Sarah Simpkins
Are you having difficulty feeling overwhelmed by life's stressors, going through significant life changes, feeling internal pressure to be perfect, experiencing burn out and losing the joy you once had in life? The roller coaster of life can be hard, and sometimes we need a little help. Many people struggle with not having the right emotional resources, tools and coping skills to navigate what life throws at them. Or, you might have significant resources and coping skills, but need an unbiased professional for feedback and support. That's where I come in.. I'm Sarah Simpkins. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Perinatal Mental Health Certified, and Board Certified Art Therapist. I offer individual therapy for older teens and adults struggling with anxiety, women's issues, depression, low self esteem, and stage of life challenges. I combine evidenced base practices with a creative and person centered approach to help you improve your emotional wellness.
I use a mix of approaches in therapy sessions including art, CBT, developing internal resources, emotional identification/processing, and journaling.
Starting therapy can feel scary, daunting, and uncertain. I start the intake process with compassion, active listening, and guided questions to help get the fullest understanding of where you are starting and what progress will look and feel like down the road. If you are ready to start your journey of better emotional well being, reach out today!
First session
In our first session together, we have a conversation about what challenges you are experiencing and how those challenges are impacting your life. I will gather any important context and history regarding your mental health and history, then work together on talking about goals and sessions moving forward.
Strengths
My biggest strength in counseling is my active and empathic listening, person centered approach, as well as solution focused strategies to help you develop tools to better manage your thoughts and feelings.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with highly motivated individuals who are interested in learning about themselves, feel a dedication to exploring alternative and more helpful ways to cope, and are invested in carving out time for themselves. I work best with individuals who are looking for a combination of having time to express and process emotions and life experiences as well as desire to learn and use strategies outside of session.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use tools to help you identify ways in which your thoughts, feeling and behaviors connect. I also provide strategies to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns so you can find alternative and more empathic ways to talk to yourself.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy is about recognition and acknowledgment of challenging emotions, ways to move through those feelings, and make commitments towards positive change. ACT also utilizing mindfulness and meditation as a part of it's practice.
EMDR
I currently only use resourcing and calming strategies like creating a secure and peaceful place, paired with gentle tapping in my EMDR practice until I move to in person sessions
Supportive
I use feeling validation, empathy and active listening, as well as Art Therapy to those who are interested.
Location
Virtual sessions