Meet Cristina
Hello, my name is Cristina Serna and I am a Licensed Masters Social Worker. Mental health became a passion of mine in 2012 when I was serving in the United States Navy.
While living the military-overseas-life, especially while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, at a Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) where I acted as a first responder, I began to notice the toll the lifestyle took on everyone. Not only on myself, but on my brothers and sisters.
After completing my tour there, I moved on to Rota, Spain, which is also a FDNF, where I became a supervisor to junior sailors. The key difficulty came in motivating them to do the job when they were struggling with the mental strains that come along with being deployed. It is an unspoken rule in the military that people should not talk about their mental health because it will either be pushed aside, or thrown back in their faces where they will be considered “weak” or “not fit for duty.”
Throughout my social work experience, I have had the opportunity to work with complex and traumatic cases. I have experience working with individuals in crisis in both in-patient and out-patient settings. I have worked with those struggling with a multitude of varying traumas at a women’s shelter, and have had the opportunity to work as both an individual and family therapist as I helped in the healing process. Additionally, I was able to make notable impacts when working at CPS and dealing with some of the most complex cases where I ensured care and respect for the child and family system.
Where I felt the most at home though, was while working with organizations that partnered with law enforcement and first responders. I realized the culture is very similar and was able to feel at home around people who felt and thought so similarly.
Finding Freedom Therapy has led me to the population I am meant to help. Let me help you fight the fight within you so you can continue to do what you are meant to do. Heroes need help, too.
I have been trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which is an evidence-based trauma therapy modality to provide the most up-to-date and effective treatment. I am under the supervision of Britney Woodley, LCSW-S. As an LMSW, I am currently unable to accept insurance, but I offer reduced rates to make therapy exceptionally affordable. I am also fluent in both English and Spanish.
*This clinician is an independent contractor