Somatic therapy for a nervous system that will not settle.

Welcome

Most people think you’re doing fine. You show up, get through your day, and carry everything quietly. But inside, you may feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or exhausted from holding it all together.

I see you. And you don’t have to do this alone.Reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re used to being the strong one.

But therapy is not a sign of weakness, it is an act of courage. It is a space where you can finally exhale, reconnect with yourself, and begin to feel grounded, supported, and understood again.

Background:

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in Washington State, with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. I am trained in EMDR and trauma-informed approaches.

My path into this work comes from a deep passion for helping others heal, grow, and reconnect with their sense of self. I believe that everyone carries a story, and within that story is resilience, strength, and the capacity for change.

As both a therapist and trauma-informed yoga instructor, I bring a mind-body perspective into my work, recognizing that healing is not just cognitive, but also emotional, physical, and nervous system-based.

Approach

My approach is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental, while also being honest and supportive. I believe you are the expert of your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you, helping you reconnect with your inner strength and clarity.

I integrate a variety of evidence-based and holistic modalities, including EMDR, somatic and body-based practices, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation.

I specialize in working with individuals working through trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, relationship issues, women’s issues, and life transitions. Together, we will focus on helping you feel more grounded, build self-trust, develop healthier coping patterns, and reconnect with the version of yourself that feels strong, worthy, and empowered.

Next Steps

You don’t have to keep doing this on your own. Healing is possible, and you deserve support along the way.

If you’re ready to reconnect with yourself, build confidence, and move forward with clarity and strength, I invite you to reach out. You deserve to feel whole, grounded, and at peace. Let’s begin that journey together

Welcome! I’m Serena, and I am so glad you are here!

I am so proud and honored that you have decided to start your healing journey. You deserve an exciting and fulfilling life. You deserve to break the cycles, patterns, and behaviors that no longer serve you. You deserve a safe space to be heard, validated, and challenged as appropriate. I would love to be your partner as you do this and start this journey.

I view therapy as a partnership with you, the client, as the guide.  I use a client-centered approach and draw on motivational interviewing techniques and the stages of change to assess where my clients are on their journey, what changes they may want to make, and possible challenges we may need to address together. I often approach client experiences from a behavior change perspective and use problem-solving and brief solution-based techniques. I also frequently offer dialectical behavioral therapy-based skills and approaches to my clients, especially with coping with difficult experiences in the moment or assessing behavioral patterns. I draw on somatic techniques, often asking clients where they feel certain emotions or experiences in their bodies and exploring that with them. I believe our bodies are roadmaps, and our intuition is our best guide. I offer virtual therapy sessions to individuals 18 and older who are experiencing anxiety,  depression, suicidal ideation, grief/loss, and life transitions. I strive to be trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ friendly. At this time, I am not offering services to couples or families.

In the future, I hope to expand my practice to assist those experiencing the effects of trauma and PTSD, as well as eating disorders and chronic illness.  

I graduated with my Master of Social Work from Walden University in 2023, specializing in advanced clinical practice. I am currently a Licensed Social Work Associate working towards becoming fully licensed as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW) to best serve my clients and hold myself to the highest ethical standard of best practice and professionalism. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Seattle University.

I have much experience in crisis response as an emergency room social worker performing mental health and substance use assessments with the primary goal of referring out to the appropriate level of care and making crisis plans as appropriate.  

Outside of work, I enjoy the outdoors, painting, baking, and playing with my two cats.  

If you believe us to be a good match, please reach out, and I look forward to working with you!

As my client, I believe in and love your power to heal. My passion is to witness how you work on getting your needs met. I support you as you move closer to living in sync with your values. I help you reach your goals. I hold space for pain and celebration as you use your strengths to feel greater peace. 

As the daughter of two veterans of the Vietnam War, a parent of three adult children, and a former public school teacher, I sought therapy multiple times. I was lucky to have therapists who love unconditionally without passing judgment. I strive to give back what I have been given. 

Parenting and being parented can feel perilous. Sometimes, the family process breaks down, and people feel stuck. Good therapy helps people find their own strengths and use them to repair the broken process. Family members practice being close in ways that feel good. They practice being apart in ways that also feel good. Being close in some ways and apart in other ways helps people be authentic with themselves and trust each other. 

I know there is more than one way to peel a potato. Whichever way you lean, your values are what directs therapy. I offer more traditional therapies, e.g., Solution-Focused, Narrative, Cognitive Behavioral, and  Emotion-Focused. I also offer less conventional therapies, e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Collaborative  Problem Solving, Polyvagal, and Internal Family Systems. Together, we create your treatment plan as indicated by your attachment strategies and your trauma responses.  

I help individuals, couples, relationships, and families with a variety of concerns, including couples/parenting/being parented in blended families, gender identity in families, power, belonging,  trusting one’s feelings and thinking, racial bias, systemic racism, internalized oppression, trauma,  and military life. 

I am licensed as a marriage and family therapist associate (LMFTA) in the state of Washington (license number MG61287102). I earned my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University Seattle (2021) and my bachelor’s degree in English from New Mexico State University (1992). I work under the supervision of Issy Kleiman, LMFT, an AAMFT-approved supervisor. 

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA) in Washington State. I work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families working through life’s challenges – whether that’s relationship stress, anxiety, depression, major transitions, or the quiet feeling that something in life just isn’t working the way it used to. My goal is to offer a warm, collaborative space where you can feel heard, supported, and understood as you explore what’s been weighing on you and begin creating meaningful change.

My Background

My path to becoming a therapist began with a deep curiosity about people and the ways we connect, heal, and grow. I earned my Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical and Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. My professional experience has included supporting clients across the lifespan – helping teens manage identity and school-related stress, adults move through anxiety and life transitions, and couples improve communication and connection.

My Approach

Therapy with me is collaborative, conversational, and grounded in compassion. My foundation is person-centered therapy, which means I believe you are the expert of your own life. My role is to help you access your inner wisdom, build clarity, and find tools that support you in living with greater authenticity and ease.

I integrate evidence-informed modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) concepts, mindfulness, and Polyvagal Theory. Together, we’ll explore patterns, strengthen emotional awareness, and develop practical ways to support resilience and connection.

What to Expect

I believe true healing happens when we feel deeply understood. In our work together, I aim to help you feel more grounded and centered, and to guide you toward a greater sense of clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. Whether you’re seeking therapy for yourself, your relationship, or your family, you don’t have to go through it alone. It takes courage to begin, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward wellbeing.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA) with a Masters degree in Marriage and  Family Therapy. I graduated from Antioch University, where I also earned a certificate in Sex Therapy. To  me, therapy is an incredible tool for healing, exploration, and liberation. I am specially trained in lending  a neutral ear as you work through new truths and find growth in old wounds. As a relationship therapy  specialist, I know that enriching connections to Self, Partners, Family, and Community are key to  achieving the high quality of life that you deserve. My role is to help you gain confidence, truth, and a  chance to re-write your life’s narrative. I work with individuals, people in relationships (couples, spouses,  polycules, etc.), and families of all kinds. I draw from a strengths-based humanistic approach that is  collaborative, flexible, and client-centered.  

My Approach:  

My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and curious. I use empathetic listening skills with an  emphasis on exploring personal and relational meaning. With these tools, I can help you seek a fuller  understanding of yourself and your connections to the world.  

I am particularly excited to work with individuals and couples grappling with sex and intimacy issues,  gender dysphoria, anxiety, depression, shame, self-esteem, and trauma. I fully support and affirm BIPOC,  LGBTQIA+, polyamorous, kink, BDSM, and other marginalized communities.  

Focus Areas:  

Depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, body image issues, relationship issues, self-esteem, sex  therapy issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, spirituality  

Treatment Approaches:  

Treatment is shaped by the unique needs of each client. I clinically gravitate to the following modalities  and principles; Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Structural Family Therapy,  Internal Family Systems, The Wheel of Consent, Polyvagal Theory, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative  Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy