Sebrena Abanum
Hello! My name is Sebrena Abanum and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). I identify myself as a Black, Millennial therapist who has a passion for destigmatizing mental health. I have been serving clients since 2016. While gaining my professional experience, I've had success in working with a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relational issues just to name a few. I hold a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University.
I identify myself as a Black, Millennial therapist who has a passion for destigmatizing mental health.
First session
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, review intake documents and develop treatment plan goals; goals that you would like to work on with me in therapy.
Strengths
My ability to utilize a collaborative approach with clients is my greatest strength. It allows me to utilize a warm, and non-judgmental approach. I value the therapeutic relationship and identify the therapeutic relationship as a road trip where you're the driver and I'm riding "shotgun (passenger)."
Ideal clients
I typically work with adults who are navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, low mood, and the effects of mild to moderate trauma. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward, and they’re looking for a supportive space to make sense of what they’re experiencing.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I assist clients in increasing their self awareness by challenging and reframing their negative thoughts and behaviors to improve their behaviors. CBT is a giant umbrella, which means I can utilize CBT to educate you on what you're experiencing, to explore and identify useful coping skills and to teach you various and numerous skills to decrease your irrational thinking
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I utilize ACT to help clients in developing psychological flexibility. I use the ACT workbook to help clients optimize active engagement within their lives. I help clients identify their values and explore ways for clients to live by those values to live a fulfilling life.
Attachment-based
Initially, I have clients take an attachment style quiz to assist clients in developing an understanding about their interpersonal exchanges. With Attachment-Based therapy, I can assist clients in targeting their thoughts, feelings, interpersonal interactions that one may have learned to suppress, avoid, amplify because of their early attachment experiences.
Psychodynamic
I utilize Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages of development to build rapport with clients by exploring their childhood/upbringing. Doing so, allows me to explore challenges that the client and family faced, how conflict was handled, how love was shown, how relationships (intimate/interpersonal) was developed, etc.
EMDR
EMDR allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR allows clients to experience emotional relief, the ability to manage emotions, and improve their psychological functioning.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 126141