I see psychotherapy as a process of learning more about yourself, appreciating yourself, and trusting your own judgment. It is a way to develop your ability to create more joy in your life and respond to issues that come up in new, creative ways. Because I believe learning is a process that involves your whole self – emotions, thoughts, senses, and movement – my therapy work tends to include attention to these things along with traditional talk therapy. Please read more about my work on this page to get a better idea of if you think my work would be a good fit with your goals for yourself.
My experience:
As a social worker, I have been working with people in very difficult circumstances for over 10 years, including discrimination and oppression, domestic violence, chronic pain, involvement with the child welfare system, chronic mental illness, and homelessness. I am continually amazed to see how people can heal themselves and transform their lives. My areas of specialty as a therapist include chronic pain and recovery from trauma. I use body-centered work, strength-based and feminist work, energetic imagery, mindfulness, and social work.
Body-centered work:
Sometimes there are no words for an experience – in fact, each of us developed core parts of our personalities as babies, before we knew any words. Sometimes talking about a traumatic experience before you are ready can make you feel worse, either re-traumatizing you, or reinforcing the negative beliefs you have about your own safety or capabilities. Recent research is showing that addressing the physical symptoms of emotional trauma can have dramatically effective results for people’s emotional well-being. I use body-oriented techniques, including the Feldenkrais Method, to help you bring overwhelming emotions to a manageable level, process traumatic memories, and respond to the world the way you want to. These techniques involve bringing your attention to your posture, movement, and physical sensations.
Strength-Based Work:
The focus in strength-based work is your internal resources & external supports, your values or spiritual beliefs, and your image of yourself and what you can be. How have your “bad habits” protected you in the past? What makes you feel powerful? When do you feel joy? While acknowledging and honoring the restrictions and difficulties of real life, we emphasize the resources you have and the development of new skills.
Social Work/Community Connections:
As a social worker, I recognize that often our “psychological problems” are actually healthy responses to an unhealthy society. I am sensitive to social justice issues and the effects that oppressions and differences in privilege have on all of us. As part of my practice, I try to help people connect to resources and activities in the community that will support them in getting through hard times and moving toward a more fulfilling life.
Other influences:
I have found a great deal of my own healing through my yoga practice, energy work and studying Buddhist writers, and I enjoy sharing these simple techniques with my clients.
Fees:
I offer psychotherapy services through Conexiones and the Center for Trauma Recovery, a group of bilingual therapists with a special interest in culturally informed treatment of individual and collective trauma. We accept many insurance plans and accept self-pay clients as well. Two of my groups may be covered by insurance as a mental health service: Overcoming Your Pain and Emotions and the Body.
Please call Sara at Conexiones for more information about billing and fees: 503-235-8057, ext. 7 – or visit the website at www.conexiones.us
For more information:
To help you with your search for the right therapist, I am available for a free initial phone consultation - up to ½-hour – so you can decide if my style is a good fit for you. You can call me directly at 503-380-5437.