My name is Liz, and I have 14 years of experience in the mental health field. Over the past 9 months, I have been practicing as a licensed professional counselor. I take an integrative approach to therapy, with a strong emphasis on practicing from a Humanistic stance, by integrating evidenced-based theoretical approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My eclectic approach allows me to tailor my work to meet the unique needs of each client, fostering a safe, supportive, and effective environment for growth and healing.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session it is my goal to get to know the client as the person they are. In this session I feel it is important to build a healthy working alliance by encouraging the client to share their thoughts and expectations of treatment. Clients can also expect to have their rights reviewed and for this counselor to review the limits of confidentiality and to provide the client an opportunity to share freely about their presenting concerns, goals, personal strengths, and review their biopsychosocial history.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe one of my greatest strengths is seeing the client for who they are, rather than focusing solely on their problems. I understand that each person is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. I am committed to helping clients become more self-aware, build personal resilience, and develop coping skills that empower them to create a solid foundation for a life worth living. I believe everyone has the potential for growth, and I work alongside my clients to help them realize that potential and move toward a more fulfilling life.
About Liz Serens
Liz Serens offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
My name is Liz, and I have 14 years of experience in the mental health field. Over the past year, I have been practicing as a licensed professional counselor. I take an integrative approach to therapy, with a strong emphasis on the evidence-based method of Person-Centered Therapy. This approach allows me to tailor the experience to meet each client’s unique needs while fostering a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment for healing and growth.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In my practice, I believe it is essential to utilize the evidence-based approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This method supports clients in learning to accept the challenging aspects of themselves, their environment, and the adverse experiences they’ve faced. By embracing these unwelcome parts, individuals can begin to challenge themselves, build confidence, and find a sense of safety. My goal is to help clients cultivate self-empowerment and develop a strong foundation that allows them to embrace discomfort, leading to lasting personal growth.
Humanistic
As a professional counselor, my priority is to create a warm, safe, and empathetic space for clients navigating life’s challenges. I believe it’s crucial to provide therapy through a holistic and humanistic lens, ensuring a strong therapeutic connection and collaborative client-therapist partnership. This approach allows me to truly understand each individual’s unique needs, fostering a supportive dynamic where meaningful growth and healing can take place.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I have extensive experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a core treatment method. Over the years, I have seen how effective CBT can be in helping clients gain insight into the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By working together to identify and challenge negative or unhelpful thinking patterns, clients learn how these thoughts influence their feelings and actions, often contributing to distress. I use CBT techniques in various ways, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. For instance, we may begin by exploring common cognitive distortions—such as black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, or overgeneralization—that often contribute to emotional discomfort. Through guided exercises and collaborative discussion, clients learn to reframe these thoughts into more balanced and realistic perspectives. I also incorporate practical CBT tools like thought records, behavioral activities, and cognitive modification skills. These techniques help clients practice new skills outside of sessions, reinforcing healthier ways of thinking and responding to challenging situations. By integrating CBT, I aim to empower clients with the tools they need to effectively manage their thoughts and emotions, leading to improved emotional well-being and a greater sense of control in their lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Throughout my years of practice, I have found Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to be a highly versatile and effective therapeutic method, especially because it is adaptable and culturally sensitive. My experience with DBT has shown that its structured framework and focus on practical skills can be beneficial for a wide range of clients, particularly those struggling with intense emotions, relationship difficulties, or self-destructive behaviors. In my practice, I use DBT to help clients develop skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. By integrating these core components, clients learn to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, tolerate distress without resorting to harmful behaviors, regulate intense emotions, and navigate interpersonal challenges more effectively. I tailor DBT techniques to fit each client’s unique cultural background and personal experiences, ensuring that the strategies we use are relevant and respectful of their individual values. For example, mindfulness practices can be adapted to align with a client’s cultural or spiritual beliefs, making the approach more meaningful and accessible. By incorporating DBT in a culturally sensitive manner, I aim to create an inclusive therapeutic environment where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.