Rebecca Serbu Professional Counselor Associate

Rebecca Serbu, Professional Counselor Associate, 1194563494 is practicing under the supervision of Jessica Ruiz (Georgia, LPC, LPC005647) at Serenity Counseling Center.

Please, note: A clinician listed as being “clinically supervised” is completing clinical hours toward their licensure. They have one or more fully licensed clinical supervisors that often have special training to become supervisors. They consult with their supervisor(s) on all of their cases, which means that, when working with them, you are getting the time and expertise of multiple therapists in your treatment.

For many years, I knew I wanted to go into a helping profession. For a period of my life, this looked like involvement in ministry and small groups. Over time, I learned that I love supporting others in journeys of personal growth, and that I loved to do this in one-on-one settings where I could dedicate all of my focus on the other person. What I have come to appreciate about the world of mental health is the enormous wealth of resources for navigating mental health challenges and roadblocks to growth. But above all, what inspired me most to become a therapist was my own journey in therapy. Doing the work of exploring my life narrative and healing my inner child one step at a time empowered me to believe I just might be able to help others do it too.

My educational background includes time spent studying counseling theories and psychology as well as the world of religious and theological studies. I have a high regard for the influential role faith experiences can have on mental health, and have spent much of my professional life studying this relationship. While I know that for some, faith can be a foundational resource and comfort, for others it's a bit more complicated. Maybe you've had doubt or questions, or maybe you've had experiences that make it hard to trust religion or religious figures. I've learned the importance of making space for the experiences of others, always keeping in mind that I have more to learn myself. I always strive to make clients feel safe to explore wherever they are at in the journey.

I would want someone to know that I am a fellow traveler on the journey. I'm not here to tell you what to do, wave a magic wand to fix problems, or judge you from a distance. I want to walk with you and reflect the beauty I see in you. I want to empower you and encourage you, but also challenge you. I want to be the space you need to connect with yourself in a way that leaves you feeling seen, loved and valued. And if you choose to work with me, I'll always check in to see if this is your experience, or if there are things that need to change. The client's experience is always my number one priority in session!

My work experience comes mainly from working with college students in the context of a university's counseling center. I have worked with college students experiencing a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, identity issues and trauma. Some of my areas of interest include anxiety and OCD, as well as faith-related issues such as integrating faith as a resource and exploring challenges such as doubt, deconstruction and recovery from religious/spiritual abuse. I really enjoy working with others in the midst of life transitions striving to build a life that looks more like the life they long to have. I've learned in my work with young adults that growth and change are always possible in the context of a safe and supportive relationship.