Sarah Brant-Rajahn (she/her)

I have worked with diverse children, teens, and their families for the majority of my career within many therapeutic settings (inpatient, day programs, schools, outpatient, and substance abuse). Through my work, I have vast experience helping with academic stress, attachment, family conflict, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, self-esteem struggles, and anger.

I have worked with teens and adults experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and isolation, and also those who have a behavioral response of irritability and anger in connection with their depression. I help you address the emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms of depression, as well as the various factors that contribute to it, such as trauma, difficult transitions, and chronic stress.

I have worked with teens and adults who are impacted by overwhelming feelings of fear, worry, and tension that interfere with daily life. I have also worked with couples where this manifests as overthinking, fear of abandonment, irritability, and emotional withdrawal. I help identify triggers, challenge unhealthy thought patterns, improve emotional regulation and communication skills, and, for couples, help develop mutual support.

A family systems approach views the family as an interconnected system, where each member's thought patterns, behavior patterns, and emotional response patterns influence other members of the family. I have extensive experience helping families identify family dynamics, communication patterns, and intergenerational influences and trauma that contribute to current difficulties in the family. I help families learn skills to shift patterns, improve communication, and resolve conflict.

I have advanced training and pracitce in narrative therapy, which believes 'you are not a problem; the problem is the problem'. I collaborate with you to explore dominant stories from life experiences that may be limiting or negative, and help to uncover alternative, empowering narratives that better reflect your strengths and resilience. I work with you to gain a stronger sense of agency to rewrite your story in a way that promotes healing and growth.

I have advanced training and practice in CBT, including trauma-focused CBT and mindfulness CBT. CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I help you identify core beliefs about self and others, and unhealthy thought patterns that lead to emotional distress and unhelpful behaviors. I help you challenge those thought patterns and develop new thought and behavioral patterns, while also teaching you relaxation strategies, problem-solving, and healthy coping skills.