Sara Pickens

Bio

Finding healing for yourself is the first step of self-love and is a sign of strength, not weakness. Thriving to be the best version of yourself will be the core foundation of your outlook on life and the relationships you build with others. It is important to me that you feel comfortable sharing your life story, perspective, and goals, at the pace you set, with appropriate encouragement and therapeutic challenges when necessary. I create a “safe space” for my clients to open up by listening compassionately without judgment. My goal is to help my clients process their presenting problems and guide them to cope and manage their struggles in healthier ways in order to live a more fulfilled and productive life. There is nothing as empowering as facing your struggles and overcoming the things that once defeated you.

My goal is to empower my clients, counseling them with a strength-based approach, psychodynamic perspective, exposure therapy, Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and utilizing Cognitive-behavioral techniques such as; mindfulness, and grounding.

I am a Licensed Social Worker and received my Masters in Social Work from Governors State University. I have experience providing crisis intervention and stabilization to adults in the residential level of care and private practice. I have a passion for clients who are dealing with co-occurring disorders and understand how difficult it is to overcome multiple different struggles at once. I have worked with clients from a wide range of socio-economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, and identities. I specialize in working with clients with anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, PTSD, LGBTQ+, life transitions, trauma, and grief.

In-network insurances

Blue Cross Blue Shield • Self pay • Aetna

Specialties

Addiction/Substance Abuse • Adjustment Disorder • Alcoholism • Anger Management • Anorexia Nervosa • Anxiety • Binge Eating Disorder • Bipolar Disorder • Bulimia • Daytime Sleepiness • Depression • Divorce • Eating Disorder • Grief and Loss/Bereavement • LGBTQIA+ • Life Coaching • Life Transition • Major Depressive Disorder • Mindfulness • Mood Disorders • Occupational Difficulties • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Trauma • Relationship Issues • Sadness • Self Esteem • Social Anxiety • Stress/Worry • Suicidal Thoughts

Education and training

• Governors State University, MSW

Languages spoken

• English