Sara is a clinically trained Social Worker and Counsellor with a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor degree in Social Work from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Arts specializing in the fields of Psychology and Sociology from Mount Allison University.
Sara has a strong background in crisis management, resource management, trauma-informed care and various therapeutic schools of thought from her experience working with victims of intimate partner violence, survivors of mental health challenges and eating disorders, and individuals navigating social welfare systems.
Sara returned to Fredericton in 2017 where she had the amazing opportunities of working with Liberty Lane Inc., and Haven for Hope Counselling Centre. These experiences among others lead Sara to pursue her ultimate goal of opening her own counselling business. Through doing this, Sara hopes that Conscious Counselling and Wellness offers a safe, nonjudgemental, and healing space to her community.
Sara has a special passion for helping individuals recognize their inherent worth , and believes that all mental health and life challenges can be navigated through the partnering of client strengths, counselling, guidance, and resources.
Sara recently completed her course to become an official Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals/Evergreen Certifications.
Approach
Client-Centered and Trauma-Informed
My approach to counselling is compassionate, trauma-informed, and biopsychosocial/wholelistic. I see each client as a unique individual with unique needs based on a variety of contributing factors to whatever situation they are in.
I use elements of several therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, MBCT, ACT and narrative approaches depending on what the client needs.
My current passion is learning more about integrating nervous system and somatic work into counselling.
Personalized Psychoeducation
I believe that the client is the expert on their own life, but that it is the counsellor’s job to bring certain insights to light, or to guide clients into healthier practices and decisions.
Overall Wellness
I use an approach that recognizes how our biology, psychology, and social wellbeing are interconnected. I believe that in order to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life, one must work toward discovering a balance of wellness in the following realms: occupational, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional.
A Note on Mindfulness, and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
I utilize mindfulness tools in order to allow clients to development the skills to observe and regulate their own thought patterns, bodily sensations, and impulses without judgment. Paired with the active practice of self-compassion, clients develop an awareness of the universality of their challenges and can work toward solutions filled with self-acceptance.
