Personal Summary

Sarah has worked in the social service field since 2008, primarily working with individuals, families, and communities across Montana. Sarah’s role in advocacy for underserved populations comes from both a personal and political value system based in human rights. Sarah received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Montana. Her undergraduate degree in psychology and gender studies allowed her to gain a foundational understanding of human behavior along with critically examining how inequity impacts mental health. Throughout Sarah’s career she has worked a long side children and families in the foster care system impacted by systemic racism and classism. Sarah’s interest in how capitalism seemed to affect human attachment and development led her to pursue a master’s in social work. During her practicum experiences she worked on gaining clinical skills and knowledge with individuals, families, and groups and worked on macro level anti-racist and anti-oppression work with groups and communities. After graduate school she was the lead clinician for a therapeutic group home and then opened a private practice specializing in trauma treatment and attachment. This last year she has joined the University of Montana as an Assistant Field Director. 

Education

B.A. University of Montana- Psychology Minor: Women and Gender Studies 2010

MSW University of Montana 2015 

Courses Taught

SW 200

Graduate Level Seminar Courses 

Teaching Experience

Guest lecturing, supervising students, seminar facilitation Fall 2020 

Field of Study

Clinical focus in psychology and attachment theory. Clinical and Social Justice focus in MSW program

Specialized Skills

I am trained in EMDR and TFCBT for the treatment of PTSD, symptoms of anxiety and depression. I also use Circle of Security and Postive Parent Management in working with parents, specifically parenting adolescents. In the upcoming months I will be focusing on Internal Family Systems and Emotionally Focused Treatment as treatment options. 

Professional Experience

Worked with youth and families who were impacted by poverty, systemic racism, intergenerational trauma and gender based violence for over 10 years. I recently opened a small private practice with a focus of prevention of child abuse and gender based violence through the lens of attachment and feminist theory.