Sarah Newell, LCSW

Hi, I’m Sarah and I believe true healing happens when you feel genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. I believe my role as a therapist is to create a space where every part of you is welcome and feels safe, even the parts of you that feel overwhelming, stuck, protective, or misunderstood. Together, we'll work to understand the patterns that developed to help you survive, appreciate the strengths they provided, and gently create space for healing and lasting change.

My Education and Experience:

I have my Bachelor’s of science in psychology from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2019 and completed my Master’s of social work at The University of Illinois at Chicago in 2021. I have completed my basic training in EMDR with Paula Merucci through EMDR Consulting. I also have completed training in IFS through the IFS Circle Program and will complete my IFS Level 1 training in January 2027, both through the IFS-Institute.     

I began my clinical career doing crisis intervention and case management for youth, teens, and young adults at a non-profit. Working with high-acuity clients and in a community mental health setting gave me extensive experience supporting clients with complex trauma, suicidal ideation, self-harm, severe anxiety, depression, and family conflict. These experiences strengthened my belief that healing is possible when clients feel emotionally safe, understood, and empowered. I then transitioned to seeing clients individually on an outpatient level and continue to see teens, young adults, and adults who have experienced complex trauma. I also have experience running group therapy including an adolescent DBT skills group, girl’s self-esteem group, and a young adult independent living skills group.  

How I Help My Clients:

My approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply trauma-informed. My goal is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself while building practical tools to navigate daily life. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship where you don't have to perform, hide parts of yourself, or worry about being judged. Therapy should be a place where you feel safe enough to show up exactly as you are. I integrate evidence-based approaches including:

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

  • Attachment-focused therapy

  • Polyvagal Theory

  • Somatic interventions

  • Mindfulness and nervous system regulation

One of the core beliefs that guides my work is that every protective behavior developed for a reason. When you have experienced traumatic/stressful events or been in relationships with people who are unpredictable, inconsistent, abusive, neglectful, or emotionally unsafe, your mind and body learn creative ways to protect you. Over time, these creative ways, or adaptations to stress, can show up as anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional numbness, overthinking, or difficulty trusting others. What you may see as personal flaws or bothersome symptoms I see as intelligent adaptations that once helped you survive. Instead of than pushing past your protective adaptations, we'll work together to understand them, build trust with them, and move at a pace that feels safe for you. 

My Specialties and Passions:

I am passionate about helping adolescents, young adults, and adults heal from the lasting effects of trauma. I specialize in working with complex PTSD, developmental and attachment trauma, anxiety, depression, dissociation, emotion regulation, and relationship challenges. I especially enjoy helping clients understand the connection between their nervous system, emotions, and protective patterns so they can move beyond simply surviving and begin living with greater confidence and regulation. 

  • Trauma: complex PTSD, single-incident PTSD, childhood trauma and emotional neglect, sexual trauma, developmental/attachment trauma, dissociation, religious trauma

  • Women’s Issues: body-image, self-esteem, disordered eating, life transitions, relationships/dating, women’s health 

  • Holistic Health: mind-body connection, gut-brain connection, integrative health, autoimmune disorders, histamine issues, sensory issues, spirituality

  • Relationship Issues: codependency, domestic abuse/violence, family conflict, setting boundaries, people-pleasing

  • Anxiety: perfectionism, OCD, social anxiety, eating disorders

More About Me:

In my free time you can find me at the gym, going for a walk or run at a forest preserve, or trying out a new recipe or restaurant. As an animal lover, I enjoy spending time with my dogs and cats as a way to calm my nervous system. My favorite way to relax is flexing my creative muscles by coloring and painting or by vegging out on the couch watching a bingeable TV show. I also have a passion for connecting with nature and traveling and love being next to a beach or mountain.