“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”
-Henry David Thoreau
Hi! I’m Sarah, the face behind Orenda Mental Health.
I believe true healing begins when we feel deeply seen, genuinely heard, and meaningfully connected to others.
As a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor in Los Angeles, I bring a blend of clinical training and holistic wisdom to the work we do together. With a B.A. in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, I’m grounded in evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and family systems. I also draw from my background as a certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Usui Holy Fire Reiki Master to support healing on a deeper, more integrative level.
In our work together, that means we might explore early relational patterns, tune into the present moment with curiosity and compassion, and consider the broader systems—family, culture, environment—that shape your personal experience. Whether you're navigating anxiety, grief, childhood trauma, life transitions, burn out, or just feeling stuck, I tailor each session to meet you where you are. My approach is intuitive, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that mind, body, and spirit all deserve a seat at the table.
An Integrative Approach
Psychodynamic Therapy – Exploring how your past experiences and early relationships shape your current patterns, emotions, and self-perception.
Mindfulness-Based Practices – Helping you slow down, notice what’s happening in the present moment, and build a more compassionate relationship with your thoughts and feelings.
Somatic Work – Tuning into the body’s wisdom, noticing where emotions live in the body, and using gentle techniques to regulate the nervous system and reconnect with yourself.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – We all carry different parts of ourselves—some that protect, some that carry pain, and some that just want to be seen. IFS helps you gently connect with these inner parts, understand their roles, and heal the burdens they carry. Instead of trying to "fix" yourself, this approach invites a deeper relationship with your inner world, guided by your own innate capacity for clarity, compassion, and calm.
A Collaborative, Compassionate Style – Therapy with me is not about being analyzed from afar—it's a space where we’re in this together, with curiosity, kindness, and the occasional deep sigh.
Credentials
Supervised by Sarah Painter, LCSW #99930, Board of Behavioral Sciences
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT: #146950, Board of Behavioral Sciences, 2024)
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC: #16550, Board of Behavioral Sciences, 2024)
Suicide Prevention & Risk Assessment (Didi Hirsch, 2023)
Telehealth Training (Antioch University, 2023)
Trauma Focused-CBT (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2023)
Certified Usui Holy Fire Reiki Master (Ceremony Meditation, 2019)
Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (American Association of Drugless Practitioners, 2014)