My own health crisis was a catalyst for change. I had the opportunity to reflect on my own life and chose a career in which I could flourish and grow despite my physical limitations. After over 20 years in healthcare as a massage therapist, energy worker studying indigenous and holistic medicine, and as a medical and psychiatric nurse (RN, CWOCN), I received my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Certificate in Ecopsychology, and Certification in Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (CDBT). I am a Nationally Board Certified Counselor. Through counseling I weave together my diverse skills and many years of experience in patient care to provide safe, client-centered, and compassionate counseling services.

Choosing a Counselor is personal. There are as many different styles of therapy as there are types of people. This is great in that there are many more choices than there used to be; however, it can be dauting to know how to choose. It's important to get a sense of the counselor and feel that they are on your "wavelength" before deciding. My theoretical orientation (my education and preferred use of techniques and skills) are Rogerian, Ecopsychological, and Dialectical Behavioral.

This Rogerian foundation places unconditional positive regard for all clients in the highest priority. It is an egalitarian relationship where you are empowered to set goals, decide what resonates for you, and are seen as the expert of your own life.

I use DBT to establish a core of mindfulness-based and cognitive-based skills, self-care, and coping strategies. This creates a strong foundation of psychoeducation and skill use to identify and alleviating suffering. These are the skills required to make meaningful and lasting positive changes, and to feel confident in your skills and ability to continue your journey of self growth independently.

I use Ecotherapy techniques in a highly personalized manner. Exploring your personal relationship with nature cultivates connection. This includes mindfulness and inner work to increase and strengthen our feeling of connectivity and belonging. Ecotherapy is at it's core engaging in a reciprocal way with Nature.

Ecotherapy is rooted in climate and social justice. It is an empowering approach to address: eco-grief and eco-depression, burnout from activism, addressing social justice issues that are related to a minoritized or oppressed identity you may hold, or decolonizing work to address privilege and colonization.

There are many ways in which the natural world can be a catalyst for change; the possibilities for supporting your healing process are endless and unique to every person.

I utilize Judith Herman's groundbreaking Trauma and Recovery Model, the Duluth Model for victim's of domestic violence, and Sandra L. Brown's research in the area of narcissistic and psychopathic abuse. These approaches are feminist and empowering to victims. These evidence based models serve to non-judgmentally provide a solid foundation for overcoming trauma and breaking the cycle of violence.

I find some clients gravitate to one aspect of the differing types of therapy described, some to a couple, and some to all. The choice is yours! We will be partners in discovering what works for you to create the changes you would like to see in your life. 
About Sara Simpson  image