Taking care of yourself often comes last when life gets full. It often feels impossible to find time for yourself. In my work, I provide a consistent space for overwhelmed women who are tired of feeling burnt out, reactive, and behind and have decided that they want to feel like themselves again... or get to know themselves again on this side of a major life change. I am dedicated to helping clients realize that prioritizing their own health and wellbeing isn’t selfish and that taking care of you is what will allow you to thrive.

Hi, I’m Sarah Watts and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and am certified in Perinatal Mental Health. I’m so glad you’re here. I believe in providing a safe place for clients to feel accepted as their authentic selves, while also being challenged to change and grow.

In my own journey to parenthood, I found out that building a family and feeling like yourself as a mom is not as straightforward as I imagined it to be. I found that the hard days of fertility and motherhood felt isolating and scary, especially in a culture of social media and perfectionism. After my own experience postpartum, I sought out additional training through Postpartum Support International and now hold my Certification in Perinatal Mental Health in order to better help other parents in this unique season. I specialize in working with clients through the transitions of pregnancy, fertility, birth, postpartum, and parenthood. It’s my hope to be a grounding, empathetic place for clients navigating this stage and to help them re-envision a life where they can thrive even while caring for their families.

Some common themes I support clients with include:

- Pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, including difficult birth experiences

- Perinatal mental health (anxiety, depression, OCD, rage, etc.)

- Grief and loss, including fertility challenges, perinatal loss, and unmet expectations - Mom Guilt & Identity in motherhood, including return to work

- Navigating Infant Feeding challenges, Breastfeeding disappointment

- Coping skills for parenting stress or challenging child behaviors

- Intimacy and partner connection

- Perfectionism and Self-Criticism

- Family of Origin

- Values and identity

Clients and colleagues often describe me as warm, affirming, and collaborative. I believe that when people feel truly heard, we can begin to understand our needs and feel brave enough to consider change. I believe that the client is the expert in their own needs and lives, and will encourage you to play an active role in the therapy process. In our work together, you can expect that we will often look to the past — how you were raised, your life experiences, and your values — in order to see how that may be informing your present decisions and reactions. In the safe space of therapy, we can start to discern together what instinctive and learned reactions are serving you and which ones may need to adjust. In our work together, we will practice identifying your needs, untangling the ways you are currently coping, and move towards new patterns of responding that are aligned with your values. While I specialize in working with mothers, I also enjoy working with a variety of adult clients across the lifespan.

I approach counseling from a client-centered and Adlerian perspective, and integrate a variety of approaches based on a client’s situation and goals. These approaches include Self-

Compassion, Attachment Theory, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), among others. I also incorporate multiple facets of cultural identity into my work with clients.

For my training, I received my Master of Science degree in Counseling from Southern Methodist University. My undergraduate degree is from Vanderbilt University in Spanish and Human & Organizational Development. Prior to counseling, I was an educator and coached new teachers through career change, professional relationships, and identity development work with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have counseling experience in both community clinics and private practice and have worked with adult clients on a wide range of concerns.

Outside of work, I feel most myself when I can spend the afternoon outside with a coffee in hand and some company — my friends, large extended family, husband, or my 3 daughters. You might find me recharging at a yoga class, finding a minute to read a new book, on a walk, or eating at a local restaurant.

I work Tuesday-Thursday from 8-3 and sees clients both in-person at our Mockingbird Station office and virtually. If you would like to schedule a free 10-minute phone consultation, feel free to email sarah@mend-counseling.com

Texas LPC License #: #87296

Single Session: $165 Double Session: $285