Larry Baumgartner, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in solution-focused brief therapy, opened Best Hope Therapy’s new office in Palencia in June 2025. He said that, while he has been providing therapy to Florida clients for 10 years, he wanted to establish an office in St. Johns County to better serve both local couples and individuals.
“The Palencia location offers a comfortable, private setting where I work primarily with couples navigating relationship stress, communication difficulties, infidelity recovery and intimacy concerns, as well as individuals seeking emotional support during challenging periods,” he said.
The office creates a calm atmosphere where people are comfortable to open up and work toward meaningful change.
Baumgartner said he grew up watching his parents maintain a strong marriage, which led him to pursue a career as a therapist, specifically one that focused on helping relationships succeed.
“I earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and became a licensed marriage and family therapist, specializing in couples and relationship work,” he said. He had worked in television news previously and learned a lot about how different people navigate communication and stress, which has helped him in his career today.
“My practice focuses on helping people move forward in practical, meaningful ways so they can experience stronger connection and stability in their relationships and lives,” he said.
When asked what he likes best about what he does, Baumgartner said he values the opportunity to help people experience meaningful change. He explained that relationships affect nearly every part of our emotional well-being and can have a major impact on daily life.
“When couples or individuals begin to feel more understood, connected and hopeful, that shift often carries into many other parts of their lives,” he said.
He said many clients reach out when they’re going through a difficult time and that there is something meaningful about being invited into people’s lives when they feel vulnerable. He also likes seeing practical progress and seeks to help people make real-life changes.
“Ultimately, I feel fortunate to do work that centers on connection, growth and the possibility of relationships becoming healthier and more supportive,” he said. “Seeing people regain hope or stability in that part of their lives is what I appreciate most about being a therapist.”
Baumgartner explained that Best Hope Therapy specializes in solution-focused therapy, which emphasizes spending time on the changes clients want to experience instead of spending a long time analyzing problems.
“Many people enter therapy already aware of what isn’t working in their relationship. What they often need is help identifying how to shift interactions in ways that improve connection and reduce conflict,” he said. Concentrating on workable steps can lead to faster results and create renewed hope in their relationship.
Baumgartner also launched a monthly group called Guys Conversation Group at the Palencia office. The first meeting was held on Feb. 21.
“The group was created to offer men in the community a comfortable, respectful setting to talk openly about life challenges, relationships, stress and personal growth with peers who may be navigating similar experiences,” he explained.
He said there are not many outlets for men to have meaningful conversations in places that feel natural. This group provides the opportunity for men to have discussions about relationships, communication, work and family stress without pressure or expectations. The group meets monthly and Baumgartner’s goal is to make it easier for men in St. Johns County to access supportive conversation.
“The goal of Best Hope Therapy is to provide a respectful, practical place where people can work toward healthier relationships and a stronger sense of stability in their lives,” Baumgartner said.
To learn more, go to https://besthopetherapy.com.
