Sarah Bannister, LPC

Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 22 years of experience working within the mental health field. Though she has served clients in a variety of settings, the last 8 years have been dedicated to offering counseling support to individuals, groups and families in the private practice setting. When not working, Sarah can most often be found outside; hiking in Alaska’s stunning mountains, training for her next long distance run, adventuring with her daughters, or enjoying the quiet of an outdoor space with a cup of coffee and a good book.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

In 2003, Sarah attended Cedarville University of Ohio, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She went on to complete her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she graduated in 2011. Sarah’s practicum and internship experiences included serving marginalized populations, as well as kids and families. In accordance with AK state law, Sarah is a Licensed Professional Counselor.

EXPEREINCE

Sarah’s work in the mental health field began in 2000, where she found herself drawn to the work of caring well for others. Employed in various community based mental health organizations, she valued her work as an advocate, supporter and case manager, but was motivated to further her education in an effort to offer more comprehensive care to the clients she was serving. After having secured both a Bachelor’s and Master’s, Sarah went on to serve a number of different populations including children and families, individuals experiencing homelessness, people suffering from addiction, and folks dealing with chronic mental illness. Working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, Sarah is experienced in offering individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy services. Over the last 8 years, she has been working exclusively in the private sector, serving individuals of all ages dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, identity, and other mental health and mood disorders.

COUNSELING PERSPECTIVE

Sarah engages clients from a strengths based perspective, working to help you tap into your resources and inner resilience, and advocating for you as you work collaboratively to achieve your goals. You can expect a wholistic approach, inclusive of mind, body and spirit, which focuses on moving clients towards a sense of balance and integration. Clinical interventions in your work with Sarah will be tailored to best meet your needs, and may include talk therapy, DBT skills, ACT methods, and mindfulness tools. Additionally, Sarah utilizes Internal Family Systems perspectives in her work with clients, a powerfully transformative model that values integration of all aspects of the self and wholeness. Sarah believes that no one should have to navigate the storms of life alone, and she would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey to health and wellness.