Individual Therapy · Portland, OR
Space to breathe.
Space to change.
Individual therapy in Portland and across Oregon. For adults navigating anxiety, burnout, and the weight of doing it all.
Who I Work With
You might be here because…
“You can’t turn off the anxious chatter”
You’re accomplished and capable. You also lie awake replaying conversations, preparing for scenarios that may never happen, and feeling vaguely wrong even when things are objectively okay.
“You’re running on empty”
Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s losing interest in things that used to matter, feeling disconnected from yourself, and wondering how it got this far without you noticing.
“Something is shifting”
A relationship, a career, a sense of who you are — something is in transition. You want to navigate it with intention rather than just waiting for it to pass.
About
Hi. I’m Sarah.
I’m a licensed clinical social worker with 12 years of experience working with adults navigating anxiety, burnout, and life transitions.
I trained at Portland State and did my postgraduate work in EMDR and Internal Family Systems — two approaches I find deeply effective and deeply human. But I’ll be honest: modality is less important to me than relationship. The research is clear that the most significant factor in therapy outcomes is whether you feel understood by your therapist.
I work with a lot of high-achievers who present fine on the outside and feel like they’re barely holding it together on the inside. I work with people at crossroads — career, relationships, identity. I work with people who’ve never been to therapy and people who’ve been in and out of it for years.
My office is in the Division/Hawthorne neighborhood of SE Portland. I also see clients across Oregon and Washington via telehealth.
The first call is free. No commitment.
My Approach
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy.
With some clients, we do deep trauma work using EMDR — a structured approach that helps the brain process stuck memories in ways that talk therapy alone sometimes can’t reach.
With others, we use Internal Family Systems, or “parts work” — a framework for understanding the different voices inside you: the perfectionist, the inner critic, the part of you that just wants to rest. When those parts stop fighting each other, things tend to get quieter.
And with many clients, especially at the beginning, we just talk. I ask a lot of questions. I listen a lot. I’ll notice things you might not notice. Over time, a picture emerges.
Therapy isn’t linear. Some weeks we go deep. Some weeks we troubleshoot. Some weeks you need to just be heard. All of that is valid.
What to Expect
How we’d begin
Free 15-minute call
We spend 15 minutes on the phone. I’ll ask what’s bringing you in. You can ask me anything. There’s no obligation.
Intake session (50 min)
Our first full session is about understanding where you are and what you’re hoping for. We’ll talk about your history, your goals, and I’ll share my initial impressions.
Weekly sessions
Most clients start with weekly 50-minute sessions. We’ll adjust frequency as we go based on what feels right.
Ongoing, at your pace
Some people work with me for 3 months. Some for 3 years. The timeline is yours. I’ll be honest with you when I think we’re done.
The Practical Stuff
Fees & availability
$175 per 50-minute session.
I’m not in-network with insurance. I can provide a superbill (detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients receive 40–70% reimbursement — worth checking your plan’s out-of-network mental health benefits.
In-person in SE Portland, or telehealth for Oregon and Washington residents.
Tuesday through Friday, 9AM–6PM. Limited early evening slots available.
Currently accepting new clients. Waiting list available if I’m full.
48-hour notice required for cancellations.
Client Voices
Shared with permission. Details changed to protect privacy.
“I started seeing Sarah after I realized I’d been anxious for so long I couldn’t remember what it felt like not to be. A year later, the anxious chatter is quieter. Not gone — quieter. That’s more than I expected.”
— Client, early 30s, anxiety
“I came in burned out and skeptical of therapy. Sarah didn’t try to fix me immediately or hand me worksheets. She just helped me understand why I’d gotten to this point, and slowly things started to shift.”
— Client, late 30s, burnout + career transition
“I’ve had other therapists who felt clinical. Sarah feels like a person — warm, honest, and direct when I needed her to be. I’ve never felt judged. That matters more than I expected.”
— Client, 40s, relationship + life transitions
Common Questions
You might be wondering…
If you’re wondering, that’s usually a sign it might help. Therapy is for everyone — not just people in crisis. Many of my clients come in functioning well externally and feeling stuck internally.
First-timers are welcome. We’ll go at your pace. The first session is really just a conversation.
It depends on what you’re working on. Some clients see meaningful shifts in 12 sessions. Some work with me for years. I’ll be honest with you about what I’m observing.
Therapy is licensed, regulated, and focuses on mental health and wellbeing. We can also explore patterns from the past and how they’re showing up today. Coaching tends to be future-focused and goal-oriented, but doesn’t require a license.
No. I’m a social worker, not a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. If medication might be helpful, I’m happy to coordinate with a prescribing provider.
I don’t bill insurance directly. I can provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients receive partial reimbursement — worth checking with your plan.
It happens, and that’s okay. I’d rather you find the right therapist than stay with the wrong one. I’ll tell you honestly if I think someone else might serve you better, and I can provide referrals.
Get in Touch
Let’s talk.
The free 15-minute consultation call is the easiest place to start. No commitment. Just a conversation.