Today’s Business Highlight: Waves of Serenity with Brianna Serrano, LCSW, PMH-C

rosajaviersales
May 18
20 min read

Waves of Serenity Counseling, LLC, my second episode of Season Two. I had the pleasure of speaking with Brianna Serrano, LCSW, PMH-C, about trauma during birth, how to support both the birthing parent and co-parent, and how difficult it can be to balance caring for yourself while caring for a new baby.

Speaking with Brianna was such a great experience because, on top of being a counselor with years of experience, she has worked in a hospital setting and understands firsthand how overwhelming and emotional the NICU experience can be for families trying to process everything in a healthy way.

As a parent herself, Brianna works incredibly hard to make sure her clients feel heard, understood, and supported while they process grief connected to the imagined birth experience, unexpected outcomes, or the transition into parenthood itself.

Please join me for this conversation and get to know this amazing local certified perinatal therapist serving new parents throughout the Lehigh Valley area.

Business Information:

Waves of Serenity Counseling

Brianna Serrano, LCSW, PMH-C

15 Centre Sq Cir, Easton, PA 18042

Phone number: (484) 291-4508

Website: https://www.wavesofserenitycounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WavesofSerenityCounseling/

Listen to the entire interview on my Podcast Rosa Javier Sales: Business Highlights: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vzbZMpFT1dbGuF1nIEU4B?si=1nFEgi2XTJWV_HFxntD1lQ

Brianna Serrano’s Journey Into Perinatal Mental Health

Rosa: Hi! How are you?

Brianna: Good!

Rosa: How’s everything going?

Brianna: Good, good.

Rosa: Can you share what licenses and credentials you have and where you’re licensed to practice?

Brianna: Yes. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or LCSW, and I also hold a certification in Perinatal Mental Health, so PMH-C. I’m licensed to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Rosa: What does your educational and clinical training background look like?

Brianna: I received my undergraduate degree from Kutztown University and then earned my Master’s in Social Work from Marywood University. During both programs, I completed field placements and internships in different settings, including family-based services, outpatient group therapy, and inpatient behavioral health.

While completing my master’s program, I was also working in inpatient behavioral health, where I was able to complete part of my internship through their case management program.

After graduating, I continued working in the hospital setting as a behavioral health social worker. I worked in both inpatient and outpatient positions before eventually transitioning into medical social work. That’s really where my journey into maternal mental health began.

I started working in a 40-bed NICU, and I would also occasionally help in the pediatric and mother-baby units, but the NICU became my home base. I absolutely loved it. Being around the babies and supporting families through that experience really shaped the work I do today.

After some time, I transitioned into outpatient work, and now I’m in private practice, which I truly love.

Rosa: That’s awesome. How long has your journey in social work been so far?

Brianna: I graduated with my master’s degree in 2016, but I actually started working in the hospital while I was still in college around 2012 or 2013. So overall, I’ve been working in social work for over ten years in different capacities. It’s definitely been a long journey, but one I’ve really loved.

Helping Parents Feel Seen, Heard, and Supported

Rosa: Who tends to be the best fit for your work?

Brianna: I work with clients from many different backgrounds, but my main focus is working with moms during the postpartum period. The perinatal population is really my specialty area, and it’s a population I deeply enjoy working with.

Part of that comes from my professional experience, but also from my lived experience. I’m a mom myself, and I’ve had my own journey through motherhood. When I ask clients how they found me, many of them say they connected with the fact that I’m both a mom and someone who has worked in medical settings.

I always want my clients to know they’re not alone in what they’re feeling because I truly understand it. I’ve felt many of those emotions myself. I often say that I strive to be the type of therapist I needed during that time in my own life.

I’m very passionate about this work, and my own therapy journey changed a lot for me personally. That experience is a big part of why I wanted to focus on supporting this population and becoming another resource for moms out there.

Rosa: That’s really cool.

Brianna: And not just moms, dads too.

Rosa: How would you describe your approach to therapy?

Brianna: I would describe my approach as nonjudgmental, gentle, supportive, and direct. I’m not a “blank slate” therapist. I give feedback, provide worksheets and resources, and help guide clients through what they’re experiencing.

At the same time, I want therapy to feel like a safe space where people can openly talk about the trauma or difficult experiences they’ve been through.

I also think being relatable helps many of my clients feel more comfortable. A lot of them feel understood knowing that I genuinely get it because I’ve gone through parts of it myself. Having that relational connection can make a really big difference.

The First Step Into Therapy

Rosa: What does a first session with you typically look like?

Brianna: Typically when a client reaches out, whether it’s through one of the platforms I use or through my website, I usually start with a phone consultation first to better understand what their needs for therapy are.

If everything feels like it aligns well, then that first session would be the intake session. That’s where I’m doing a formal biopsychosocial assessment, learning more about their background, and really starting to build rapport and that therapeutic alliance with them.

Most importantly, I’m trying to understand what brought them to therapy.

I always tell clients that in the first session, we start where they are. If they’re not comfortable talking about everything right away, that’s okay. We start with what they feel comfortable sharing.

A lot of clients find that some of the prompting questions help them open up more, but sometimes they’re still not ready, and that’s okay too. You don’t have to have everything figured out in the first session. We work through it together.

For me, the most important part of that first session is understanding who they are as a person and building that relationship with them. I don’t expect anyone to walk into therapy completely ready right away.

For some people, it’s their first time ever being in therapy. Others may have tried therapy before but didn’t really connect with their previous therapist. So for me, it’s really important to help clients feel comfortable and safe from the beginning.

Rosa: Very cool. When someone feels overwhelmed or not like themselves during postpartum, what are some of the core themes you typically work on?

Brianna: A really common theme during postpartum is loss of identity or moms trying to figure out who they are now while going through this huge life transition.

A lot of the work we do is helping them understand that just because they became a mom doesn’t mean they have to give up who they were before becoming a mother.

We focus a lot on their strengths and the things that make them who they are as a person, not just being a great mom or a great partner, but the things they valued about themselves before this transition.

For example, maybe they had a hobby they loved before becoming a parent. We’ll focus on ways they can start integrating that back into their life now. Even if they have older children, we’ll talk about how they can include them in those activities and turn it into a more positive experience.

A lot of it really comes down to reframing those mindsets and helping them slowly regain some of that identity back.

Navigating Postpartum Together as Partners

Rosa: What’s one thing you wish people knew before starting therapy during pregnancy or postpartum?

Brianna: That it’s not as scary as it seems. For me personally, it took a really long time to come to terms with the fact that I needed help. I had the mindset of, “I’m just going to get through this. I’m just going to push through it.” But sometimes that’s not enough.

Sometimes you really do need that outside perspective to help you see things differently.

I think there’s still a lot of stigma around therapy because of society and social media, but a lot of clients find that even after the first session, they already feel more comfortable talking about things because they’ve finally been given a safe space to do that.

It’s also a different kind of support because there isn’t that bias that can sometimes come from family members or even physicians. It’s a different perspective and a deeper understanding of what someone is experiencing.

A lot of times, people feel like they’re “crazy” for struggling, when in reality they’ve gone through a major hormonal shift, birth trauma, or other very real experiences that put them at a higher risk for postpartum mental health challenges.

And it’s okay to acknowledge that. Sometimes you just need a space where you can talk about and process those experiences.

Rosa: How does your approach change between the birthing parent and the supporting or co-parent?

Brianna: With the birthing parent, we focus more on their experiences through pregnancy, birth trauma, recovery, and hormonal shifts.

With the supporting parent or co-parent, a common theme I see is them feeling inadequate because they’re not the one breastfeeding or the one who physically gave birth.

A lot of the work becomes helping them understand that their role is just as important. The birthing parent needs support in order to continue showing up for the baby and themselves.

We also focus on ways they can still create meaningful bonding experiences with the baby. I’ve had dads say things like, “Well, I can’t breastfeed,” but maybe they take over nighttime feedings or help with certain routines and caregiving tasks.

That’s actually something I relate to personally. My husband handled all of the nighttime feedings, and that made such a huge difference for me because I was already exhausted and going through such a major transition physically and emotionally.

Even one small shift in responsibilities can make a really big impact.

I think it’s important for supporting parents to understand that they have a very important role too. They’re also a parent, and that matters.

Rosa: During that time there’s so much sleep deprivation and physical recovery happening. In what ways do you see partners misunderstanding each other during that period?

Brianna: A lot of moms will say things like, “I feel bad asking for help because my partner already works so hard and does so much for us.” There’s often a lot of guilt around asking for support. One thing I talk to clients about is creating “tap out” moments, basically having an understanding that if one person feels overwhelmed, the other steps in and takes over for a little while.

That kind of communication is really important. You both need to understand that there will be hard days, there will be moments where both people are exhausted, and the goal becomes figuring out how to communicate in a way that supports each other while also meeting the baby’s needs.

Grieving the Birth Experience You Imagine

Rosa: Awesome. You actually answered my next question. Why can birth feel so emotionally traumatic even when the outcome is medically okay?

Brianna: I think there’s almost always some level of trauma involved because, even when everything turns out medically okay, you’re still going through a huge shift physically and emotionally. Whether you had the best OB team or a really difficult experience, there’s still that major hormonal shift afterward. And honestly, I think that’s one of the hardest parts because it’s not something people really prepare you for. You expect the sleepless nights. You expect that life is going to change. But I don’t think people fully expect how much healing your body actually needs or how deeply those hormonal shifts can affect you.

A lot of moms start questioning themselves and wondering, “Why do I feel like this? This is supposed to be the happiest time of my life.” But there are so many outside factors affecting you physically, emotionally, and mentally during that time.

Rosa: Right. On the other hand, there’s also the grief process when someone doesn’t have the birth they planned for, especially with emergency C-sections, interventions, or simply feeling powerless during the process. How do you help someone grieve that?

Brianna: It’s very similar to grieving any other type of loss. First, it’s important to acknowledge that those things happened and that it’s okay to feel hurt by them.

At the same time, we also work through understanding that there were parts of the experience that were outside of their control. I remind moms that they are still great mothers even if they had a C-section. They are still capable of meeting their baby’s needs even if the birth didn’t happen the way they envisioned it would.

A lot of the work is acknowledging the trauma, processing the fact that it wasn’t okay and wasn’t what they imagined, and then slowly working toward acceptance of where they are now. From there, we focus on helping them see that they can still bond with their baby, create meaningful experiences, and give their child the love and care they need, even if the birth itself did not go as planned.

I think it really helps when moms begin to see that the birth was one part of the journey, not the entire story. Then we can start focusing on what postpartum looks like moving forward and what they want that next chapter to become.

Why Postpartum Looks Different for

Every Parent

Rosa: In your experience, do you see any trends when it comes to the hardest psychological moment for parents? Is it pregnancy, delivery itself, or the weeks after?

Brianna: I think it’s really different for each person. Some clients have an amazing pregnancy and a relatively uneventful birth where everything goes well medically, but then postpartum hits unexpectedly afterward. Other clients may have had really difficult pregnancies or difficult births, but once postpartum comes, they’re able to get the support they need and work through a lot of those experiences in a healthy way. So it really varies from person to person. But one common theme I do see often is birth trauma and how much that can impact the postpartum period afterward.

Rosa: Does all of that affect the way parents bond with the baby, whether it’s the birthing parent or the co-parent? How do you see that play out?

Brianna: Absolutely. And again, it varies for every client, but bonding can definitely be a big part of it. One of the things we look for when screening for postpartum disorders is that bonding period with the baby. Difficulty bonding can sometimes be one of the signs that something deeper is going on emotionally. Sometimes we have to ask: What’s preventing that connection? What barriers are there? And it’s not only moms. With dads, postpartum symptoms can actually show up later, usually around the three-to-six-month period.

Rosa: Really?

Brianna: Yeah. It tends to happen later, and I think part of that has to do with the baby reaching new milestones and some dads starting to struggle with feelings of inadequacy.

A lot of the work becomes helping them understand that they’ve already been an important support system from the very beginning. As the baby changes and grows, sometimes those feelings come up of, “Maybe I’m not needed as much anymore,” especially if they are not breastfeeding or are not the primary caregiver.

But we work through helping them understand that they still play a very important role. They can still provide support, build connection with the baby, and continue being an active parent through every stage. That bond with the baby can absolutely play into a lot of those emotions and experiences for both parents.

Healing After NICU Trauma and Medical Complications

Rosa: Definitely. You mentioned earlier that you worked a lot within the NICU. For families who experience NICU stays or medical complications after birth, what emotional patterns tend to show up later?

Brianna: A lot of what I see with NICU parents is guilt. Many parents place a lot of blame on themselves for what happened, even when it was completely outside of their control.

Sometimes they had a high-risk pregnancy and expected that there could be complications, but not to the extent of what actually happened. The NICU can be a very overwhelming and scary place. There are constantly alarms, sounds, medical staff, and so many unknowns happening all at once.

A lot of the work becomes helping parents process that trauma response and helping them understand that they did not cause this to happen to themselves or their baby.

At the same time, we acknowledge that this experience was very different from what they expected and help them work through the grief that comes with that.

We also focus on helping parents recognize how much strength and resilience they showed while going through that experience because many parents truly go through so much during a NICU stay.

Rosa: If someone keeps replaying the birth or those medical complications even after things have technically been “resolved,” or they start feeling numb afterward, what do you think helps the most?

Brianna: I try to help them acknowledge the positive parts of the experience too, even if the negative moments are the ones replaying in their mind.

For example, maybe they keep replaying the traumatic parts of the birth, but I’ll ask them to think about moments that felt meaningful or comforting too. Maybe it was the first time they were able to hold their baby or the feeling of finally bringing their baby home.

Even though the difficult parts happened, we try to identify where there was progress, healing, strength, and moments of connection.

A lot of that work is actually very similar to grief work. In grief therapy, someone may be focused on the sadness of losing a person, but we also help them think about the positive memories, the impact that person had on their life, and the moments that still bring comfort or meaning.

It’s similar with birth trauma or NICU experiences. We acknowledge the pain and the fear, but we also work toward recognizing the moments of strength, connection, and healing that existed alongside those experiences.

Why Seeking Help is a Strength

Not a Weakness

Rosa: Wow. Especially within Hispanic and Black communities, there can be a lot of historical and generational stigma around therapy. What would you say is a gentle first step for someone seeking therapy after going through birth, pregnancy, or postpartum?

Brianna: One of the first things I always do is acknowledge the strength it took for them to even start the process.

I usually tell them, “I’m glad you’re here. I’m proud of you for taking this step.”

I also remind them that they’re not alone in what they’re going through. A lot of moms experience these feelings, and by choosing to seek support, they’re doing something incredibly important not only for themselves, but also for their baby.

Getting help is not a weakness. It’s a strength.

And I think it’s really important for people to hear that it’s okay to not be okay. That’s what we work through together.

Rosa: How can a parent tell the difference between normal adjustment and postpartum depression or anxiety that deserves professional support?

Brianna: Typically, what many moms experience first is what we call the “baby blues.” Those feelings can look very similar to postpartum depression or anxiety in the beginning. What becomes really important is the time frame.

If those intense feelings continue beyond about two weeks after birth, that’s when we start screening more seriously for postpartum mood or anxiety disorders.

By that point, hormones have usually started settling a little more, so we start looking more closely at things like intrusive thoughts, emotional intensity, anxiety levels, emotional shutdown, or difficulty coping.

After that, it really varies depending on the specific postpartum disorder and the person’s symptoms, but usually after the first month is when we start seeing things either improve or become more noticeable.

Rosa: Is there such a thing as getting help “too soon”?

Brianna: Honestly, I don’t think so. Therapy can be helpful even before things feel severe because sometimes you’re simply preparing yourself and building support early on.

You don’t need to have a diagnosis to benefit from therapy.

Sometimes someone didn’t experience birth trauma, but they’re struggling with the life transition into parenthood. Sometimes they’re a first-time parent trying to process a completely different lifestyle. Sometimes they don’t have a strong support system around them. Therapy can become that support.

People always say, “It takes a village,” but not everybody has that village.

Rosa: How can partners recognize some of the red flags in each other- Whether it’s the birthing parent or the co-parent- that professional support may be needed?

Brianna: One thing we look at a lot is bonding and attachment with the baby, especially after those first couple of weeks. We also pay attention to emotional shutdown, increased irritability, emotional reactivity, or what a lot of moms describe as “mom rage,” where emotional regulation suddenly feels very difficult. It’s also important for partners to check in on each other emotionally. Sometimes both parents are so focused on the baby’s needs that they completely forget to ask how the other person is doing.

Even if the baby is okay, it’s important to ask: “How is mom doing?” “How is partner doing?” “How are we coping emotionally?” That consistent check-in and communication can make a huge difference.

Finding the Right Therapist &

Accessing Support

Rosa: What should someone look for in a therapist if they suspect anxiety or postpartum struggles are going on?

Brianna: I always say therapy is really about finding the right connection. Not every therapist is going to be the right fit for every person, and sometimes it takes meeting with a few therapists before finding someone you really connect with.

I’ve had clients tell me they went through four, five, or even six therapists before finding the right fit.

A lot of people prefer working with a therapist who is certified in perinatal mental health because of the additional background and knowledge in that area. But honestly, even that depends on the person. My own therapist wasn’t perinatal certified, and I still found therapy incredibly helpful. I think the most important thing is simply starting somewhere and reaching out for support.

We’re also really fortunate to be in an area with so many great therapists and resources for parents. Perinatal-specific resources can be a little more limited, but there are still some really helpful directories and networks available.

For example, I know myself and several other therapists in the area are listed on Postpartum Support International’s directory through postpartum.net, and there’s also the Perinatal Partners Network.

Rosa: So there are resources that help parents specifically find therapists who meet that perinatal criteria?

Brianna: Absolutely.

Rosa: How does insurance typically work with therapy, and what options exist for people who either don’t have insurance or can’t afford standard rates?

Brianna: For me personally, I’m in-network with most major insurance plans. Usually during that first session, I’ll complete a benefits check so we can get an estimate of what each session would cost. Typically insurance covers most of the session cost, and the client would just have a copay unless they have a deductible they still need to meet.

For clients without insurance or for those where standard rates aren’t affordable, I also offer sliding scale options based on financial need. We would look at income and work together to find a payment amount that feels manageable for them.

I’ve also provided pro bono services in the past and try to keep a few spots open whenever possible because for me, it’s important that people still have access to support.

At the end of the day, I would rather someone be able to receive the help they need than go without support entirely.

Local Flexible Therapy

Options for New Parents

Rosa: Where are you located, and what communities or areas do you primarily serve?

Brianna: I’m located in downtown Easton. I have an office where I see clients in person two days a week, typically Mondays and Fridays.

My first session usually starts around 9 a.m., and my latest sessions can go until about 6 p.m., so I try to offer a wide range of times to make things easier for clients. Outside of that, I also offer virtual sessions, which a lot of parents really appreciate, especially new moms. Being able to do therapy from home can make such a difference during maternity leave or while adjusting to life with a newborn.

A lot of clients will do sessions while the baby naps or while they’re at home recovering, and I think that flexibility has been really helpful for many families.

Rosa: Do you also offer hybrid sessions?

Brianna: Yes. I have some clients who prefer starting in person because it helps them build rapport face-to-face first. Then after a few sessions, they’ll switch over to virtual once they feel more comfortable.

I also try to stay flexible depending on life circumstances. For example, during the winter, if weather or driving becomes difficult, I can switch someone to virtual even shortly before the session. That flexibility really helps a lot of clients.

Rosa: For parents who struggle with anxiety or attachment concerns around the baby, can they bring their baby to sessions?

Brianna: Absolutely. I always tell moms that childcare should never be the reason they don’t get therapy. I encourage them to bring the baby if they need to. I actually still keep some of my son’s old baby toys in the office to help during sessions. We jokingly call them “the distractors.”

I really don’t want parents to feel like bringing their child is a limitation. If they need to bring their baby or young child into the session, that’s completely okay with me.

Rosa: What’s the best way for people to contact you?

Brianna: The easiest way is usually through my website. I have a contact form there, and once someone fills it out, it goes into my queue so I can reach out and schedule an initial consultation.

People can also find me through Psychology Today, Headway, and Grow Therapy. I’m also connected with two Employee Assistance Program providers through Spring Health and Mazzitti & Sullivan.

Rosa: What’s your website?

Brianna: WavesofSerenityCounseling.com.

Rosa: If you’re fully booked or not the right fit for someone, do you have a referral process or other resources you recommend?

Brianna: Yes, definitely. I actually share office space with several other clinicians, which has been really great because we’re able to support each other with referrals.

One of those clinicians is Tiffany from The Cozy Corner.

Rosa: That’s so cool. I actually interviewed her.

Brianna: Yes! We used to share office space together before she expanded into her own location, which has been amazing to see. We still refer clients to each other depending on what someone needs or who may be the best fit for a particular situation. There are also two other clinicians in the office that we collaborate with for referrals as well.

For perinatal clients specifically, I’ll sometimes refer to Tiffany because of her background and experience in that area too.

Creating More Local Awareness

Around Postpartum Mental Health

Rosa: That’s very cool. Thank you so much. This conversation was amazing because even though there are so many resources out there, parents really don’t know about them. I promise you, most people have absolutely no idea that there are therapists who specifically focus on this type of work.

Brianna: Absolutely. I believe it because I was there myself. When I was looking for therapy, I didn’t really know what I was looking for either. Then once I found therapists who focused on this medically and emotionally, I remember thinking, “Wow, I didn’t even know this existed.” And when I got my certification, I realized this was absolutely something I wanted to be part of.

Rosa: That’s exactly why I wanted to reach out to people like you. I meet people constantly through real estate and just through everyday life around here, and honestly, nobody talks about these things.

Not one person in my circle growing up ever openly talked about postpartum mental health, birth trauma, or therapy in this way.

That’s why I really wanted to bring these conversations to the forefront.

Brianna: Absolutely.

Rosa: This has been really, really cool. Thank you so much for doing this.

Brianna: Thank you for including me because I really do think these conversations are important. My passion behind all of this has always been helping other parents. Even if I can make a difference in just one parent’s life, that’s a win for me.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to help many parents over the years, and that’s been such an amazing and rewarding experience for me.

Opening my practice and building it around this work has honestly been healing for me too.

Rosa: Well, thank you so much, Brianna.

Supporting Waves of Serenity Counseling Means Supporting Parents Through...

one of the most life-changing and emotionally vulnerable seasons of their lives: pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the transition into parenthood.

As part of Season Two of Business Highlight, I had the opportunity to speak with Brianna Serrano, LCSW, PMH-C, about birth trauma, postpartum mental health, NICU experiences, identity shifts after becoming a parent, and the importance of creating safe spaces where families feel heard and supported.

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation was hearing Brianna speak not only from professional experience, but also from lived experience as a mother herself. Through her work, she helps parents process grief surrounding unexpected birth experiences, navigate postpartum anxiety and depression, strengthen communication between partners, and understand that asking for help is not weakness, it is strength.

This season focuses on resources that are often overlooked but deeply needed within our communities. Many parents do not realize specialized perinatal mental health support even exists until they are already struggling. These conversations are about making those resources more visible, reducing stigma around therapy, and reminding parents that they do not have to go through these experiences alone.

And this is only the beginning. Season Two will continue highlighting local professionals, organizations, and spaces that are making a meaningful difference for parents and families throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Resources Given by Brianna: