Meet Sara
Qualifications and Licensure
I have always been passionate about helping others. Over the past 18 years, I have been fortunate to work in the social work field in a variety of settings (schools, government, non-profit and community agencies) helping people work through obstacles that block their access to happiness, fulfillment and success.
Since 2012, I have been providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults and families struggling with depression, stress, anxiety, trauma, chronic conditions, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, self-esteem, body image, grief and loss, and other life stressors. I specialize in the areas of trauma, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety.
In partnership with Yvonne Berenguer, MSW, CPC and Maria Velazquez, RYT of Wellness Options LLC, I also co-authored and co-facilitate the 'Tools for Well-being' evidenced based curriculum workshops, which is currently being piloted in Merced County and studied through CSU Stanislaus State, Social Work department. The 'Tools' curriculum is a series of workshops providing groups and organizations with evidenced based strategies and effective tools on how to decrease stress, improve well-being and resiliency. For more information about Wellness Options LLC, click here to visit our website: Wellness Options LLC
Licensing and Education
-
Doctorate of Social Work (Currently Doctorate of Social Work student)
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
-
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #73615
California
-
Master's in Social Work
California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
-
Bachelor's degree
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Advanced Training and Interests
-
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
-
Mindfulness Certification under the mentorship of
Kate Janke-Munding: Heart-Mind Education
For more information click here: Heart-Mind Education
-
Certified Mindfulness Affiliate Teacher through
Heart-Mind Education
-
Gottman Institute
-
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
-
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
-
Art Therapy
-
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
-
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
-
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
-
Play Therapy
-
Positive Psychology
-
Structural Family Therapy
-
Trauma-Informed Services
Associations and Memberships
-
NASW (National Association for Social Workers)
-
CAMFT (California Association for Marriage Family Therapists)
-
'Dream Team' Member: Spreadkindness.org
-
Business partner for Wellness Options LLC
Publications and Achievements
-
Co-author & Co-facilitator for evidenced-based curriculum:
'Tools for Well-being'. The 'Tools' curriculum is currently
being utilized in Merced County.
-
Co-created and Co-facilitated a workshop with Karen Mitchell LCSW, called 'New Views on Child Development and Healing: The Psyche, Mind, Body Connection' conducted at Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. May 9, 2014
-
Cadalig, S. (2012). Reflections of Spirit: Social Workers' Perceptions and Experiences of Meditation and Spirituality (masters thesis). Retrieved from California State University, Stanislaus, 2011