About

I am a 4th generation Alaskan and couldn’t be happier to call south central home. I am the therapist with a confusing name. I was born a Sarah and through years of typos and nicknames I go by Saraj (Sa-RAJ). It is your preference as to what you call me, I will answer to both.

 

I identify as a lifelong learner, a believer in personal growth, healing, and have had a long-time interest in human relationships. I spent my undergraduate years in Bellingham, WA at Western Washington University where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and psychology. I was lucky enough to study abroad in both Norway and Chile. In 2017, I graduated from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado with a Master’s Degree in Wilderness Therapy and Counseling. It was at Naropa that I was able to fuse my passion for the outdoors, self-inquiry, mindfulness, and personal growth together. Since graduation I have spent the past 7 years working in community mental health agencies in Anchorage.

 

I am a trauma informed trained therapist.  I have focused on specializing in the treatment and recovery of trauma related disorders, crisis, relationship problems, grief, victims and perpetrators of violence, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and self-care issues. I have obtained certification in three different evidence-based models for the treatment of trauma related disorders. These include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and The ARC Framework (Attachment, Regulation and Competency).

 

My philosophy of therapy is that at any time or multiple times throughout life we may develop unhelpful or maladaptive thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors.

 

As a clinician I believe that healing is absolutely possible, but it is almost impossible to do so alone.  Life is full of complications, adversity, and challenges that can be difficult to navigate alone and at times require support from trained professionals  The therapeutic relationship is an opportunity to explore attunement that supports healing, recovery, and one’s ability to thrive.

 

In my practice I seek to support and empower my clients to obtain insight, tools, and the needed skills while in therapy to work towards resolving the negative mental health problems. I integrate psycho education, reflection, mindfulness, CBT skills, humor, and other therapeutic techniques within sessions to support clients having the best understanding of themselves, the function of our emotions, and means of navigating negative mental health symptoms.

 

I identify as an ally to the LGBTQAI2S+ community, I value all clients and I work to understand issues from the perspective of culture, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and spiritual or religious beliefs.

 

Experiencing negative mental health symptoms is normal. Healing is as unique as each one of us. I look forward to working with you.