My formal education focused on psychology and clinical social work. My professional experiences have been in public schools, hospitals and outpatient clinics, the Military, international nonprofits, universities and various community settings. I currently have a private practice with offices in Napa, in addition to my virtual office, where I provide "teletherapy" to clients in both California and Texas.
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My therapy training began in public schools with special education, K-12. I counseled children with mental health concerns and led life skills groups. I worked intensively with adolescents (and their caregivers) in alternative school programs burdened by emotional concerns.
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I spent most of the next decade working in hospitals, both pediatric and adult, assessing and responding to a variety of issues including devastating diagnoses, chronic health conditions, end of life issues, infertility and pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and mental health crises. During this time, I taught and supervised students for the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Social Work. After ten years, I shifted out of the hospital setting to therapist lead of an integrated behavioral healthcare network where I helped build a program for providing mental health and case management to a pediatric and family medical practice serving 30,000 low income families.
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An opportunity led me to England for two years, where I managed a prevention and education campaign related to new parent support and family violence prevention. I educated US Air Force members and families on topics such as stress and anger management, PTSD, resilience, healthy dating, couple's communication and parenting, while co-facilitating support groups on chronic medical conditions. During this time, I also worked with Airmen and families on managing stress before and after deployments and transitioning to civilian life after a military career.
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After a brief return to the U.S. to study Spanish at the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, I moved to South America and worked for the U.S. Embassy while volunteering with a Chilean nonprofit. During this time, I researched advances in counseling and coaching methodology. Although I have a working knowledge of Spanish, I do not provide services in Spanish at this time.
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In 2014, I relocated to Napa, pregnant again after experiencing pregnancy loss. After treating parents for postpartum depression and anxiety, I experienced it first-hand and became aware of a need for expanded maternal mental health support in my community. So I added services to my private practice that would address infertility, pregnancy and postpartum mental health support, Moxie Motherhood, and co-founded a pregnant and postpartum peer support program.
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For almost two decades, I have honed my clinical expertise from problem-focused to possibility-focused. I remain current on research and active in the professional dialogue of wellness, balancing my time between counseling, coaching, teaching, volunteering and parenting. Read more here.
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I welcome the opportunity to support you.

Life can get overwhelming sometimes, and everyone has an opinion on how you should manage it. No matter what you’re dealing with, someone always suggests a quick fix— anxiety: “just calm down;” depression: “just be happy;” or disordered eating: “just eat.” The reality is, if it were that simple, we would all be perfect people and never struggle with anything in our entire lives. That’s just not human nature. So if that’s not the answer, how do we grow and change? How do we resolve the deepest, most wounded parts of ourselves?

There’s a quote by Christine Langley-Obaugh that I love, which says, “We repeat what we don’t repair.” We have to sit with those uncomfortable parts of ourselves—our anxiety, depression, disordered eating, grief—and figure out when and why it showed up. What is it trying to tell us about ourselves and our experience?

That’s what the therapeutic space is for. We put other pieces of our lives on hold for an hour, to sit and listen and process. From there, we can establish a different way for the brain and body to communicate with one another; a way that allows for expression without overwhelm. It’s a process that can take some time, but it is oh so worth it.

Specializing in anxiety, depression, LGBT+ Health, gender care, & body-focused repetitive behaviors via online therapy.

Part of choosing to engage in therapy is choosing to understand yourself more and to seek other perspectives to do so. I engage clients in collaborative processes to assist you not only in improving your relationships with others, but also enriching your relationship with yourself. I collaborate with you to cultivate an intentional life by asking questions you’ve never thought about before. I take great intention in creating a space where you feel supported and accepted, because we must feel a certain level of safety and trust in order to have the courage to change, grow, and be vulnerable.

I am a welcoming therapist with a warm energy committed to providing a client-centered approach that takes into account every aspect of your identity. I particularly enjoy working with young women in emerging adulthood (ages 18-30) but I have experience working with adults of all genders and all ages. I aim to provide LGBTQIA+, sex-positive, affirming services while incorporating a social justice anti-racist framework. In my clinical work, I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy modalities and mindfulness approaches to meet clients “where they are.”

Rupi Kaur writes “What is stronger than the human heart which shatters over and over and still lives?” I consider psychotherapy to be one way that clients strengthen their hearts, and I am continuously inspired by the resilience I see in therapy sessions every day. It is an honor to be a part of my clients’ journeys towards living more meaningful lives.

My approach to therapy is to compassionately keep it real. I believe in working as equal partners you are the expert in your own life and experiences, and I bring expertise in the science of change. With over 20 years of experience, I specialize in addressing stress, anxiety, depression, attention challenges, and the ways these concerns can manifest physically in the body.

Using evidence-based approaches like motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and elements of dialectical behavioral therapy, I create a collaborative space where meaningful growth and healing can happen. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges and work toward positive change.

I have a diverse professional and personal background which allows me a unique perspective. I love earning the trust of my clients and walking through those things in life that have led us into the people we become. Whether sensitively processing to trauma, or tackling unintentional habits, I take great care to prioritize the clients’ goals and collaboration is key! I work with individuals, couples and families on issues ranging anxiety, depression, parenting, marriage, or other relationships issues, and life transitions.

I appreciate working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I use an eclectic approach that tailors the therapeutic process to the unique needs of each client. I have experience treating adolescents, teens, and adults that are facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal ideation, life transitions and self-esteem. I enjoy helping teens with developing future goals for college and career readiness and transitioning into adulthood.
I provide support, coping skills, and a nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel safe sharing their experiences. We will work together to develop and achieve goals.

Sarah works with the team at Tapestry Associates in Marietta square to serve women, young adults and teens and partner with them on their mental health journey.