Serena Lee - Soul Tea Therapy
California
Licensed
My name is Serena (she/her) and I am a Taiwanese-American licensed clinical social worker based in Santa Barbara, CA though I also provide remote telehealth therapy for clients all across California! My work as a therapist is especially sacred because I have been on the other side of the couch, so to speak. I am well acquainted with the challenges that trauma and mental health poses on our lives, both as a clinician and as a survivor. More than that, I bear witness to the powerful transformation that can happen when we commit to our healing and self-reflection. If you've experienced trauma too, then you know first hand the ways it often casts shadows on your everyday life. Maybe dissociation and constant internal conflicts make you feel disoriented, and triggers seem to be everywhere that cause intense emotional rollercoasters. Perhaps relationships seem too difficult, boundaries impossible to implement, and love and care feel beyond your reach. If this resonates with you, we may be a good fit! I journey with my clients to help them discover and love all parts of themselves, heal painful wounds from past trauma, and forge a path towards a life of clarity, peace, and authenticity. I am especially skilled in working with adults and young adults who have endured childhood trauma, physical/sexual/spiritual abuse, and chaotic family dynamics, among many other types of life adversities. I also specialize in treating individuals who have dissociative experiences and identities (DID/OSDD), CPTSD, OCD, borderline personality traits, and more. As a Taiwanese-American therapist with my own story of healing from trauma and mental health challenges, I am well acquainted with the nuances that culture brings to the healing process. I commit to attuning to and honoring your unique needs, struggles, and hopes with empathy, curiosity, and groundedness. You matter and you are not alone!
Treatment Approach
I use various forms of trauma informed treatment modalities, such as somatics, mindfulness based therapies, parts work, internal family systems***, and trauma informed stabilization treatment, a therapeutic modality developed to help individuals who experience trauma-related symptoms, dissociation and identities, intense emotional dysregulation, compulsive/addictive tendencies, and difficulties with relationships. I also integrate dialectical behavioral therapy and acceptance commitment therapy to help clients learn helpful coping skills without dismissing or minimizing emotional pain stemming from trauma. Finally, I pay special attention to the nuances of diverse identities because I know first hand the unique experiences that come alongside being BIPOC. It is especially important to me that my clients do not feel the need to over-educate me, code switch, or hold back in sharing about culture, identity, and heritage. In fact, we will celebrate all of who you are and every identity you bring into the room! ***IFS can be helpful conceptually in understanding generally how people's ego states can be viewed. However, in the context of DID/OSDD, IFS has a limited role and could even potentially be harmful when an alter is diminished as an IFS part. Thus, I ensure in my clinical work to adapt IFS for systems/multiples only if the client benefits from this treatment model. I view my clients as experts of their lived experiences, and prioritize listening to what my clients express regarding their needs.
she/her
Contact
805-500-6576
1625 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
soulteatherapy.com
Insurance:
Out of network provider who can provide superbills or sliding scale fee for those who qualify
Therapy Type:
Individual psychotherapy, Group therapy
Details
$185
Offers sliding scale fee
Either in-person or online
USA
Accepting new clients