LMFT, 5 years of experience
Hi, I’m Sara Burt, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in San Luis Obispo, California. I grew up in Lake Tahoe, shaped by the rhythms of nature—something that still grounds me today. I'm a mother, partner, and someone who finds meaning in quiet moments and honest connection. I approach therapy with curiosity, compassion, and a belief in your capacity to grow and reconnect with yourself. My work draws from relational, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based approaches. I support people navigating motherhood, life transitions, identity shifts, anxiety, grief, and relationship challenges. At the heart of my work is creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and supported. Outside the therapy room, I’m often with my family or hiking local trails with my two Australian Shepherds—bringing the same presence and care into every session.
Starting therapy can feel intimidating and vulnerable—I truly honor the courage it takes to take this first step. In our first session, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you. I’ll ask a few gentle questions to understand what’s bringing you in, what feels heavy, and what you’re hoping might shift. You’re welcome to share whatever feels comfortable. I’ll also share more about how I work and what you can expect moving forward. This session is about beginning to build a space where you feel safe, supported, and understood. You don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to begin.
What stands out in my approach is a deep emphasis on presence, relationship, and listening with care. I offer a grounded, attuned space where you can slow down, explore what’s beneath the surface, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been overlooked. My work is relational and psychodynamic, often incorporating mindfulness and somatic awareness to support insight and self-compassion in a deeply embodied way. I hold advanced training and multiple certifications in perinatal mental health, allowing me to support the emotional complexities of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood with confidence and care. Clients often share that they feel truly seen—not rushed or “treated,” but met as whole people. I bring my full, authentic self to each session and tailor our work to your unique needs and goals. Therapy with me is a steady, unfolding process—one that tends to bring more clarity, emotional depth, and resilience over time.
I feel a deep calling to support women in the tender seasons of trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood. These are profound times of change—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Many of the people I work with carry a mix of exhaustion, hope, grief, and longing. They may be adjusting to new roles, grieving old identities, or simply seeking a space to breathe. My clients tend to be curious, open-minded, and collaborative in nature. They are willing to explore their inner world, even if the path feels uncertain. I offer a grounded, compassionate presence and a steady space where all parts of you are welcome. Together, we explore patterns, relationships, and inner landscapes—not to fix, but to reconnect with yourself, your values, and your strength.
I use relational therapy in my practice because I believe that healing happens in connection. Our relationships—past and present—deeply shape how we experience ourselves and the world. By creating a safe, attuned, and collaborative therapeutic relationship, we can explore patterns, build insight, and foster new ways of relating that support growth, resilience, and self-understanding.
I use psychodynamic therapy because it helps us understand the deeper roots of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By exploring unconscious patterns and early relational experiences, we can bring awareness to what’s been held quietly beneath the surface. This insight creates space for healing, greater self-compassion, and more intentional choices in the present.