MEET SARAH

As an ICEEFT- Certified Emotionally Focused Supervisor and Therapist and AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, I work through the lens of attachment theory and with a focus on becoming oriented to our emotions to understand our behavior and how we communicate with those we care about.  I am passionate about the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) method– a humanistic model supported by research– and have witnessed the model effectively strengthen emotional bonds between partners to create more secure attachments.

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Asian Studies from the University of Virginia.  I received my Masters in Social Work, with a concentration in Child Welfare, from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2022 I completed the Sexual Health Certificate Program at the University of Michigan.

My Masters-level research focused on ethnic identity development in transracial adoptees.  This interest stemmed from my personal journey as a biracial person, navigating my ethnic identity while straddling two cultures and with a blend of skin color. I identify as Vietnamese biracial while also having white passing privilege. Others have identified me as: white girl, Latina, Filipina, Italian, Hawaiian, Afghani, “you’re so tan,” and more times than I would like, “so what are you?” It’s been an ongoing journey navigating the incongruence of how I see myself and how others view me.

I have worked in child welfare agencies, a community mental health agency, provided home-based counseling services, facilitated psychoeducational substance abuse groups, and provided counseling support to families in the Early Intervention Program. Since 2011, I have been providing psychotherapy to adolescents, individuals, and couples.

I had formative experiences living and working in Japan and Vietnam. I am proud to serve on the Executive Board of the non-profit Conexa Inc. and with them, traveled to Uganda and Kenya with the mission to reduce relational violence and support the development of EFT within the East African context. I enjoy travel, ethnic cuisines, yoga, gardening, and have a deep love for dogs.

I am committed to anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ inclusive work, both professionally and personally. As a former Co-Director of the Washington Baltimore Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (WBCEFT)- a center committed to training and supporting therapists learning EFT- I worked to increase accessibility and diversity through development of our Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship.