AUTHOR

Silvi Saxena MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C

(She/Her)

Licensing & Certifications:

Masters of Business Administration
Masters in Social Work
Licensed Social Worker
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Oncology Social Work Certification

Professional Background

Silvi Saxena is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and a Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C) working out of Philadelphia, PA. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Human Development and Family Studies, a Masters in Social work from University of Pennsylvania, a Post-Master’s Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University and an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Silvi has a decade of experience working as a licensed medical social worker and mental health clinician. She has worked with patients of all ages with a wide variety of complex medical and psychosocial concerns. She has extensive experience in end-of-life care, palliative care, and chronic illness in home settings as well as in the hospitals and nursing facilities. She has worked with children, adults, couples, families and groups facilitating counseling related to physical illness, mental health issues, grief and loss, complex trauma, couples issues, and life transitions with a trauma-focused lens.

She serves as the Co-chair of the pain, palliative, and end of life special interest group at the Association for Oncology Social Workers and is a member of both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Network for Social Work Management. She is passionate about bringing quality medical and mental health care to all and bridging gaps in access to medical care, therapy, and ongoing treatment needs, especially to those who are most vulnerable in the healthcare system.

She has a special interest and commitment to healthcare-related employee wellness and supporting our providers so they can provide the best care for their patients. She has worked with individual physicians to support healthcare worker burnout and compassion fatigue prior to and throughout the pandemic.

Silvi has been featured in Choosing Therapy, Yahoo! Life, Hello Giggles, PsychCentral, Hospice Chaplaincy, Silk and Sonder, SingleCare, Los Angeles Wave Newspapers, Mahevash Muses, The Best Schools, and Miss Grass. For more information, check out her site at silvisaxena.com.

Professional Affiliations

Association of Oncology Social Work
- Position: Co-chair for the Pain, Palliative, End of Life Special Interest Group
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: Member
The Network for Social Work Management: Member

Education

BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University Park, Minor in English
MSW (Clinical) from University of Pennsylvania
Change Leadership Certificate, Cornell University
MBA, Quantic School of Business and Technology

Why I Write for Choosing Therapy

I write for Choosing Therapy because I believe deeply in their mission and vision and connecting people to accessible and understandable mental health content and care. I also get to work with a phenomenal team of editorial staff who keep standards high so the best quality content is published. There is so much content that is available, but very little content written and checked by practicing clinicians. The quality of the final piece is exemplary and it is a joy to work with people who care about the integrity of original content.

Areas of Focus

Silvi specializes in grief, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She also has experience in many other areas of mental healthcare.

Individual children and adult, couples and group counseling for anxiety and depression, life transitions, relationship issues, and mood swings, including seasonal affective disorder
Counseling for individuals and families at end of life, with chronic and terminal illness, cancer and pain issues
Counseling for individuals, couples, and families with a new lifestyle change due to medical concerns including new diagnoses and amputations
Individual children and adult, couples, family, and group counseling for grief and bereavement, including COVID-19 related loss
Individual, couples, and family counseling for PTSD for veterans, survivors, and other trauma-related to personal injury or traumatic event
Culturally sensitive counseling for adults including interethnic relationships, interfaith families, and LGBTQ+ issues
Career development and coaching for new grads and employee wellness, burnout issues, and compassion fatigue
Trauma-informed individual counseling for anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, relationship concerns, and attachment issues
Individual and family counseling for attachment style dysfunction and family conflict
Counseling for women around pregnancy issues, prenatal and postpartum issues
Individual, couples, and family counseling for personality disorders eating disorders, and mood disorders
Individual, couples, and family counseling with modalities including Attachment Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, CBT, EFT for Couples, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy and Trauma-Informed Therapy

Grieving the Loss of a Sibling: 10 Ways to Cope

The grief of losing a sibling can feel insurmountable. However, there are ways to manage that grief without shoving it aside or letting it overwhelm you. Giving yourself time to grieve, leaning on friends and family for support, and incorporating self-care practices into your routine are all ways to cope with such a substantial loss.

June 8, 2023

Anxiety Vs. Depression: Understanding the Differences

There are many differences between anxiety and depression including symptoms and treatment options. While it may feel like the symptoms overlap (and they can), they ultimately stem from distinct mental health issues.

February 2, 2023

Can PTSD Cause Hallucinations and Psychosis?

Can PTSD Cause Hallucinations & Psychosis?

It is not uncommon for those with PTSD to experience symptoms related to psychosis, such as hallucinations. Sometimes, these symptoms can indicate trauma that is unresolved and in need of addressing. PTSD is a complex diagnosis, and it is important to consider all the ways it can impact you. However, this is a condition that can be managed with effective treatment.

November 14, 2022

Can You Die From Loneliness?

Loneliness can lead to adverse health issues and trigger early death. Feeling lonely isn’t the same as being alone, but sometimes the two can overlap.

March 5, 2024

“Starting therapy and reading about all the different mental health conditions, relationship topics and symptoms can be overwhelming. If you are feeling this way, you are not alone and you are on a wonderful path on reclaiming some part of yourself. Congratulations to you for starting this brave journey. Take just one step at a time, pause when you need to, but keep going. It will be worth it!”

Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C