MA, LCMHCA
Certified Expressive Arts Therapist
My name is Sarah Elise Rogers, and as a counselor I focus on providing a safe space where clients can feel heard and valued. My educational background includes receiving my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University where I was taught by professors who are experts in working with trauma, depression, anxiety and relationship concerns. Your story is important and your feelings are valid. Our society can cause our sense of self to become muddled and the story of our lives can cause us to live out of lies we believe about ourselves rather than the truth.
How I Help
If you have ever thought, “What is wrong with me?”, “Why am I reacting this way?” or stated to yourself, “I don’t think I know who I am.” You are not alone and I can guide you through these questions using a story and values lens that is clinical and practical for day-to-day application. As humans we cannot get too far away from our thoughts, feelings and behaviors, as each one influences the other. Through building a deeper understanding of yourself and your story, you can create a deeper appreciation of yourself. The first step is knowing there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you. Being human is hard and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach, you are a unique individual who needs unique and individual care. Through my collaborative and integrative approach we will work together to figure out the best treatment plan for you.
My Specialties
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
I work with clients through an (IFS) lens to address the parts of ourselves that we have avoided or pushed away. If you have ever had an argument with yourself, you have experienced ‘different parts of yourself’. Dr. Dick Schwartz (founder of IFS) discovered that actually working with these parts can increase internal harmony and improve congruency between our internal world and external world.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
EMDR is a theory used specifically to address negative belief systems that have manifested from isolated traumatic events, cumulative events or perpetual negative thought patterns that feel ingrained in you. While this theory was founded by, Dr. Francine Shapiro, as a way to address PTSD, has been found to be helpful in moving ‘stuck’ memories, feelings or thoughts into our long term memory. If you have ever had a situation where you ‘knew’ were safe in your brain but your body was telling you to run away, hide or to shrink yourself, then you've experienced this ‘stuck’ memory concept. EMDR works with the brain's natural adaptive processing system and provides the right conditions for your brain to work through difficult beliefs or memories so that you do not have to live a reactionary life but a present one.
Expressive Art Therapy
I received my Expressive Arts certification at Appalachian State University under the advisement of Dr. Katherine Biddle. This is an ideal modality for clients who find words challenging or who are interested in a creative approach to healing and storywork. If you want to get out of your head and into your heart and body, expressive arts is a great way to bypass overthinking and build an understanding of what is at the root of your concerns.
Play Therapy
“Play is the language of children and toys are their words.” This quote by Dr. Garry Landreth exhibits the importance of using play over talk therapy with children. Play is how kids figure themselves out, build an understanding of the world around them and reconcile internal struggles they are experiencing. Play therapy is a safe space where a child can explore their internal world with a therapist's narration and validation. Using self-esteem and confidence building language while the child plays can address internal concerns and build confidence from the inside out. Children are little humans with big feelings and they do not experience these in the same way adults do. Play therapy is great for children aged 2–10 years old who are experiencing depression, anxiety, behavioral concerns, and more. I approach play therapy from a family systems model meaning that I require a parent session once a month to discuss your child's progress and teach tools you can use at home to continue their growth. I am working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist by pursuing additional coursework at UNC Charlotte and participating in supervision under Dr. Christa Phipps PhD, RPTS, LCMHC.
More About Me
Outside the counseling space, you can find me spending time with friends, going on walks, attending fitness classes, reading, and doing anything outside! I am also an amateur painter, knitter, cook, pickleballer, and traveler! When I can go abroad, I explore the streets of Vienna, Edinburgh, London, Bergen, and Dublin. When finances cause me to remain a ‘traveler’ in North Carolina, I enjoy exploring new coffee shops, parks, towns, restaurants, and hikes!