CPC, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m Sarah Poirier, an LCPC who specializes in helping adult children of alcoholics, people from dysfunctional families, and anyone carrying attachment wounds that still shape their present. I’m direct, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping you heal the long-term effects of trauma so you can finally feel steady, empowered, and understood. I bring lived experience, trauma-informed care, EMDR training, and a grounded, nonjudgmental space where you don’t have to “hold it all together” anymore. Together, we’ll untangle old patterns, build healthier boundaries, and create a life that actually feels like yours.
In our first session, we’ll slow things down and create a space that feels safe and judgment-free. I’ll invite you to share what’s been bringing you to therapy, at your own pace. We’ll talk about what’s been working, what hasn’t, and what you hope to change or better understand. I’ll also ask some background questions to get a fuller picture of your experiences, but there’s no pressure to go into detail before you’re ready. My goal is to help you leave that first session feeling seen, supported, and a little more hopeful about the path forward. Together, we’ll identify clear goals and start mapping out a plan that fits your needs and comfort level.
My therapeutic approach combines evidence-based methods with a compassionate, individualized focus. I integrate EMDR, CBT, ACT, attachment-based, and polyvagal-informed therapies to address both the cognitive and emotional impact of trauma. I help clients understand how early experiences influence current thoughts, behaviors, and relationships, while developing practical tools for healing and regulation. My style is collaborative, direct, and supportive—I aim to create a space where you feel safe to explore challenges while working toward meaningful, lasting change. Clients often describe my approach as both grounding and empowering, helping them move from surviving to thriving with greater clarity and self-understanding.
work best with adults who grew up in chaotic or emotionally neglectful families and now find themselves struggling with anxiety, people-pleasing, self-criticism, or feeling “not enough.” Many of my clients are high-functioning on the outside but exhausted from holding it all together inside. You may crave healthy relationships, boundaries, and a sense of calm—but find it hard to let your guard down or trust that it’s safe to do so. My approach helps you understand where these patterns began, learn to regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with the parts of you that deserve compassion and care. Together, we’ll create space for healing, balance, and self-acceptance so you can move from simply surviving to genuinely living.
I use ACT to help you make peace with what you can’t control and take steps toward a life that feels meaningful and authentic.
I use CBT to help clients recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts, building healthier patterns and emotional resilience.
I use attachment-based therapy to explore how past relationships impact the way you connect today and to create more secure, fulfilling bonds.
EMDR helps you safely reprocess painful experiences so they no longer hold the same power over your present life.
I use polyvagal-informed therapy to help clients understand their nervous system responses and restore a sense of safety and regulation.