CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

SM Portrait of Sarena Mestas

Sarena Mestas

Compassionate, practical therapy for mood and relationships

LPC Oregon

Experience
12 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Sarena

Sarena Mestas is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) practicing in Oregon who focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and depression. With 12 years of clinical experience, she blends practical strategies with empathic listening to help people navigate mood and interpersonal challenges.

Background and approach

Her work often addresses related areas such as body image, communication problems, forgiveness, impulsivity, panic attacks, social anxiety, and workplace issues. Sarena uses a tailored approach that draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), client-centered methods, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and narrative techniques.

She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while collaborating with clients to shape treatment plans that match each person's priorities and circumstances. Prospective clients are encouraged to view the first step as an act of courage, and she aims to make the process approachable and collaborative from intake through ongoing sessions.

Approach-Focused Online Therapy with Practical Tools

CBT emphasizes identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, panic, and mood regulation by teaching concrete skills and experiments to test new ways of responding. Client-centered therapy centers on empathic understanding and collaboration, providing a supportive space where a person’s own goals and insights drive the work and self-exploration. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines acceptance and change strategies to build distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially useful for impulsivity, intense mood swings, and communication challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist will work collaboratively to select and adapt techniques based on the client's needs, goals, and preferences. Together they will try methods, review what helps, and refine the plan over time so the treatment fits the person's life and priorities.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care across locations and busy routines, while allowing therapists to use CBT worksheets, DBT skills coaching, mindfulness exercises, and motivational interviewing prompts in ways that suit each client's communication style.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Sarena works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, self-esteem challenges, bipolar disorder, and depression, and also addresses related areas like body image, panic attacks, and workplace issues.
What is the general therapeutic approach and style?
Her style combines empathic, client-centered listening with structured techniques. She integrates CBT, DBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy to create practical, individualized plans.
How much clinical experience does she have?
The therapist brings 12 years of professional experience working with mood and interpersonal concerns in clinical settings.
What are the credentials and where is she licensed?
She holds the LPC credential and is licensed in Oregon with licence number OR LPC c5237.
In which languages can sessions be conducted and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are conducted in English, and she does accept international clients.
Which session formats are available for online work?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy with this clinician?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression

Additional focus areas

Body imageCommunication problemsForgivenessImpulsivityMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Licensed

Oregon

Languages

English