Sara Arter
LCSW, 14 years of experience
About me
"I'm an LCSW specializing in CBT, EMDR, DBT, and play therapy to support clients in developing coping skills and fostering growth. With 14 years of experience, I prioritize compassionate care, active listening, and honesty. My approach centers on creating a safe environment for individuals to explore their challenges, build resilience, and achieve positive outcomes in managing anxiety, depression, and the complexities of childhood and adolescence."
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, we'll focus on getting to know each other and understanding your unique story. This initial session, often called the intake session, is a safe and confidential space where you can share what brings you to counseling. I'll listen attentively as you share your concerns, challenges, and goals. This is a crucial time for me to gather important information about your background, current difficulties, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, express your expectations, and together we'll start building a trusting therapeutic relationship that will guide our work moving forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Some of my greatest strengths as a therapist include being friendly and approachable, creating a welcoming atmosphere for clients to feel comfortable in. I am deeply compassionate, genuinely caring about each individual's well-being and journey. Listening attentively is a cornerstone of my practice, ensuring that clients feel heard and understood. I am also an advocate for my clients, dedicated to their growth and empowerment throughout our work together.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
"I specialize in serving children, teens, and young adults facing school-related challenges, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, difficult life adjustments like divorce, as well as pre and postpartum issues. With a compassionate approach, I offer targeted support and interventions to guide individuals through these sensitive experiences, promoting resilience, emotional well-being, and positive personal growth."
Specialties
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Serves ages
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
"CBT is immensely helpful in recognizing and changing negative thought patterns, leading to a more positive outlook and improved coping skills."
EMDR
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and incorporate it regularly into my work with children, teens, and young adults. My approach is gentle, creative, and developmentally tailored — helping clients safely process distressing memories, reduce emotional reactivity, and build adaptive coping skills. I often combine EMDR with elements of CBT, mindfulness, and parts work to support regulation and insight throughout the healing process.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
"DBT provides clients with practical tools to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and enhance mindfulness, leading to greater emotional regulation and overall well-being."
Strength-Based
"A strengths-based counseling approach helps individuals recognize and build upon their inherent strengths and resources, empowering them to overcome challenges, improve self-esteem, and achieve their goals with a sense of resilience and empowerment."