Sara Nagengast

Hi, I'm glad you're here! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and struggles with self-esteem. I especially enjoy working with people who are curious about themselves and want to better understand the patterns, experiences, and relationships that have shaped who they are. I believe that understanding ourselves is often the first step toward making meaningful changes, and I love helping people make those connections.

My approach to therapy is warm, relaxed, and conversational. I believe some of the most meaningful moments happen when we get curious about ourselves and start connecting the dots between our thoughts, feelings, experiences, and behaviors. You don't have to come in knowing exactly what to say or where to start. Bring the overthinking, messy feelings, random thoughts, and stories that somehow turn into three other stories. I'll follow you! I'm supportive and compassionate, but I'll also gently challenge you, offer different perspectives, and help you recognize patterns you may not have noticed before. I draw from approaches including CBT, mindfulness, and insight-oriented work, tailoring our time together to what feels most helpful for you.

Our first session is really about getting to know each other and beginning to understand what brings you to therapy. We'll talk about what's been going on in your life, what you'd like to feel differently, and what you're hoping to get out of our time together. There's no pressure to have everything figured out or know exactly where to start. I'll ask questions, listen, and help guide the conversation while we begin identifying some areas you'd like to work on. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, comfortable, and hopeful that we're moving in a direction that makes sense for you.