If you are considering starting therapy, congratulations on already taking the first steps toward prioritizing your mental health! I believe it takes courage to be vulnerable and ask for help when life becomes overwhelming. Therapy is much more than chatting with an unbiased third party; it is about having someone to cheer you on as you make steps toward your goals. As your therapist, I serve you by coming alongside you to guide you, see the best in you, and support you in creating the life you want to see. I specialize in teens and young adults dealing with eating disorders or body image concerns, anxiety and mood disorders, or those struggling with difficult relationships or life transitions.

I use an integrative approach of Person-Centered, Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical-Behavioral, and Acceptance & Commitment techniques, which essentially means I will use evidence-based strategies while tailoring sessions to your specific needs. As your therapist, I will help you to balance overwhelming thoughts and incorporate necessary changes into your life in order to achieve a greater sense of peace and wellbeing. Within sessions, I seek to create an inviting, warm space to allow you to bring your authentic self, integrate your values within each session, have the freedom to set goals that are most important to you, and be celebrated for stepping out in the courage that it takes to be vulnerable.

Serena graduated with a Master’s in Child/Adolescent Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University and with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Neuroscience from North Dakota State University. She has experience working with adolescents and their families on the Residential Eating Disorder Recovery unit at Rogers Behavioral Health-Oconomowoc and has worked with individuals of all ages in intensive inpatient mental health settings and community services. She looks forward to continuing her work with clients looking for help with body image concerns, anxiety disorders, or other stressful life situations.

Serena is under direct supervision by Julianne Morrison LPC NCC, and works out of the Cedarburg office. She can be contacted at serena@kettlemorainecounseling.com or (414) 909-2229 to see if she can be part of your next steps toward wellness.