Anchor of Hope offers counseling amid life’s struggles

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When overwhelmed by life’s many stresses, it can be a great comfort to speak with a good listener in a soothing, welcoming environment. 

Kelly Roberts M.Ed., LPC, LMHC of Anchor of Hope Counseling, provides “a safe refuge from the storms of life.” She has been a licensed therapist for several years. Her office is a quiet, homey place where she helps clients overcome depression, anxiety, grief, loss and other issues. She provides care to men, women and teen girls age 16 and older. She specializes in helping women with the unique issues they face.

For older clients who may not be able to travel, Roberts makes home visits — including visits to senior living communities.

Roberts is a certified counselor with Focus on the Family and is adept at working with people of faith.

“I do offer Christian counseling,” she said, “but you don’t have to be a Christian to see me.”

Her faith in Jesus Christ is her source of strength in her life, but she doesn't impose her faith on others. She enjoys helping people regardless of their beliefs, as people experience the same pain and troubles in life.  

Roberts has experienced significant loss. Because of this, she understands much of what many of her clients are going through. She found what she calls her life verse at the age of 17 — John 10:10.

John 10:10 ESV: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Until recently, Roberts had been practicing out of Crosswater Community Church in Nocatee, but a friend suggested that she needed her own office. So, in February she moved her practice to the Nocatee Town Center at 360 Town Plaza Ave., Suite 315E, Ponte Vedra. She has been married to husband Don for 10 years and has two children and two stepchildren.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas and a postgraduate degree in counselor education from the University of North Texas. Her education only tells part of the story. She has had many diverse experiences throughout life that make her the counselor she is today. She’s been a homeschooling mom and a pastor’s wife. She has worked for Southwest Airlines and at a daycare facility.

Regarding her career of choice, Roberts worked as a school counselor from 2011 to 2014 while living in St. Louis, Missouri, after which she was an independent practitioner. She moved to Ponte Vedra in 2020, and opened an office off State Road A1A, later transitioning to the Nocatee area.

She encourages her clients to make interpersonal connections with other people — as opposed to the kind of superficial connectivity offered by social media.

“Research shows that if you’re on more than two social media sites, you have increased anxiety and depression,” she said.

She expressed a concern that society has become so unconnected that people are experiencing the highest rate of loneliness ever.

While her younger clients are especially affected by social media and self-imposed pressure, their parents are faced with issues related to the struggles of their teenage children. Older parents often find themselves cut off from their adult children because of abuse, conflict over money, dysfunctional communication, etc.

In addition to her private practice, Roberts has started an informal monthly group for women who have lost a child or children. The next meeting is Monday, March 6, at Timoti’s Seafood Shak. Those interested in joining can call or email her for information.

She also recommends Grief Share, a support group for people who have had a close loved one pass away. It can be found through griefshare.org/findagroup. 

To connect with Roberts at Anchor of Hope, request an appointment at kellyrobertscounselor.com. Click the “contact” link to send an email or go to the client portal to request an appointment. People can also call her at 904-606-9566 or send her an email at kelly@anchorofhopecounselor.com. She can also be found at the Psychology Today site at psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kelly-roberts-ponte-vedra-fl/232288 and on NextDoor.