Serena Watts-Kumar

Serena Watts-Kumar, LPC, CCST Serena’s specialty is creating a safe and interactive environment to dig deeper into hard topics, deep seated trauma, and is often heard saying that, “we leave no stone unturned”. Her specialty populations include women in high stress leadership roles, and those dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and post abortion grief. Serena has been a licensed therapist/counselor for the past 12 years and working in the mental health field for over 20 years. Serena graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan College, the first institution of higher education in the world to grant degrees to women. She then graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology from Argosy University, Atlanta in 2008. After becoming licensed Serena has gone on to complete additional training in Sand Tray Therapy from 2020-2022 and completed her Sand Tray Trainer certification in 2023. The experiences and settings in which Serena formed her clinical mental health expertise have been broad and varied. Shortly after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she advocated for children and teens dealing with severe mental illness and substance abuse in a therapeutic day treatment program as a Clinical Care Coordinator Supervisor. Following this, she worked in a residential group home for foster children as a Program Coordinator. Serena earned clinical hours, supervision, and training in the private practice setting. After earning her master’s degree Serena began teaching psychology courses at the University of Phoenix. Always desiring new knowledge, and a challenge, Serena moved to Texas in 2009 and began working for a managed care, Fortune 500 company, doing utilization review for psychiatric inpatient, PHP and IOP levels of care. During her time at the company, she also worked as an auditor, transitions of care coach, and a case manager. Serena also had the honor of training in Motivational Interviewing with one of its creators, Dr. William Miller, and went on conduct trainings for staff in the technique showing how it applies to the managed care setting. In 2015 Serena opened Creekside Counseling of Westover Hills, PLLC, returning to a private practice setting with the goal of creating greater access to metal health care in her community. Serena is passionate about removing mental health stigma for minorities and women and believes that every person deserves to have a safe place to be heard.