Background

Hi there! My name is Serena (she/her) and I am honoured to be one of the registered clinical counsellors on Avery Therapy’s team. Born and raised in Victoria BC, on Lekwungen Territory, I am mixed race and a second-generation immigrant. I am also a member of both the chronic illness and LGBTQ2S+ community. A dancer before I could walk, I grew up in the dance studio, on stage, and in school. A strong belief in community and an inclination to help led me to complete a Bachelor of Arts with a Sociology Major and Psychology Minor at the University of Victoria (UVic). Passionate about giving back, I then worked on a crisis line and other non-profit organizations before completing my Masters at City University (CityU). To witness the power of vulnerability, resilience, and hope, especially in the face of hardship, is truly life-affirming and speaks to the depths to which we all can grow, change, and evolve.

To quote Maya Angelou, “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” As a therapist, I am honoured to be able to create a safe and welcoming space for us to unpack those stories, delve into the messiness, and help support you as you move forward. When I am not in session, you will likely find me bopping to music and choreographing dances, getting lost in a good book or the great outdoors, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying a sweet treat (or two).

 

Therapeutic Approach

As someone who has never fit easily into preconceived boxes, I take an eclectic approach to therapy to best fit the client or clients in front of me. First and foremost, is working to create a safe space for you to be heard and seen. It takes bravery to seek out therapy and I endeavour to meet that bravery with nonjudgement, openness, honesty, and compassion. When appropriate, I will utilize humour and metaphors. As therapy does not exist in a vacuum, I am also cognizant of external factors and will consider the broader picture and how societal systems and cultural factors impact our work together. All work I do is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, neurodiversity and disability affirming, and anti-oppressive.

If you are curious about the theories I work with, I come from a humanistic and person-centered approach. I believe in you, your agency, and capacity for change. Some of the specific theories I utilize are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), self-compassion work, somatic approaches, and Gottman therapy. This can look like increasing your psychological flexibility, exploring the parts holding you back from healing, quieting your inner critic, practicing mindfulness, and learning how to better love and be loved. While everyone’s therapy journey is different, together, we can recognize patterns, process old and new wounds, and help you carve out the path forward you seek. Here’s to you and your healing journey!

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My availability can be found here.