This is the page dedicated to my work as a psychotherapist. You may wonder, what kind of therapist links her work as a writer and as an artist to her professional work?

I believe that the creativity and many of the skills of both painting and writing inform my work as a therapist. In therapy, we combine the best research with unique strategies for your particular situation and traits. In the same way, there are disciplines and skills in writing and painting that must underlie the creation of ideas, the identification of patterns and motifs, and a sense of the balance of the big picture.

I’m Dolores (Dr. Lori) Puterbaugh, a licensed mental health counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist in Florida. I am an approved supervisor for registered mental health counseling and marriage and family therapist interns. I’ve been in private practice since January 1999. I work with individuals, couples, and families, and lead workshops and retreats.

In the past, I have been a graduate instructor for Troy University (Alabama, at their Tampa, FL site) and the University of Arizona, and taught undergraduate courses for St. Petersburg College, Florida.  I have been commissioned in Lay Pastoral Ministry by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and for ten years was a weekly on-air guest on WBVM Spirit FM 90.5 in Tampa.

My primary volunteer ministry is GriefShare, and I facilitate two offerings of GriefShare per year at St. Matthew Catholic Church, in Seminole, Florida.

My primary approach to therapy is presently on relatively short-term, solution focused strategies to build on client strengths. Understanding patterns, scaffolding new ways of thinking and behaving, and developing a balanced, peaceful life are important goals.

Until October 2018, my office was at 801 West Bay Drive, Largo, FL. During 2018, Fr. Tom Anasthasius, the then-pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church, and Fr. Len Piotrowksi, pastor of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, made it possible for me to move my private practice onto their campuses. This allowed me to reduce my fee and move to an all-sliding scale approach. I see clients by appointment at St. Matthew Catholic Church Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at Espiritu Santo on Tuesdays. I am phasing out the Espiritu Santo location and will cease practice there on March 24, 2026.

You can reach me by email at drloriputerbaugh@earthlink.net. My office number is 727-559-0863. I do not set appointments by email, as I believe it is important to speak with potential clients before setting an appointment. This way we can both discern if your goals and my practice, and availability, are a good fit.