Sarah Komatsu
Hi, I'm Sarah. I'm a licensed mental health counselor and EMDR-trained therapist based in Washington State, with nearly a decade of experience supporting individuals through trauma, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, and relationship dynamics. My practice is grounded in creating a warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth environment where you can show up entirely as yourself. I integrate trauma-informed modalities included EMDR, DBT skills, and mindfulness to help you build practical coping skills, process painful experiences, and reconnect with your personal strengths. Whether you are navigating anxiety, healing past hurts, or looking to build emotional resilience, we will work at a pace that feels safe and meaningful to you.
First session
In our first session, my primary focus is making sure you feel welcomed, comfortable, and heard without judgment. We will discuss what brought you to therapy, review your background and goals, and clarify what you hope to achieve. You can expect a warm, collaborative environment where we can set the stage for care at a comfortable pace. You will leave the session with initial clarity on your treatment and a clear understanding of how we will partner together to support your progress.
Strengths
I bring a balanced, authentic approach to therapy. I combine warm, non-judgmental acceptance with active, collaborative engagement. Rather than just sitting back, I actively engage with you to explore patterns, teach actionable skills (such as DBT emotional regulation and distress tolerance), and facilitate EMDR processing when appropriate. My background across diverse settings allows me to meet clients with deep empathy, clear communication, and practical strategies. I strive to hold a safe space where you can feel both completely supported and gently challenged to pursue genuine growth and lasting change.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are adults and young adults navigating life transitions, healing from past trauma, managing chronic stress, or working through relationship and family dynamics. They often present as motivated, reflective, and open to self-discovery, but may feel stuck in cycles of overwhelm, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion. They are looking for an active, supportive, and practical therapy experience where they can gain insight, process difficult memories, and learn concrete skills to regain balance in their daily lives.
Treatment methods
EMDR
I use EMDR to help clients process distressing memories, past trauma, or deeply held negative beliefs (like "I am not safe" or "I am not enough") that continue to trigger anxiety or emotional pain in the present. Instead of just talking through a painful memory, EMDR uses gentle, guided side-to-side eye moments and/or rhythmic tapping while you recall parts of the event. This dual attention helps your brain reprocess the experience allowing you to digest the memory so it loses its intense emotional charge. You will still remember what happened, but it will no longer trigger the same stress reaction in your body, freeing you to move forward with a strong sense of calm and self-worth.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT skills to help clients who feel overwhelmed by intense emotions, frequent stress, or difficulty navigating relationships. DBT focuses on finding a balance between accepting where you are right now while actively learning practical tools to create positive change. In our work together, we focus on four core skill areas: - Mindfulness: Learning to stay present in the moment without getting swept away by judgment or overwhelming thoughts. - Distress Tolerance: Practical, real-time strategies to get through emotional crises or high-stress moments without making the situation worse. - Emotional Regulation: Understanding your emotional triggers and learning how to decrease vulnerability to painful feelings. - Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building healthy boundaries, communicating your needs clearly, and managing relationship conflict effectively. Instead of simply talking about your problems, DBT gives you a tangible toolkit of actionable strategies you can practice and rely on in your day-to-day life.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- WashingtonLicense MHC.LH.70100692