Etta "Serena" Faison , LCSW

Etta "Serena" Faison is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, bipolar symptoms, and life transitions. She supports concerns such as addictions, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and many relationship or communication struggles. Serena emphasizes a respectful, down-to-earth approach that centers each person's strengths.

She describes clients as the experts on their own lives and offers guidance to help them use personal strengths. Sessions focus on clear goals and practical steps. The style is collaborative and straightforward, with encouragement and gentle challenge when needed.

Serena uses methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered work, along with mindfulness and existential perspectives. That mix helps people notice unhelpful patterns, learn new responses, and clarify values so they can make changes that matter.

With 14 years of experience in North Carolina, she brings a seasoned yet approachable presence. She aims to help people build confidence, manage mood shifts, and cope with chronic stressors like caregiving or chronic illness. Her work also addresses body image, codependency, and parenting-related stress.

Sessions typically focus on concrete skills such as stress management, communication tactics, and behavioral changes. Serena encourages small, achievable steps so progress feels manageable. She supports LGBT concerns and helps people navigate isolation or relationship setbacks without judgment.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without being driven by them, and then commit to actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and life changes where someone wants clearer direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and testing new ways of responding to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Client-Centered Therapy is built around an empathetic, nonjudgmental relationship that helps people feel heard and supported while they problem-solve.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to pick methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That means checking in together and adjusting techniques over time rather than sticking rigidly to one method.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video suits deeper conversations when seeing facial cues matters. Phone can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or you prefer not to be on camera. Chat or text messaging lets people fit brief check-ins into a busy day and keep momentum between longer sessions. These options make it easier to get consistent care around work, caregiving, or mobility constraints.