Frequently Asked Questions

Sessions last between 50 and 53 minutes, leaving me 7 to 10 minutes for documentation.

I’m in the process of paneling with Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, and Optum (UnitedHealth Group).

But right now, I’m considered an out-of-network provider (private-pay only). There are several reasons for this, which I am happy to discuss with you during your consultation call.

So, you’ll pay the session fee at the time of the appointment. If you have insurance, you can seek reimbursement for out-of-network mental health benefits. I can provide you with the documentation you’ll need for this.

Call (901) 286-5075 or email me at kristena@serenesolutionscounseling.com, and we can start with a free 15-minute consultation.

During the call, I’ll learn more about you and ensure we are a good fit (therapy’s a bit like dating in this way).

If I don’t answer your call, I might be in session, so please leave me a message, and I’ll call you back as soon as possible.

All sessions require a 24-hour notice of cancellation. If you fail to cancel the session at least 24 hours in advance, I will charge you for the entire session.

I mostly work with adolescents (13-17) and adults 18 and up.

There’s no need to be nervous about the first session! We’ll have a conversation. I’ll listen and ask questions to get a clear picture of you, the issues causing you emotional pain, and where you see yourself in the future.

My goal is for you to feel like you’re chatting with a friend.

I use an integrative approach, pulling from various modalities.

Depending on the issues at hand, I might use CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), or Motivational Interviewing.

Our work together will be solution-focused and based in attachment, mindfulness, and your strengths.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a form of psychotherapy that fosters healing, relieves emotional distress, and addresses other symptoms resulting from traumatic or disturbing disturbances.

EMDR is effective at treating PTSD, motor vehicle accidents, panic attacks, natural disasters, critical illness, traumatic labor and delivery, or humiliation at work or school.

EMDR is also effective in healing the long-lasting effects of subtle “relational wounds” that most of us experienced while growing up: harsh criticism from a parent, being raised by a depressed parent, feeling rejected by a crush, feeling different from everyone else, being shamed by a teacher, feeling overlooked in our emotional experience, feeling unlovable, feeling overshadowed by someone else’s emotions, abandonment by a parent, feeling recognized only for our achievements, feeling excluded, feeling unrecognized as an individual, or family conflict.

I received a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from The University of Memphis in 2008.

After years of professional experience in various settings, I attended graduate school at Aurora University and received my Master of Social Work in 2021.

I’ve worked with diverse populations in various settings, including schools, residential treatment centers, community mental health, and private practices.

It can vary between a few months to a few years. It all depends on you – on your engagement and progress in sessions.

You might feel an impulse to stop when difficult emotions or themes arise. As your therapist, I can help you work through those feelings with the understanding that you can come back at any time.

When the time comes, we can explore your thoughts and feelings about concluding. Of course, the decision is ultimately yours.

I take your confidentiality very seriously.

There are only three exceptions to confidentiality. They fall under a clause known as “mandated reporting.” Therefore, by law, if you disclose that you’re going to harm yourself, harm someone else, or you know of someone unable to advocate for themselves (like a minor, an elder, or someone who is developmentally unable to self-advocate) who’s in danger, I must make a report.

Otherwise, my lips are sealed. Confidentiality for teens comes up a lot. If I think it’s helpful, I will encourage teens to share certain information with their parents, but I will not share what their teen shares with me in session (unless they are in danger).