- Years in practice
- 14
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- North Carolina
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Self esteem
- Focus
- Bipolar disorder
About Etta
Etta "Serena" Faison is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, bipolar mood concerns, and parenting challenges. She brings 14 years of experience and a straightforward, supportive approach. Serena treats each person as the expert in their own life and looks for strengths to build on.
Her sessions aim to be practical and respectful. She listens first, then helps clients set clear, realistic goals.
Background and approach
Conversations focus on what is happening now and on small steps that can create real change. Serena uses methods that include cognitive behavioral ideas and mindfulness skills to manage upsetting thoughts and emotions. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help people clarify values and take meaningful action.
Client-Centered principles guide how she responds in session, with attention to empathy and collaboration. Parents often come with burnout, trouble sleeping, or struggles over behavior and boundaries. Serena helps parents sort priorities, handle day-to-day stress, and develop manageable routines.
She also addresses related concerns like grief, relationship strain, addiction, and caregiving stress. Sessions are conversational and aim to leave people with tools they can use between meetings. Over time the focus can shift from coping skills to longer term goals like rebuilding confidence and improving communication.
Serena practices in North Carolina as an LCSW and works in ways that respect each person’s pace and goals.
What Etta works with
Everything Etta lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Etta helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Etta lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Evidence-informed approaches for online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for managing anxiety, depression, and life changes by focusing on meaningful goals rather than avoiding difficult feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and change patterns in thinking and behavior that feed stress and low mood. It often helps with insomnia, anxiety, and mood symptoms by breaking problems into manageable steps. Mindfulness Therapy supports attention to the present moment and simple practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm; it can be helpful for stress, anger, and emotion regulation.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and daily life. That process can involve trying a few techniques and adjusting based on what helps most.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video calls are good for full conversations and nonverbal cues, phone sessions can fit a break at work or require less bandwidth, and chat or messaging can work for quick check-ins or ongoing written reflection. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around a busy schedule.
Questions people ask about Etta
What concerns does Serena commonly address?
She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, parenting strain, and related issues like grief, addiction, and caregiver stress.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is practical and collaborative. She listens first, then works with clients to set clear goals and practice useful skills between sessions.
What is her professional background?
She has 14 years of professional experience and frames therapy around each person's strengths and priorities.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an LCSW credential and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages are supported and can she see international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not accepted at this time.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does payment and cost work?
Costs vary with location and therapist arrangement; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with her?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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