MEET SARAH DAVIDSON, LCSW, PMH-C
You have endured enough.
I am a licensed grief and trauma therapist offering virtual sessions to clients in Alaska and California. I hold specialized certifications in traumatic grief and perinatal mental health.
Meeting with a therapist who specializes in what you are going through saves so much time and energy. Being able to show up as you are with someone who understands the realities of grief and trauma can have a big impact on your therapy process. Even more importantly is finding someone who is a good fit for you.
You may be looking for connection, relatability, and someone who can understand the deep hole that feels all encompassing inside of you right now. It’s hard when it feels like everything and everyone is moving on, and you are left wondering what the point of it all is anymore.
If grief is what has brought you here…
I can imagine how scary it can be to reach out for support or to trust someone with all that you are holding inside. You sense that there is a way through it, but you are not sure what that looks like or even how to start.
If a traumatic experience is what has brought you here…
You are in the right place. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
MY APPROACH
My first and foremost focus during this time is to simply be with you.
Alongside my own personal experiences with grief and trauma, I have years of experience working with and supporting individuals who are grieving unimaginable losses and overcoming life changing traumatic events. I dedicate myself to the people and the work I do because I understand the importance of real and genuine support during some of the most difficult times in our lives.
I am not afraid to dive into the depths with you. I meet you where you are and provide a safe and stable presence during this process. I am gentle in my approach, but I will not shy from the realities you are facing. I am ready to help you get to a place where you are able to walk into whatever the future holds while carrying the things you’ve experienced without those things pulling you underwater.
Therapy with me is…
01 COMPASSIONATE
At the center of my therapeutic approach is a compassionate presence. You can always expect a space that is welcoming, non-judgmental, and capable of holding the messy and painful parts of life. You will always be met with deep empathy in a safe and supportive space.
02 AUTHENTIC
Therapy with me is not scripted or surface level. I am fully present in our sessions because I resepect your time and vulnerability, and I am committed to the therapeutic process with you.
03 COLLABORATIVE
I am here to come alongside you in this process. We intentionally check-in regularly to ensure you feel seen and heard and that your time in therapy is a worthwhile investment. You will always have the say in the direction you want to go and at the pace that feels right for you.
04 EMPOWERING
While I am here to support you through your therapeutic journey, I also guide you in reconnecting with your own internal strength that is accessible way beyond our time together in therapy. My hope is for you to feel encouraged and empowered in your ability to access that strength indefinitely.
Therapeutic Approaches
NARRATIVE EXPOSURE THERAPY (NET)
I have received direct training from the founders of NET through the NET Institute and use this approach to help clients address fragmented and overwhelming memories following traumatic experiences. After completing the NET process, traumatic memories are no longer a present threat, but rather a manageable memory of the past.
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)
I am an IFS informed therapist. I have completed a 5-month intensive with Dr. Frank Anderson and receive continuous training from the IFS institute. IFS is a non-pathological approach to addressing the different “parts” of us and how they impact the way we see ourselves and interact with the world.
SOMATIC AWARENESS
We will intentionally spend time bringing awareness to your body’s physical’s sensations, pain, tightness, shallow breathing etc. I use somatic approaches to bring awareness to the mind-body connection. While talk therapy alone focuses on the top-down approach, somatic approaches are a bottom-up perspective, providing a deeper understanding of how trauma has impacted your body’s sense of safety and reality. This is an effective and impactful approach to trauma recovery.
INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY (IPT)
Sometimes, life hits us with changes that feel impossible to navigate. Whether you are grieving a loss, struggling with a new role in life, or feeling stuck in a cycle of conflict with those you love, Interpersonal Psychotherapy offers a here-and-now roadmap to improve connection and decrease stress. I use IPT to help you find your footing during life’s most difficult transitions, identify healthy boundaries, and communicate your needs in your relationships.
My Background
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Alaska - License #187478
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California - License #LCSW137303
Masters of Social Work - Boston University
Bachelors of Social Work - University of Alaska Fairbanks
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Certified Compassionate Bereavement Provider - MISS Foundation
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider - Postpartum Support International
Certified Grief Educator - David Kessler
Certified Grief Recovery Specialist - Grief Recovery Institute
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National Association of Social Workers
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I follow the Social Work values and Code of Ethics pretty strictly. Being educated in Social Work and becoming licensed was and is more than a degree and a career choice for me, it’s a perspective I’ve adopted when it comes to showing up for my clients, people in general and my community. Learn more about the Social Work Code of Ethics here.
