Dr. Sarah Thiessen, PhD, LCPC

Practicing Since: 1995

Sarah works with adults, children, and adolescents addressing issues such as trauma/abuse, PTSD, divorce, family conflict, parenting, anxiety, grief/loss, depression and relationship challenges. Sarah specifically uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and techniques from DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) in her work. She believes in a client-centered approach within a trusting, warm therapeutic relationship to address issues affecting the people she sees. Sarah is skilled in addressing forms of childhood trauma including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and neglect. 

Sarah has specialized training in directive and non-directive play therapy techniques for children, as well as sand tray therapy and mindfulness techniques for clients of all ages. She believes in the power of therapeutic play in the healing of the children she sees. Sarah emphasizes the importance of encouraging and teaching parents how best to help their children and teens. She has a passion for helping single parents and blended families thrive. She uses the identification of family patterns to help each member thrive in their relationships.

Sarah is certified in EMDR, the leading researched supported therapy for trauma and PTSD. EMDR enables people to heal from symptoms and emotional pain, and is also used to address multiple mental health issues. Using techniques that align with neuroscience, this therapy uses the adaptive processes of the body’s innate ability to heal, often producing relief from many symptoms quickly. For children, Sarah integrates play techniques with EMDR due to the knowledge that children learn through action and imagination. The effectiveness of EMDR results in clients who feel empowered rather than paralyzed by life experiences that in the past caused them great pain. EMDR leads to healthy thoughts and behaviors stemming from emotional health. Best of all, EMDR does not require extensive homework or hours of talking about the pain to find relief. 

Sarah is passionate about helping others and considers it a privilege to witness the growth and healing that occurs in therapy. She has a Ph.D. in counseling and is currently licensed in MD as a clinical professional counselor. 

Dr. Thiessen is licensed in the state of Maryland #LC9546.