Sarah Palmer

Hello! My name is Sarah Palmer, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. I focus on developing a warm, safe environment to encourage the processing of difficult or traumatic experiences while allowing for healing in a holistic manner and assisting the client in gaining the coping skills necessary to increase their feeling of resiliency.

My approach

I am trained in several modalities that include (but are not limited to) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Making Sense of Your Worth, Positive Parenting, Level I addiction treatment, and relapse prevention. I also work with families on facilitating bonding and attachment, and I often provide parent education and support during my sessions. I focus on increasing mental health education, developing coping skills and grounding techniques, and providing psychoeducation as needed on topics relevant to my clients, including mental health diagnoses and how our overall mental health impacts our development, relationships, and physical health.

My focus

I work with individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds! I enjoy working with clients experiencing life changes and clients working to overcome current and past hurts to increase overall wellness and healing. I have extensive training and experience in trauma care, focusing on identifying and healing from both current, previous, and generational trauma and its impact on development, attachment, and relationships. I enjoy working with clients to develop their self-resiliency and to explore their self-worth and identity. I also work closely with clients and families who are dealing with grief and loss, including those who have suffered traumatic loss and are experiencing prolonged or complicated grief.

My communication style

I focus on developing a warm, safe environment to encourage therapeutic relationships through connection without judgment. I like to engage my clients through active listening, using open-ended questions to explore thought patterns and relationships, and reflecting with clients to ensure they are being seen, heard, and valued.

My journey to mental healthcare

I started my journey to becoming a therapist while raising an active family and experiencing our own instances of trauma, grief, and hardships. I have a Summa Cum Laude Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Mental Health Counseling. I started providing therapy while working at a child advocacy center. I was able to engage in play therapy and individual therapy with children and teens who were the victims of physical, sexual abuse and traumatic grief. It was through this experience I started to focus my training on trauma and healing those affected by traumatic life experiences. I have spent the past five years as a Clinical Supervisor working with children, teens, families, and individuals who were experiencing instability, loss, grief, trauma, and difficulty during times of transition.

My goals for you

I like to work in collaboration with the client in developing their own personal therapeutic goals and creating a treatment plan that aligns with their specific needs, beliefs, and values.

My first session with you

My first sessions are centered on ensuring the client has been provided with a clear understanding of what therapy is and what the therapeutic relationship looks like. I like to review informed consent and limits of confidentiality to ensure the client is knowledgeable and empowered to make the most informed decisions for themselves. The first sessions will also be a review of background information, current symptoms, reasons for seeking out therapy and allowing the client time to ask relevant questions about me and my expertise. The first session should be the beginning of the therapeutic relationship and the initial exploration of goals for the client.