Therapist Dr. Sarah Avery-Leaf Photo

Dr. Sarah Avery-Leaf, Psychologist

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Parenting issues Anger management
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

I am a clinical psychologist with over 30 years’ experience, as a mental health line worker and then as a licensed clinician. I have lived in several different parts of the country (MA, CO, NY, ME and NH) and am now located in Olympia, WA. I am an empty nester and a big time dog person!

My specialization is around conflict in relationships and couples’ communication, and while I am comfortable focusing on a range of different issues in my work, one strength is my ability to help clients make meaningful changes in their personal and professional relationships, whether I am working with them individually or as a couple. My training is in cognitive-behavioral therapy, and I use a change-oriented, here-and-now model of treatment, which is often a helpful way to be efficient and expedient in breaking old patterns and learning to interact with others and the world more effectively. Working with me, there is less of a focus on processing, and more on strategies for change. So often we feel defeated and discouraged at the same old frustrations. I offer hope that, with the right amount of effort and energy, change is in fact possible. It is never easy to start therapy, but I hope it helps to know that I have been at this a long time, and have confidence that the process really works!

I look forward to meeting you, getting to know you, and working with you, and helping you turn that all-important corner in your life. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon!

Professional experience

30yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Parenting issues Anger management

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Family Problems, Isolation / Loneliness, Mood Disorders, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

WA Psychologist 60710446