moment awareness and gentle self-compassion. Through simple attention practices and learning to relate differently to stress, people often gain tools to reduce reactivity and create a steadier sense of balance during challenging times.

Client-Centered Therapy places the person's experience at the core of the work, with the therapist offering empathetic understanding and nonjudgmental support to help clients discover their own solutions and strengths.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Petra works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and practical needs, and she tailors methods so they fit the client's life and values rather than imposing a single technique.

Online sessions - including video calls, phone meetings, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility and easier access to care for busy schedules, parenting responsibilities, or those living far from in-person services. These options allow licensed professionals and therapists to meet clients where they are, making it simpler to maintain continuity of care while balancing everyday commitments.