We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda-Jo Serrano. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda-Jo below.
Amanda-Jo , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a counselor, but looking back, the path was unfolding all along. Like many people, I’ve walked through seasons of uncertainty, pain, and growth. There were times in my life when I felt stuck, caught in old patterns, unsure of how to move forward, and questioning my own worth and purpose. But along the way, I found support. There were people who stood beside me when things felt heavy, people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. And there were moments when someone offered a new perspective or asked the right question that helped me see things differently. Those experiences changed me.
They also sparked something deep inside: the desire to give back what was given to me. I realized how transformative it can be to have someone in your corner, someone who listens without judgment and helps you find clarity, courage, and hope. That’s where my purpose as a counselor began to take shape. I wanted to be that person for someone else—the one who helps them feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate their own healing journey.
Over time, this drive only grew stronger. I found myself drawn to understanding how people change, why we get stuck in patterns that no longer serve us, and how we can rewrite the stories we tell ourselves. Through education, training, and my own inner work, I came to believe deeply in the power of connection, self-awareness, and choice. We all have the ability to redefine our lives, even after seasons of hurt, loss, or feeling disconnected from ourselves.
Today, as a counselor, I feel honored to sit with people in their most vulnerable spaces and witness their resilience. I help individuals and couples who feel stuck or disconnected find their way back to themselves and to the relationships that matter most. My life experience, the support I’ve received, and my own healing have all led me here, to this work that feels less like a job and more like a calling.
My purpose is to help others create change, find balance, and embrace who they are becoming. To remind them they are not alone and that it’s never too late to reclaim their story.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hi, I’m Amanda-Jo, LPC-MHSP
Owner of Lavender Haven Counseling PLLC
Located in Brentwood and Clarksville, TN
I specialize with individuals and couples and I understand how it feels to be stuck in old patterns, unsure of how to break free, and craving deeper connections but unsure where to start. I’ve been there myself, and through my own personal journey and extensive experience as a therapist, I’ve learned that real healing happens when we feel seen, supported, and empowered to rewrite the stories that no longer serve us. As an expert in trauma and attachment, my focus is on helping you reconnect to your authentic self, heal the parts that have been abandoned or neglected, and restore the self-confidence and relationships you deserve.
In our work together, I provide a warm, authentic, and non-judgmental space where you can show up as you are. I use a combination of CBT, ACT, DBT, EMDR, and EFTto help you heal past wounds, strengthen your sense of self, improve communication, and break free from the cycles that have kept you stuck. By addressing unresolved trauma and attachment wounds, we work to restore your inner sense of safety, allowing you to show up more fully in your relationships and life. I also specialize in working with the sober curious community, offering a non-AA approach to help you redefine your relationship with alcohol in a way that aligns with your values.
In my free time, I love getting out in nature, traveling to new destinations, cuddling with my Cavalier King Charles therapy dog, and embracing everything the world has to offer. My approach blends directness with compassion, and lightheartedness with deep care for your growth. I believe in doing the real work while making space for humor, connection, and rediscovery of your true self. Whether you’re seeking to heal from past trauma, strengthen your relationships, or finally begin to live authentically, I’m here to guide you through every step of your journey. Let’s take that next step together and create lasting change.
In addition to being a counselor, I am also a Certified PIVOT Relationship Coach. My work with PIVOT allows me to support individuals and couples in a deeper, more intentional way, whether they’re seeking healthier relationship dynamics, personal growth, or a clearer understanding of their emotional patterns.
As a PIVOT coach, I specialize in helping people identify and shift the core relational patterns that often keep them feeling stuck, disconnected, or unfulfilled. Using the PIVOT process, we focus on building secure attachment, emotional regulation, and self-awareness, all while learning practical tools to strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and create meaningful connections.
One of the most powerful parts of this work has been facilitating PIVOT retreats. These immersive, transformational experiences create space for deep reflection, healing, and clarity, whether it’s for individuals looking to reconnect with themselves, or couples seeking to rebuild trust and intimacy. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing incredible breakthroughs as clients begin to rewrite their stories and cultivate relationships that feel safe, fulfilling, and aligned with their core values.
My passion lies in helping people heal from past relational wounds and create healthier, more authentic connections both with themselves and with others. Whether through retreats, intensive coaching, or ongoing support, I’m committed to helping my clients redefine how they show up in their relationships and experience the kind of connection they deserve.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, there are three qualities and skills that stand out as the most impactful in shaping who I am as a counselor and relationship coach: **self-awareness, empathy with boundaries, and a commitment to continual learning.**
Self-Awareness
I believe everything begins here. The more I understood my own patterns, triggers, and emotional responses, the better I was able to show up fully and authentically for my clients. Self-awareness has helped me stay grounded, present, and intentional—both personally and professionally.
Advice:
Invest in your own healing and growth. Go to therapy, do the inner work, and get curious about your own story. The more clarity and compassion you have for yourself, the more you’ll be able to offer it to others without getting tangled in their process.
Empathy with Boundaries
I’ve always been an empathetic person, but learning how to balance empathy with healthy boundaries has been a game-changer. It allows me to hold space for my clients’ pain without taking it on or losing myself in their process. Boundaried empathy keeps you effective and sustainable in this work.
Advice:
Practice holding compassionate space without feeling responsible for fixing or rescuing. Know where your role ends and your client’s responsibility begins. Boundaries are not walls—they’re the foundation for safe, ethical, and supportive relationships in this field.
Commitment to Continual Learning
The world of counseling and coaching is constantly evolving, and staying curious has kept me inspired. Whether it was becoming a Certified PIVOT Relationship Coach or diving deeper into attachment theory and trauma-informed practices, continually learning has deepened my skills and kept me connected to my purpose.
Advice:
Find modalities and frameworks that resonate with you and become a student of them. Be open to feedback, seek supervision, and surround yourself with peers and mentors who challenge and support your growth. Stay humble, there’s always more to learn.
Final Thought:
Early in the journey, it’s easy to feel like you have to have it all figured out. You don’t. What matters is that you show up with integrity, stay committed to your own growth, and trust the process. This work is as much about becoming as it is about helping others do the same.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been stepping fully into the role of business owner and leader while staying connected to my heart as a clinician and coach. Developing and opening Lavender Haven Counseling PLLC has been one of the most rewarding and stretching experiences of my life.
I’ve grown in my ability to balance both the clinical and business sides of private practice. Whether it was navigating logistics, creating systems, designing a space that feels safe and welcoming, or handling the inevitable moments of self-doubt that come with starting something new, I’ve had to develop a whole new skill set. I’ve learned to trust myself more, to make decisions from a place of clarity and confidence, and to lead with both purpose and intention.
But more than anything, this journey has been about alignment making sure everything about Lavender Haven reflects my values and the kind of healing space I want to offer. I’ve deepened my understanding of who I serve and how I want to show up, and I’ve learned to hold boundaries so I can show up consistently and sustainably.
This past year has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but it’s also confirmed for me that I am exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m incredibly proud of Lavender Haven Counseling and the community it’s beginning to build. It’s a reflection of years of personal and professional growth, and it’s just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lavenderhavencounselingpllc.org https://care.headway.co/providers/amandajo-serrano?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=126134
- Instagram: @redheadedtherapist_aj
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajo-serrano-75100820b/
- Other: https://meetmonarch.com/therapist/amanda-jo-serrano-lpc-mhsp-brentwood-tnAlso webpage is getting finalized this week and I would like to include it
Image Credits
https://emilydavisphotography99.mypixieset.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
