Sarah Brooks

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 I believe that therapy works best when clients feel safe and understood. My first goal as your therapist is to establish a foundation of trust and respect, as this is the basis for psychotherapy and, more specifically, for trauma work.

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From this foundation, we will explore what is troubling you at a pace that feels comfortable to you. Sometimes this entails processing and making sense of past experiences. Other times, it involves focusing on present-day problems that require a more concrete, solution-focused approach. So often, therapy is an integration of both of these processes, where we explore how the past influences the present and develop effective ways for you to cope and heal emotionally.

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My approach is highly focused on the therapeutic relationship and building trust and safety with my clients. My work is deeply rooted in psychodynamic and attachment theories, which place importance on both the therapeutic relationship and the client's relationships with others and the world around them. I also frequently integrate elements of dialectical behavior therapy as well as cognitive processing therapy in treatment. For trauma-specific treatment, I am able to offer my clients Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) if we decide that best fits your needs. 

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My work in the mental health field began over 10 years ago; I have since enjoyed working with clients in a variety of community and private practice spaces, most often focusing on trauma care. I received my Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the George Washington University in 2011. I have also received additional training in EMDR and have completed the full EMDR Basic Training approved by EMDRIA .