Sarai Perez

(she/her)

LICSW, 10 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I am a bilingual Afro Latina, master’s level therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals across a range of mental health needs. I work primarily with adult women navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions, including motherhood, relationship challenges, and work-life balance. I understand the unique pressures that come with holding multiple roles and expectations, and I strive to create a space where you can slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. With warmth, empathy, and a culturally responsive lens, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and motivational interviewing into my work. I help you explore patterns, understand the deeper roots of your experiences, and build practical tools to manage daily stressors. My approach is both supportive and insight-oriented, allowing you to feel heard while also being gently challenged toward growth. I believe that healing happens in relationship and that everyone deserves a space where they feel seen, valued, and understood. I work collaboratively with you to strengthen self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and support meaningful, lasting change. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply in need of support, I am here to walk alongside you because everyone needs a little help along the way.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In your first session, we’ll focus on getting to know you and what brought you to therapy. I’ll ask questions about your current concerns, your background, and what you’re hoping to get out of our work together. There’s no pressure to share everything at once, this is your space, and we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We’ll also talk about how I work, answer any questions you may have, and go over things like confidentiality and expectations. This session is as much about you getting a feel for me as it is about me learning about you. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, supported, and with a clearer sense of what working together could look like.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

What stands out about my approach is the balance between warmth and practical support. I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, understood, and safe to be yourself, while also helping you build real, usable skills that make a difference in your day-to-day life. I take a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach, meaning I center your identity, lived experiences, and the broader systems that may impact your well-being. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model our work is tailored to you. I integrate evidence-based methods like CBT, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and ACT to help you understand patterns, shift unhelpful thinking, and respond to challenges in more intentional ways. In terms of results, clients often share that they feel more self-aware, more emotionally grounded, and more confident in setting boundaries and navigating relationships. Over time, many notice a greater sense of clarity, improved coping, and the ability to move through difficult emotions without feeling stuck or overwhelmed. My goal is to support you in creating meaningful, lasting change that aligns with who you are and the life you want to build.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am best positioned to support adolescents and adults who are navigating anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional regulation challenges, and relationship concerns. Many of the clients I work with are high-functioning individuals, such as professionals, caregivers, and students who may appear to have things “together” on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected internally. They are often managing multiple responsibilities and expectations, while also trying to make sense of their emotions and experiences. I work well with clients who are open to reflection and are motivated to better understand themselves and their patterns. This includes individuals who want to build healthier coping strategies, improve communication, and develop stronger boundaries in their personal and professional relationships. Many of my clients are also interested in exploring identity, navigating life transitions, and breaking cycles that no longer serve them. My approach is grounded in culturally responsive and trauma-informed care, which means I intentionally center each client’s unique identities, values, and lived experiences. I recognize the impact that culture, community, and systemic stressors can have on mental health, and I strive to create a space that feels affirming, respectful, and safe. I am especially attuned to supporting individuals who may not have always felt seen or understood in traditional therapeutic spaces. Ultimately, I aim to support clients in building greater self-awareness, strengthening emotional regulation, and taking meaningful steps toward the life they want to live. Whether the goal is to feel more balanced, improve relationships, or reconnect with a sense of purpose, I work collaboratively with clients to help them feel empowered, capable, and supported throughout the process.

Specialties

Top specialties
Other specialties

Anxiety

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you build skills to handle difficult thoughts and emotions without feeling controlled by them. Instead of trying to get rid of uncomfortable feelings, we’ll focus on changing how you relate to them, so they have less power over your actions. Together, we’ll also identify what matters most to you and work on taking small, meaningful steps toward those values, even when things feel challenging.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop more balanced ways of thinking that support your goals. We also focus on practical strategies you can use in daily life to manage stress, improve mood, and make meaningful changes in how you respond to challenges.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help you better understand and process your emotions, especially in the context of relationships. Together, we explore patterns in how you connect with others and work to strengthen emotional awareness, communication, and trust. This approach supports you in building more secure, meaningful connections while feeling more understood and supported.

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

I use culturally sensitive therapy to ensure that your identities, values, and lived experiences are centered and respected in our work together. This means we explore how culture, race, family, community, and systems of power may shape your experiences, while honoring your strengths and perspectives. My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported in ways that are meaningful and relevant to you.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

I use mindfulness-based approaches to help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and body in the present moment without judgment. Together, we practice simple strategies like breathing, grounding, and noticing patterns, so you can respond to stress more intentionally rather than react automatically. This approach helps build calm, clarity, and greater control over how you navigate challenges

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.