Casey Berna, a social worker in the endometriosis, fertility, pelvic pain & repro health communities, helps patients navigate the stress, grief and trauma that can come with living with these health challenges through counseling and support groups. Casey is originally from New York where she graduated from Fordham University in 2001, majoring in Social Work and Religious Studies, with a concentration in Peace and Justice Studies. She then graduated with her Master’s of Social Work the following year, completing an accelerated program at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Social Work. Eventually, she came to serve the communities she is active in now, working with individuals and offering support groups to those going through endometriosis, infertility, and pregnancy loss in the New York City area. Casey moved from New York to beautiful Wilmington around 7 years ago. For the past seven years she has coached and supported endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility patients by providing them with resources and guidance as they navigate getting the care they need to meet their life goals. In counseling, Casey utilizes a strengths-based approach to support clients and integrates different therapeutic modalities such as compassion-focused therapy and mindfulness. Many individuals living with endometriosis, infertility and other chronic health issues can feel like they are constantly living in a state of physical crisis. These issues often have a profound impact on not only their physical health, but almost every aspect of their social and emotional wellbeing, inhibiting their relationships and life goals and causing anxiety and depression. Counseling is a way to be supported through the stress, grief and trauma that comes with these conditions. Casey has also worked with expert medical professionals, advocates, and global nonprofits in the endometriosis and infertility fields to improve access to care. She has collaborated with Endowhat, the Endometriosis Summit, the Sister-Girl Foundation, the Endometriosis Foundation of America, and EndoMarch, speaking about the mental health impact of endometriosis and infertility at their public events. She has had the pleasure of working with other nonprofits in the community, such as Endoqueer, Extrapelvic Not Rare, and had the honor of receiving EndoBlack’s Outstanding Ally award at their inaugural gala in 2022. Her documentary, “Endotruths: Impact of Endometriosis and Infertility on Mental Health,” was featured in the Unmentionables Film Festival in Harlem, New York. Casey is very much looking forward to serving patients here in Wilmington and throughout North Carolina state, through both in-person and virtual individual counseling and monthly support and education groups.
