Welcome to Sarah Carr Consulting: Grounded and Growing!

A space where...

  • personal growth meets relational development
  • understanding meets action 
  • the grounded power of therapy meets the growth-oriented dynamics of coaching 

I offer relational consulting and coaching and support individuals and couples on their journey to healthier, more fulfilling connections and lives.

ABOUT
Growing: Some of us want to reach for the stars, blaze our shining star across the heavens, strive to be successful or at least be the best we can be.

Grounded: Some of us care more about being the behind-the-scenes stable, balanced, reasonable, practical, safe, and therefore, taken-seriously person.

Most of us need some of both… right?? We all contain and express these qualities in some kind of dynamic balance. For some of us it takes a lot of burning ourselves up and out before we acknowledge the need for ground. For others we stay locked in our heads or bury our feelings underground for a long time before we acknowledge we need a spark, a change, something more dynamic that may involve risk.

For me personally... I have always been someone with strong desires and emotions. I have relied on the very ground of my being – the strength, grace and movement of my physical body – to be the conduit for that electrical life force energy, connecting me to the earth. As a child that meant running through cornfields with my dog pulling me along. As an adult it has meant an ever-evolving world of dance, inward and outward, and a deepening of the conversation with the natural world.

For a long time “growth” was random, lucky, accidental, untamed, unpredictable and definitely unreliable.
ABOUT Continued
Eventually came the “grounding” myself in theory, knowledge, mentoring and practice… Especially the latter – practice in relationships – making mistakes, causing ruptures, making repairs, finding compassion and forgiveness, risking again and again with others and myself. Growing brilliance, insight and skill, growing love, connection and understanding – from the ground of my very human messiness, by being vulnerable, by listening and being curious, getting out of my own way.

I love working with clients who really want to grow on their edge, expand their capacity, and shift the systems they're part of, I also truly believe that happens by carrying rooted center in our grounded selves as we risk engaging our differences.

The long arc of grounded growth can sometimes be hard, as is the ground we sometimes land on when we fall. Yet there is grace, and I can promise you that it will always be worth it.

I invite you to the healing space of your own body and mind where you can come to know the ground of intimacy, home, energy, and joy, as well as a conduit to your soul self. I look forward to helping you hold, acknowledge, express and share what you find there as you reach and grow. Every journey begins with the first step. Let’s begin.
Professional Credentials

MA: Counseling Psychology, Lesley University
BA: Economics, Holy Cross College
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MA)

Coursework toward Somatic Experiencing and EMDR certification as well as toward a B.S.: Environmental Science

I have practiced as a therapist since 1993. Having worked in many capacities from community clinician to clinical director, in residential, outpatient and retreat settings, with adults and teens, couples and individuals, I am excited to offer my own unique blend of tools and experiences.

For the last 8 years, I have trained in couples therapy and relational coaching using the Bader-Pearson Developmental Model (DM) and Attachment work. I fell in love with DM when I discovered it, intuitively grocking this powerful map for how relationships "grow" us, and the interplay with how individual growth strengthens our relationships. My clients express appreciation for the way I am able to offer compassion but also be direct in ways that make real change possible.

In addition, I train and consult with couples therapists learning DM. It has been an honor and privilege to mentor others in learning that work.



Services

Individual Psychotherapy

Whether you're healing a trauma, sorting through grief, confusion and loneliness, dealing with relational issues, exploring sex and sexuality, or learning to lessen anxiety or chronic pain, I'm here to help.

Couples Therapy and Coaching

I help those in couples of all kinds engage in a more differentiated manner that allows each person to bravely reveal and share themselves, support their partner in safely doing the same, tolerate the tension of their differences, and experience the sustained intimacy that brings.

Training and Consultation

I help convey complex relational, emotional and mental ideas and models in easy to understand ways, while offering expert guidance tailored to help you implement what you've learned and hone your skills.

FAQ: Fees & Insurance

1) Do you take insurance?

No I don't accept insurance. In my private practice, I seek to offer high-quality, individualized attention to each client and couple and I am firmly committed to your privacy and confidentiality. I can't meet those goals and be in-network with insurance companies.
You may still be able to work with me if your insurance company has out-of-network (OON) benefits.

2) But I searched and searched and I really want to work with you! Why don't you take insurance??

Lol.... we could be here all night...
Over the years of accepting insurance, I felt a growing ethical quandary about having to justify the "medical necessity" of my clients' care, assign them pathologizing diagnoses, and share their confidential information in order to be reimbursed for my work. I realized I was growing to really dread work and felt like I was supporting the insurance companies more than my clients.
But the biggest reason I stopped taking insurance is because I realized that I was forcing myself to work inside of a clinical box that subtly but undeniably kept me from doing my best work and employing the full breadth of my creativity and toolbox for my clients.
It's been a difficult decision but ultimately a necessary one.

3) But I still want to work with YOU! Is there another way?

There very well may be! I am a licensed OON mental health provider. It means I won't bill insurance companies directly but I can give you a medical receipt (aka a superbill), at the end of each month to submit to your insurance company for them to reimburse you. If you don't know if your insurance plan has OON benefits, you'll need to call and ask.
You pay me directly at the time of each session. There are no guarantees that you'll receive reimbursement. But it may be worth your while to try.

4) Rates/Fee Schedule & Discounts

For individuals, a 50-minute session is $150.
For couples, a 90-minute session is $270.

I maintain a limited number of discount slots for people who cannot afford to pay my normal rates, but are eager to find a way to invest in working with me. Please ask us about this option if you think it might be important for you.

Other F.A.Q

What is your cancellation policy?
I request 24-hours notice of cancellation for individuals and 48-hours notice for cancellation of couples as it takes longer to move around more people's schedules. Whenever possible, I will offer possible times to reschedule within the same week.
For couples, if one of you is sick or you don't have childcare, I am happy to meet with just one of you to keep the momentum of our work together.
While I understand that most folks have valid reasons for cancelling, in order to maintain my own solvency and energy for our work, I do charge $100 for a cancelled individual and $200 for a cancelled couple.
What types of payment do you accept?
I ask all clients to share a confidential credit card on file with me and permission to charge it for late cancellations. I also charge your card for any online sessions. While I require a MC, Visa, Discover Card or AmEx for late cancellations, I am happy to accept your debit, HSA (Health Savings Account) card or FSA (Flexible Savings Account) card for regular sessions.
If you are meeting with me in-person, I accept cash or check.
Payment is expected at the time of service as carrying account balances can muddy the quality of clinical work.
For how long do clients work with you?
I have narrowed my scope of practice to meet with folks who are either in acute clinical need or are looking to do a "chunk" or "piece" of work together. While this can take anywhere from a few weeks to years, the work I do is designed to empower you with the tools, skills and capacities you need to live your life without my help. While I initially suggest that 8-10 sessions gives me the best opportunity to get to know you and determine how I can best be helpful to you, you are welcome to work with me for shorter time periods as well.

Contact

Every Minute Matters

  • 1 Roundhouse Plaza, Suite 203, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States

Please reach out! Free 10-15 minute consult.

Authentic Movement Group for Healers

This group is open until further notice.

This will be an ongoing group meeting every other Monday from 9-11am, facilitated by Sarah Carr, where we will engage our active imaginations, conscious presence and physical bodies in Authentic Movement and other occasional movement and somatic practices. This group is intended to support therapists and others in the healing professions to have a time to renew, restore and nourish themselves and thos of us wanting to create a deeper, more intimate relationship with our souls and the bodies that house them.Read More

  • Date: 11/18/2024 09:00 AM
  • Location: Hidden Temple, Brushworks Arts and Industry Building, 221 Pine St. Suite 320, Florence, MA 01062 (Map)
Read More