Etta "Serena" Faison, LCSW

Etta "Serena" Faison is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in North Carolina with 14 years of professional experience. She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar concerns, low self-esteem, and motivation struggles. She also helps with relationship and family issues, grief, addiction, and life transitions.

She believes clients know their own stories and brings a respectful, down-to-earth approach. Sessions focus on building on existing strengths while working toward realistic goals. She encourages practical steps people can use between meetings.

Her style blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with acceptance-oriented ideas and client-centered listening. Mindfulness and existential perspectives are used when they fit a person’s needs. The work aims to help people notice unhelpful patterns and try different responses.

In sessions she uses clear language and concrete tools. Expect collaborative discussion, simple experiments, and skills practice that relate to daily life. She helps people set small goals and track progress toward them.

She offers support for a wide range of concerns including parenting strain, caregiver stress, body image, chronic illness, codependency, communication problems, impulsivity, and loneliness. The focus is on practical change, increased self-awareness, and finding paths that feel meaningful to each person.

Approaches used in online sessions and how they help

She commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT often involves clear steps and homework that translate well to online work and can help with anxiety, depression, and sleep or eating concerns.

She also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and build a life direction even when difficult feelings remain. ACT supports coping with chronic pain, persistent worries, and life changes by focusing on what matters most.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try techniques together, and adapt methods based on what works for the individual. Clients have a say in which tools they try and how sessions are paced.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for in-depth conversation and guided exercises, while phone calls or brief chats can fit a busy schedule or low-bandwidth situations. Text and messaging are helpful for quick check-ins, progress notes, and between-session coaching. These options offer flexibility so therapy can fit into everyday life.