“Will my life ever be the same?” “Will I be able to tell my therapist the scary thoughts I am having?”
The answer to these two questions is “Yes.” I have worked with many moms and moms-to-be that have had those exact thoughts. I am certified in the assessment, treatment, and advanced clinical practice of perinatal mood disorders. I trained under Karen Kleiman, well-known international maternal mental health expert, at her Postpartum Stress Center. She has authored many books including “This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression.”
Finding the right therapist can be challenging but can also be life altering. I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 22 years of experience in providing integrative therapy to clients that are 16 and older. Although I have several areas of expertise, I have a particular interest in working with women experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. I also work with clients experiencing challenging life transitions including adjustment to parenthood, grief and loss, stress, anxiety, and depression.
I graduated from Florida International University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and became licensed in 2006. I practice from a holistic framework and utilize a strength-based, solution-focused approach in my work. I believe in meeting my clients where they are and encouraging a collaborative approach. I incorporate stress reduction techniques, Winnicott’s holding environment and research on “the good enough mother,” mindfulness-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy,
It takes a courageous person to seek out help and take this first step you took. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
“I am a lighthouse rather than a lifeboat. I do not rescue, but instead guide others to find their way to shore.”
-Author Unknown
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To schedule with Serena, please email her directly: [email protected]. Serena is in network with Aetna, all Highmark Blue Shield plans, Independence Blue Cross, and Optum/United Health Care.