professional
professional
professional
I specialize in helping other helpers. This includes other counselors like me or healthcare professionals, parents, or caretakers. This work requires a specific skillset and ability to hold space for what are usually highly guarded defenses and severe burnout.
personal
professional
professional
Opening up honestly about yourself is hard. In order to benefit from counseling, you must trust that what you share is 100% confidential. You will have the ability to set the pace of your own experience and build trust according to your comfort level from the privacy of your own home in our virtual sessions. We will take into account you
Opening up honestly about yourself is hard. In order to benefit from counseling, you must trust that what you share is 100% confidential. You will have the ability to set the pace of your own experience and build trust according to your comfort level from the privacy of your own home in our virtual sessions. We will take into account your unique identity and background, to align the therapeutic process with what is most important to your well- being.
positive
professional
positive
Taking care of your emotional health is a vital part of life, but very often seems out of reach or mysterious. My hope is to make this a positive experience, that is accessible to anyone and easy to understand.
Ideally counseling is a non-judgmental space where you are allowed to be raw, honest, and creative as you explore change.
Sara smith, lpc
I am happy you're here. I want to acknowledge the value of your curiosity in this moment, the insight you already have about yourself, and the courage it takes to ask for help. You have already begun the bold process of change.
I have been working in the field for 14 years, and I have come to realize the counseling process is not about giving advice or trying to fix people, but about honoring all aspects of ourselves and engaging people in a conversation that allows them to reduce inner conflict and process painful emotions. I am in awe of the human experience and consider it a privilege for people to share their inner lives with me.
Approach
We will work together to identify your needs, develop goals, and make effective changes throughout your experience in therapy. The first step is to establish safe space for you. Therapy should allow you to not only find motivation to care for yourself and gain personal insight, but also provide relief from emotional pain, make lasting changes, and find your way back to yourself.
services
I am currently accepting new patients in Oregon. I offer both group and individual therapy. I accept most commercial insurances and Care Oregon, as well as private pay mental health and substance use counseling, which offers the most privacy.
find peace
At times you may feel trapped by your circumstances, experience sadness, feelings of inadequacy, lack motivation, struggle in relationships or your career; but you don't have to continue to feel this way. You have within you an innate ability become a more authentic, happier version of yourself.
Stay curious.
Keep going.