LPC, 16 years of experience
I’m Liz Serens, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience supporting adults through anxiety, ADHD, mood shifts, PTSD-related symptoms, relationship dynamics, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and rooted in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing and growth can flourish. I integrate CBT, DBT, ACT, and Humanistic modalities to support clarity, emotional safety, and meaningful change. My clinical foundation was shaped early through lived experience—growing up alongside my father, Dr. David Hartman, a psychiatrist and disability rights advocate. His memoir White Coat, White Cane chronicles his journey as the first blind physician to graduate medical school in the U.S. Supporting his work and speaking publicly as a teen instilled in me a lifelong commitment to inclusive care and strengths-based advocacy. One of his guiding beliefs continues to shape my work: “Everyone is disabled.” This reminds me that every client carries invisible challenges—and that healing begins when those challenges are met with dignity, curiosity, and care. I occasionally use constructive self-disclosure to support insight and trust—always with intention, boundaries, and respect for your therapeutic goals. I also use secure tools to support accurate, Therapy should feel empowering—not overwhelming. Whether you’re navigating neurodivergence, relational boundaries, or simply seeking a space to be heard, I’m here to walk alongside you with insight, respect, and unwavering support.
In our first session, we’ll slow down and get grounded. You’ll have space to share what brings you in, what’s been weighing on you, and what you’re hoping to shift. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to understand your story, your strengths, and your goals—without rushing into solutions or labels. You don’t need to rehearse or have everything figured out—just come as you are. Before we meet, you’ll complete a brief intake form so I can understand your goals, needs, and preferences. Sessions are structured to support clarity and emotional boundaries. I use planner systems, workflow adaptations, and secure tools to help you leave with a sense of completion—not overwhelm. Whether you’re ready to dive in or still exploring what you need, I’ll meet you there—with insight, respect, and unwavering support.
I am a compassionate therapist with deep personal and professional insight into resilience, self-advocacy, and adapting to life’s complexities. Growing up in a family impacted by substance use and disability, I understand how these experiences shape identity and mental health. My expertise in parenting, family dynamics, and identity exploration allows me to approach therapy with both empathy and practical guidance, creating a supportive space for growth and healing.
I help young adults transitioning into independence, individuals facing midlife changes, and those struggling with self-worth, substance use, or life transitions. My clients want growth but need the right tools—I help them uncover strengths, set goals, and develop coping strategies for lasting change.
I use Person-Centered Therapy to create a space where clients feel safe leading the conversation. My role is to reflect, support, and stay attuned to what feels meaningful to you. Sometimes that includes constructive self-disclosure, such as sharing a brief example from my own experience to normalize a feeling or reduce shame. For instance, if a neurodivergent client says “I always mess up deadlines,” I might gently share that I also use color-coded systems and visual cues to support executive functioning. It’s not about shifting focus. It’s about modeling self-compassion and showing that adaptation is valid. You set the pace and I follow with warmth, respect, and transparency.
I use ACT to help clients make space for hard thoughts without getting stuck in them. For LGBTQ2+ and neurodivergent clients, this often means working with beliefs like “I’m not doing it right” or “I feel broken.” We notice those stories, clarify your values, and take steps that feel meaningful even when things are uncomfortable.
I use Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to help clients challenge rigid, self-defeating beliefs—especially those shaped by perfectionism, shame, or high-pressure expectations. REBT goes deeper than CBT by targeting the beliefs underneath your thoughts and helping you build more flexible, self-accepting ways of thinking. I’ve applied it across settings, including with clients in active recovery after relapse, where reframing beliefs like “I’ve ruined everything” can support emotional clarity and resilience.
I use CBT to help clients notice stuck thought patterns and shift them with practical strategies. As someone who lives with a disability and grew up with a disabled father, I understand how constant criticism can shape beliefs like “I always ruin things.” Together, we slow down, explore where those thoughts come from, and build kinder, more accurate ways of thinking that support growth.
I use DBT techniques to help clients feel more steady in the chaos. We build skills to manage intense emotions, set boundaries, and stay in the here and now when things feel overwhelming. Whether you're navigating relationship stress, big transitions, or just trying to cope day to day, we practice tools like mindfulness, meditation, and emotional regulation to support clarity, self-respect, and healthier ways to respond. I often use the feeling wheel to help clients name what they’re experiencing, even when it feels like “nothing.” Numbness is a feeling too, and recognizing it can be the first step toward reconnecting with emotion, language, and self-awareness. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to start.
13 ratings with written reviews
August 15, 2025
I've had 5 sessions with Liz, and at each one, she's been insightful and pointed out things that I had been unaware of or unwilling to see in myself. She's kind and thoughtful, and often uses anecdotes from her own life to explain things, which, at least to me, makes her feel relatable and personable. She also gives me goals to work towards, recognizes when I've done something difficult, and celebrates my wins with me. It's been a pleasure having sessions with Liz & I look forward to continuing!
July 9, 2025
She was willing to let me change the topic of conversation and talk about issues that were personally bothering me the most, even if we weren't necessarily talking about that. I like how she was very open minding about my experiences, and was willing to talk through them.
June 28, 2025
Liz was super warm and inviting and kind through it all!! I appreciated her insights and questioning and I feel very confident moving forward with her.