About Me

Welcome, I am happy you are here.

My name is Sarah and I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about complex trauma. I help people gently untangle the knots life has tied in their nervous systems. I’m trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and weave these approaches together with polyvagal-informed strategies to help clients heal both body and mind.

Every part of you is invited to therapy- the anxious overthinker, the perfectionist, the tired one who would love a nap, the people-pleaser who’s trying their best, and even the skeptical part that’s not sure therapy works. Through IFS, we get curious about these parts and help them shift from overwhelmed to supported, from overworking to relaxing, and from protective to trusting. EMDR helps your brain finally process what it’s been holding onto. Think of it as clearing out old emotional pop-up ads so your nervous system can run smoother. With polyvagal principles woven throughout, sessions often include noticing your body’s cues, exploring what safety feels like, and helping your system learn it doesn’t have to live in fight, flight, or freeze.

My style is grounded, collaborative, and sprinkled with humor, because healing is serious work, but it doesn’t have to feel heavy every second. Therapy with me is collaborative, I bring the tools, but you bring the wisdom of your lived experience, and together we help your system move toward more clarity, calm, and confidence.

Whether we’re helping a protector part take a well-deserved break, rewiring stuck trauma responses, or simply practicing what safety feels like in the body, my goal is always the same, to support you in healing with compassion, curiosity, and a little bit of lightness along the way.

Areas of Focus

Complex PTSD

Trauma/developmental trauma

Anxiety

Depression

Life transitions

Family conflict

Codependency

Relationship issues

Domestic abuse/violence

Body image and eating disorders

Women’s issues

Education and Training

Liscened Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois

Masters of Social Work at The University of Illinois Chicago

Bachelors in Psychology at Calvin University

EMDR Basic Training through EMDR Consulting and with Paula Merucci of EMDR Chicago

IFS Circle Training through IFS Institute

EMDR and IFS Practioner Program through Trauma Therapist Institute