Hi, I'm Sara Sumner! Life can be difficult and challenging, and sometimes problems feel too big to manage on our own. There are times we all need extra support and guidance to get navigate through a problem or situation you just can't seem to overcome. I am here to provide understanding, compassion and over 20 years of experience to assist you on your journey towards change and happiness. My clinical background includes employment in private practice, community mental health centers, Hospice and public school systems. I've had extensive experience working with adolescents, young adults and their families. I'm comfortable with teenagers and am able to build relationships with them by using humor and an easy-going approach that can put even a resistant client at ease. I also enjoy working with adults, and couples and have training in Gottman marriage counseling. I am a life-long learner and am always striving to improve my knowledge and skills and stay up to date with the latest research.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
If we work together, we will start by identifying your goals and figuring out what is keeping you from having a satisfying and fulfilling life. We will also work at strengthening what is already going right in your life! You can feel better and make the changes you want to and I look forward to supporting you on your journey. Just reading this bio is a start to change...congratulations on taking your first step to feeling better!
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I employ collaborative and evidenced-based approaches to counseling including Cognitive-Behavioral, Narrative, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and DBT therapeutic techniques to address a wide variety of life circumstances. Working together as a team, we can measurably improve your depression/anxiety, self-esteem issues, relationships struggles, grief and loss difficulties, unhelpful behaviors, or life stage changes.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My biggest strength is making connections with people and helping them feel heard and respected and not judged, no matter what the topic we are discussing.