About Beach Cottage Counseling

At Beach Cottage Counseling, therapy is designed to feel steady, human, and deeply supportive — a place where you can slow down, feel heard, and begin finding your way forward with greater peace and clarity.

We offer secure telehealth counseling throughout Florida and Virginia, along with walk and talk therapy, beach walk therapy, and nature walk counseling options in select communities including Pensacola/Perdido, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Chilhowie.

Whether you are seeking support for trauma, eating disorder recovery, body image, relationship pain, military life, or professional growth as a therapist, our team is here to meet you with compassion, clinical care, and respect.

⚓ Compassionate counseling in Florida and Virginia, anchored in safety, connection, and care.

Licensed Counselors

Professional counseling support from licensed clinicians serving clients throughout Florida and Virginia.

Walk & Talk + Online

Secure telehealth counseling in Florida and Virginia, with beach walk therapy, walk and talk therapy, and nature walk counseling options available in select communities.

Specialized Care

Support for trauma, eating disorder recovery, couples, military-connected families, and more.

Compassionate First Step

A calm, supportive process designed to help you feel safe, informed, and understood.

A Counseling Practice Anchored in Compassion

At Beach Cottage Counseling, we believe healing happens when people feel truly seen, safe, and supported — not rushed, judged, or expected to “have it all together.”

Our practice was built from a deep passion for holding space for the hard parts of life: the trauma that lingers quietly beneath the surface, the relationships that feel disconnected or strained, the food and body image struggles that can feel exhausting, and the seasons that leave people overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who they are becoming.

We know that reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, especially when you have spent a long time trying to move forward on your own. That is why we have created a counseling space rooted in compassion, authenticity, clinical care, and genuine human connection.

We work with individuals, couples, families, military-connected clients, and therapists who are ready to move beyond simply surviving and begin creating lives that feel more grounded, connected, meaningful, and peaceful.

Whether you are navigating trauma, eating disorder recovery, relationship strain, family stress, military life, or your own growth as a clinician, we are honored to walk alongside you.

We do not believe therapy is about “fixing” people. We believe it is about creating a safe and supportive space where healing, insight, and growth can unfold with care.

Life is not always smooth sailing, but with the right support, it can become a more peaceful journey.

At Beach Cottage Counseling, we are anchored in compassion — and committed to helping you heal, grow, and thrive.

Support for the Seasons That Feel Heavy

Every person comes to counseling with a different story. Some are carrying trauma. Some are trying to feel at peace with food and their body. Some are trying to reconnect in their relationship. Some are navigating military life, family stress, or the responsibility of caring for others as a therapist.

Wherever you are beginning, our goal is to help you feel less alone and more supported.

Supervision & Consultation

Clinical supervision and consultation for counselors seeking growth and support.

Learn More →

Couples Counseling

Strengthen connection, improve communication, and rebuild trust together.

Learn More →

Eating Disorder Recovery & Body Image

Support for healing your relationship with food, your body, and yourself.

Learn More →

Trauma & Nervous System Healing

Gentle, steady care to help your body feel safer, calmer, and more in control.

Learn More →

Military, Veterans & Families

Compassionate care for those who serve and the families​ who stand beside them.

Learn More →

A Different Kind of Counseling Experience

Therapy should not feel cold, rushed, or overly clinical. At Beach Cottage Counseling, we bring warmth, skill, and steady presence into every session. Our goal is to help you feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to keep going, and clear enough to take the next step.

We believe good therapy is both compassionate and clinically grounded. It honors the nervous system, the story, the relationship, the body, and the real life waiting outside the counseling room.

Warm + Clinically Grounded

You will be met with compassion and care, while still receiving thoughtful, professional support from trained clinicians.

Emotionally Attuned

We listen beyond symptoms and surface-level concerns so you feel understood as a whole person.

Collaborative and Steady

You are not pushed, judged, or rushed. We work with you at a pace that supports trust, safety, and growth.

Accessible in Florida & Virginia

With secure online counseling available throughout Florida and Virginia, we also offer beach and nature walks in certain areas in addition to our telehealth counseling.

Our Therapists

The relationship you have with your therapist matters. Our team is committed to creating a counseling experience that feels respectful, steady, and deeply human.

Each clinician brings professional training, personal warmth, and a commitment to helping clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow.

Meet Elizabeth Papa

Founder | LMHC, LPC, LPCC, RPT

Elizabeth Papa brings warmth, clinical experience, and a steady presence to her work with clients and clinicians. As a licensed counselor, qualified supervisor, and Registered Play Therapist, Elizabeth is passionate about helping people feel supported, understood, and more connected to themselves and others.

Her work includes support for eating disorder recovery, trauma healing, couples, military-connected families, and therapists seeking supervision or consultation.

Credential Details

  • Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, #MH16693
  • Qualified LMHC Supervisor
  • Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor, #0701006635
  • Qualified LPC Supervisor
  • California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, #2781
  • Registered Play Therapist
Beach Cottage Counseling Pensacola Perdido Key Florida main nav bar header logo
  • Licensed counseling professionals
  • Qualified supervision and consultation
  • Telehealth counseling throughout Florida and Virginia
  • Beach walk therapy, walk and talk therapy, and nature walk counseling options in select communities
  • Support for individuals, couples, families, military-connected clients, and therapists
  • Compassionate care grounded in clinical training and ethical practice

Credential Details

  • Resident in Marriage & Family Therapy (VA #0730000806)
  • Gottman Method, Level I & II

Meet Kassie Welch

Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy

Kathryn “Kassie” Welch, M.A., brings warmth, curiosity, and a steady presence to her work with adults and couples. As a Marriage and Family Therapy Resident, Kassie is passionate about helping people feel heard, understood, and more connected within themselves and their relationships.

Her work includes support for couples seeking healthier communication, deeper connection, trust repair, and steadier footing through life’s challenges, transitions, and relational stress.

Credential Details

  • Virginia Licensed Social Work Resident

Meet Jessica Ratcliff

Title(s) here

Jessica brings warmth, compassion, and a steady presence to her work with individuals, couples, teens, and children. As a pre-licensed Social Worker based in Virginia, Jessica is passionate about helping clients feel safe enough to share their stories, reconnect with their worth, and move toward healing with support.

Her work includes support for trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, relationship concerns, veterans, first responders, domestic violence, substance use, autism, and clients navigating painful patterns or life transitions.

Credential Details

  • Florida Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (RMHCI)

Meet Rochelle Banos-Diaz

Title(s) here

Rochelle Banos-Diaz brings compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a calming presence to her work with clients in Jacksonville, FL. As a bilingual Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, Rochelle is passionate about helping people feel supported, empowered, and understood as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions.

Her work includes support for anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorders, major life stressors, and clients from diverse backgrounds seeking healing, resilience, confidence, and meaningful change.

Licensed, Professional, and Rooted in Ethical Care

Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision. You deserve to know that the person you are meeting with is trained, licensed, and committed to ethical, compassionate care.

Beach Cottage Counseling is led by experienced clinicians who value professional excellence, emotional safety, and ongoing growth. Our team provides counseling and supervision with care, humility, and respect for each person’s story.

Telehealth Counseling in Florida & Virginia + Walk & Talk Therapy Options

Beach Cottage Counseling offers secure telehealth counseling throughout Florida and Virginia, along with beach walk therapy, walk and talk therapy, and nature walk counseling options in select communities. Whether you connect from the privacy of home or meet outside in a peaceful natural setting where available, our goal is to make compassionate care feel accessible, grounded, and supportive.

Pensacola / Perdido, FL

Coastal counseling support for individuals, couples, military families, and therapists in the Pensacola and Perdido area.

Jacksonville, FL

Compassionate counseling and online therapy access for clients in the Jacksonville area and throughout Florida.

Virginia Beach, VA

Support for individuals, couples, military-connected families, and clients seeking therapy in the Virginia Beach area.

Richmond, VA

Therapy and counseling support for clients in Richmond and throughout Virginia.

Chi​lhowie, VA

Grounded counseling support for clients in Southwest Virginia and surrounding communities.

Telehealth Counseling in FL & VA

Secure virtual therapy and telehealth counseling available throughout Florida and Virginia.

Investment in Your Care

Rates, Insurance, and Payment Options

At Beach Cottage Counseling, we believe that finding the right therapeutic fit is one of the most important parts of the counseling journey.

Our clinicians bring different levels of experience, advanced training, specialties, and service offerings, allowing us to provide support that meets a variety of needs and budgets.

Self-pay session fees generally range from $50–$175 per session, depending on the clinician, area of expertise, and session length.

During your free consultation call, we'll discuss:

  • Which clinician may be the best fit for your goals
  • Session fees and available service options
  • Insurance and out-of-network benefit questions
  • What to expect as you begin counseling

Our goal is to provide transparent, compassionate guidance so that you can make the decision that feels right for you and your family.

Complimentary Consultation

Not sure where to start? We offer a free consultation to answer your questions, discuss fees and insurance options, and help connect you with the clinician who best fits your needs.

Because counseling is an investment in your well-being, and finding the right fit matters.

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna
  • Florida Blue / BCBS
  • Cigna
  • Optum / United Healthcare
  • Humana Military + Tricare East, out-of-network options

Private Pay Options

Private pay options are available for clients who prefer not to use insurance or whose services are not covered by their plan.

What to Expect in Your First Visit

Your first session is not about having everything figured out. It is a place to begin.

We will take time to understand what is bringing you in, what you have been carrying, and what kind of support may be most helpful. You can share at your own pace. Together, we will begin identifying your goals, answering your questions, and creating a path forward that feels supportive and realistic.

You do not need to know the perfect words. You do not need to have everything organized. You simply need a place where you can start.

Step 1: Reach Out

Request an appointment or contact us with your questions. We will help you understand your options.

Step 2: Find the Right Fit

We will help you determine which service, clinician, location, or online therapy option may best support your needs.

Step 3: Begin with Support

Your first session will focus on safety, clarity, and next steps — without pressure or judgment.

Supporting the Growth of Fellow Clinicians

Beach Cottage Counseling is also deeply passionate about supporting the growth of fellow clinicians. We provide learning-centered individual and group supervision for pre-licensed counselors, creating a supportive space for developing clinical confidence, ethical decision-making, and authentic therapeutic presence.

We also offer continued support for licensed clinicians through consultation groups designed to foster connection, collaboration, ongoing learning, and sustainable growth in the mental health profession.

Supporting healers as they grow into grounded, compassionate clinicians is one of the greatest honors of our work.

Supervision and Consultation May Support:


  • Clinical confidence
  • Ethical decision-making
  • Case conceptualization
  • Professional identity development
  • Sustainable clinical practice
  • Connection with other therapists
  • Ongoing learning and growth

Is This the Right Place for You?

Beach Cottage Counseling may be a good fit if you are looking for therapy that feels warm, thoughtful, and collaborative. You may be seeking support for trauma, eating disorder recovery, body image, relationship strain, military life, family stress, or professional growth as a therapist.

You may also be looking for a counseling practice that feels less rushed and more relational — a place where you are treated as a whole person, not a problem to solve.

You do not need to know exactly what to say. You do not need to have the perfect words. You simply need a place to begin.

This may be a good fit if you want:


  • A therapist who listens with compassion and respect
  • Support that feels warm but clinically grounded
  • Help with trauma, eating disorder recovery, relationships, or military stress
  • Telehealth counseling throughout Florida or Virginia
  • Beach walk therapy, walk and talk therapy, or outdoor counseling options in select communities
  • Supervision or consultation as a developing or licensed therapist
  • A steady first step toward peace, clarity, and connection

Common Questions About Beach Cottage Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer telehealth counseling in Florida and Virginia?

Yes. Beach Cottage Counseling offers secure telehealth counseling for clients located throughout Florida and Virginia. Telehealth sessions allow you to receive compassionate counseling from the privacy and comfort of your own space.

Do you offer walk and talk therapy, beach walk therapy, or outdoor counseling?

Yes. Select therapists may offer walk and talk therapy, beach walk therapy, nature walk counseling, or outdoor counseling options in select communities including Pensacola/Perdido, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Chilhowie.

What types of counseling do you provide?

We provide support for trauma healing, eating disorder recovery, body image concerns, couples counseling, military service members, veterans, families, and therapists seeking supervision or consultation.

Do you help with eating disorder recovery and body image concerns?

Yes. Beach Cottage Counseling provides compassionate support for eating disorder recovery, disordered eating, body image distress, binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, orthorexia, and recovery after treatment.

Do you work with military service members, veterans, and families?

Yes. We support military service members, veterans, spouses, and families navigating trauma, deployment stress, reintegration, relationship strain, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions.

Can I ask questions before scheduling?

Yes. You are welcome to contact us with questions about counseling, telehealth, walk and talk therapy, supervision, rates, insurance, or therapist fit.

Is this form for emergencies?

No. This form is for general inquiries only and should not be used for emergencies or urgent mental health concerns.

Do you accept insurance?

Beach Cottage Counseling accepts Aetna, Florida Blue / BCBS, Cigna, Optum / United Healthcare, and Humana Military + Tricare East out-of-network options. Coverage can vary by plan, provider, service, and location, so we recommend confirming your benefits.

How much do counseling sessions cost?

Sessions begin at $120. Final cost may vary depending on service type, provider, insurance coverage, and payment method. Contact us for more information or check out our rates section by clicking here. 

Where does Beach Cottage Counseling provide services?

Beach Cottage Counseling provides secure telehealth counseling throughout Florida and Virginia. Select therapists may also offer walk and talk therapy, beach walk therapy, nature walk counseling, or outdoor counseling options in communities including Pensacola/Perdido, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Chilhowie.

What can I expect in my first session?

Your first session is a chance to share what has been bringing you in, ask questions, discuss your goals, and begin creating a supportive path forward. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin.

How do I get started?

You can begin by requesting an appointment or contacting Beach Cottage Counseling with your questions. Our team will help you understand your options and determine the best next step for your needs.

How soon will someone respond?

Response times may vary, but our goal is to follow up as promptly as possible and help you take the next step with clarity and care.

Do you offer supervision or consultation for therapists?

Yes. Beach Cottage Counseling provides supervision and consultation for therapists and clinicians seeking support with clinical growth, ethical decision-making, case conceptualization, and professional development.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

You do not have to navigate this season alone. Whether you are ready to schedule, or simply have a question, we invite you to reach out and begin with one steady step.

Contact Us

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.