Therapy for chronic health conditions & marginalized groups
Do you ever wonder what therapy is, what kinds of therapy there are, what the difference between a counselor, a psychologist, a coach, a psychiatrist, a social worker is, or what mental health workers actually do, and where mental health workers work? Read on to learn more about what types of mental health care are out there so that you -whether you are seeking mental health services or are interested in a career in mental health- can get to know more about it, what resources are out there, and even get to know some of the amazing people doing this work.
Serena Forward-Rodriguez is a licensed psychotherapist in Seattle, WA
Meet Serena Forward-Rodriguez, a Queer-Identified Sex-Positive, Body-Positive therapist in Seattle, WA
What is your current role as a mental health professional in Washington?
I am a therapist at Sea Mar Behavioral Health and have a private practice - Innate Authenticity PLLC.
Where do you provide services?
At Sea Mar I'm currently providing services in Puyallup but will be switching to Kent soon. For private practice, I can see anyone in Washington State, but I primarily serve folks in the greater Seattle area.
What kind of services do you provide? Any special populations or certifications?
I'm queer-identified, body positive, and sex positive. In my private practice, I provide services to fellow therapists, folks struggling with chronic health conditions (particularly Celiac Disease and Fibromyalgia), and marginalized communities such is LGBTQIA+, people living in larger bodies, and polyamorous folks.
My areas of expertise are anxiety, depression, PTSD, and coping with life stress. I'm skilled as well at providing letters of support for transgender folks to help them receive gender-affirming care. I am formally trained in DBT and CPT, so as such I work from a trauma-informed lens and can help people recover from PTSD.
How does your service help people live mentally healthy lives?
I want my clients to live authentically with themselves and their relationships. We all have that innate ability but it gets lost over time with messages we receive from family members, friends, romantic partners, and/or society. Self-compassion and clarity about identity, desires, life direction, and relationships is a crucial part of my work.
Once we can have self-compassion, we can extend that outward and have better relationships personally and professionally. My clients learn how to get clear about their needs and desires, support their needs and desires through self-care and effective communication, better manage stress without making stressors the enemy, and accept their bodies as they are.
Client suffering trauma learn about and normalize their trauma responses and heal from their past so they can live fulfilling lives.
What kind of people do you love working with?
I love working with therapists who are struggling with work stress or mental health issues, the queer community, people living in larger bodies, polyamorous folks, and people living with chronic health conditions (particularly Celiac Disease and Fibromyalgia).
Why did you decide to become a mental health professional?
My family system growing up was not ideal. I benefitted greatly from therapy and I wanted to bring the gift of recovery to others as well.
What do you wish people knew about services with you?
I'm very authentic with my clients. While we all have our professional hat, and professionalism is important, the gap between who I am as a person outside of work and who I am with my clients is not gaping. You can expect me to be just a human being and be very relatable in my approach.
What is your favorite way to take care of your mental health?
I got answers this year to various health conundrums, and I have been on a path of learning much more about what my body and mind need. So that is a very central part of my life right now. I love being outdoors (when I'm feeling up to it), singing, playing with my cats, and binging shows on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ with my husband.
How can people contact you to learn more about your services in Washington?
You can learn more about me on various platforms. I am on Therapy Den, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn.
My website is InnateAuthenticity.com and I prefer that folks use the link on my website to request a consultation for starting services. Stay tuned for finding me on Instagram and Facebook as well.
What is your website address or online directory link?
What are 1-3 resources or coping skills that you like to recommend for mental health?
I love DBT skills so incorporating mindful awareness into daily activities, TIP skill, and half smiling and willing hands are a great start. I also like to use 5 senses grounding and teaching the importance of self-compassion.
Serena Forward-Rodriguez, the owner of Innate Authenticity. is a queer-identified, sex-positive, and body-positive therapist who provides a welcoming space for individuals of all identities, genders, backgrounds, relationship orientations (polyamory, open-relationships, etc.), and sexual orientations.
Serena shares, “It is vitally important and I strongly value using a systemic lens that recognizes the role of systemic oppression in the perpetuation of trauma and mental health struggles. As a cisgender, White person, I do not always get it right. But I have worked hard and will continue to do so to ensure you get the care you need. I value using radical honesty and genuineness, humor where appropriate, and metaphors for describing all kinds of things to better connect with you, from human being to human being.”
Serena enjoys discovering delicious gluten free foods, ciders, and beers as well as spending time with her husband, cats, friends, and family.
If you are a mental health professional, or provide services that support mental health and wellbeing, and would like to be featured in this series, please fill out my contact form, or you can submit a form directly at: wellness-focused business or mental health practitioner.If you are looking for a mental health provider like the one featured above, or would like to start counseling services and connect with the message above, please reach out directly to the provider above.
If you are interested in trauma or relationship counseling for women in Tacoma, WA or online in Washington state, you can contact me, Katie Lorz, for a free 15-minute consultation. I will see if I can help, and if not, I will do my best to get you to someone who can. My goal is to help you find the mental health care you need to achieve your wellness goals.
