Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

Sara Richmond

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  • Curiosity leads my work. With my clients, I seek to co-create a space to explore their joys and struggles. I come from a person-centered, strength-based and existential framework.  I practice queer, kink, and poly affirming counseling. I work from the perspective that clients are the experts in their own lives and our time together as an invitation to harness and learn from that expertise. I hope to facilitate self-awareness and an understanding of interactions with others and society at large. Authenticity, humor, and creative experimentation are central to my approach.

  • My clinical interests include sexuality and gender identity development, self-worth expansion, mending relationships with others and with ourselves, understanding anxiety, depression, and personal values. 

  • Adults, Couples and Families. 

    • Licensed Professional Counseling (IL): 178.022772

    • Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (IL): 208.001373 

    • Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (CA): 154331

    • Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (CA): 19106

    • Supervised by Laura Tejada (Illinois / 166.000927)

  • Palo Alto University

    • Masters of Arts

    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage Family and Child Counseling Concentration

    CIIS Public Programs

    • Sex Therapy Certification

I have a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palo Alto University with a concentration in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. In my clinical work, I have specialized in providing affirming care to kink, queer, poly, and ENM communities. I have developed strong foundations in humanistic, existential, strength based, client-centered therapy.  My clinical experience has equipped me with the skills to address a variety of mental health concerns with sensitivity and competence.  I have received additional training in trauma and crisis, psychodrama therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, ACT, IFS, CBT and Gottman Training as I deepen my clinical voice.  

My professional journey has been guided by a deep curiosity about human connection and collaboration. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in theater, culinary arts, and education all of which are collaborations; they exist only when people build something together. These experiences have sharpened my sensitivity to how people relate, heal, and grow.  I have developed a strong foundation in presence, empathy, and authentic connection, which continues to inform my relational work with clients.  

Book Sara
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A brown dog is lying on a green sofa with a patterned blanket, sleeping next to a gray tabby cat that is curled up and also sleeping.

More About Sara

Outside of counseling, I enjoy getting calloused hands from bouldering, trying new things at open mics, and leaving a mess on the kitchen table from crafting all night. I host a monthly bakery for my friends and neighbors on my front stoop. I live with my partner, the biggest baby red pitbull named Jetty and the smallest fat cat named Loopy.