Sarah’s journey into mental health counseling was inspired by her firsthand experiences witnessing caregiver fatigue within her own family. Initially working with children and families, she felt a deep pull toward supporting those caring for loved ones with dementia and other cognitive disabilities. As she observed her own parents care for aging grandparents and witnessed the emotional and physical toll it took, she realized the critical need for mental health support tailored to caregivers. This passion led her to focus on dementia care and family support, where she integrates her expertise in attachment-focused therapies, somatic psychotherapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to help clients manage stress, emotional overwhelm, and complex family dynamics.
With over six years of experience in family and caregiver support, Sarah understands the challenges that come with navigating the healthcare system, accessing resources, and maintaining emotional well-being. She believes that no two families are the same, and each care plan should reflect the unique challenges and strengths of the individuals involved. She collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams—including physicians, neuropsychologists, nurses, and social workers—to ensure comprehensive, holistic care for her clients. Recognizing that many necessary supports may not always be available or affordable, she works diligently to help families identify creative, "good enough" solutions to meet their needs.
A firm believer in cultural sensitivity, Sarah prioritizes inclusivity in her practice, ensuring that therapy is tailored to each client’s unique background and identity. She acknowledges that she is an expert in mental health, but not in her clients’ lived experiences, and she approaches therapy with a deep respect for the knowledge and resilience they bring. She actively engages in ongoing education and consultation to stay current with best practices in dementia care, senior mental health, and caregiver support. By regularly attending continuing education courses and consulting with professionals from diverse fields, she remains committed to evolving her practice and providing the highest standard of care.
One of the most difficult aspects of her work is when the best possible support for a family or client is simply unavailable due to systemic barriers within the healthcare system. In these situations, Sarah works closely with families to explore community resources, informal support networks, and practical coping strategies to bridge the gaps in care. She also understands that caregivers often struggle with their own emotional and physical health due to the immense demands placed upon them. Through a combination of mindfulness techniques, stress-focused coping strategies, and reframing exercises, she helps caregivers build resilience and regain a sense of control over their own well-being.
Sarah currently offers virtual counseling and wrap-around services through Magnolia, providing flexible, accessible mental health support to caregivers and individuals facing life’s challenges. To ensure a good relationship fit, she prioritizes a foundation of a trusting, effective therapeutic alliance. She is dedicated to fostering resilience, self-awareness, and empowerment in her clients, helping them find balance and strength in their caregiving roles and personal lives.
Her approach blends empirical, clinical care with emotional processing, recognizing that difficult conversations—around topics such as cognitive decline, long-term care, and end-of-life planning—often involve deep-seated emotions that must be acknowledged before practical steps can be taken. She helps families navigate these conversations by addressing the emotional barriers first, then providing research-supported care strategies and resources to support decision-making. By meeting her clients where they are emotionally and practically, Sarah ensures that they feel heard, validated, and supported throughout their caregiving journey.