Racial Identity

As a Black therapist, I will give you the space to process your identity and racial trauma, as well as, any challenges that come with navigating a white supremacy society.

As a black man in America i first hand understand and have the lived experience of what it is like being black in this country. As a first generation African American, i also have the lived experience of being raised in two different cultures and navigating the different cultural dynamics.

Through EMDR, IFS, and somatic work, we uncover the parts of you that have been silenced, denied, or forced into the background to survive. I help you put language to your experiences, validate what was once denied, and give it space to heal. With EMDR reprocessing, we shift deep beliefs shaped by oppression—from “I have to shrink myself” to “I deserve to take up space”—so you can move through the world with authenticity and self-trust.

Our aim is to facilitate discussions on fostering and promoting positive racial identity, racial consciousness, and addressing internalized biases. Through multicultural counseling techniques and identity exploration, we empower clients to navigate the complexities of race and racial identity with confidence and authenticity.

I understand that racial identity is deeply personal and can shape how we experience the world, relationships, and self-worth. I provide a safe, supportive space to explore cultural identity, process experiences with discrimination or bias, and build confidence in who you are. Using a client-centered, culturally responsive approach, I help you navigate belonging, intergenerational dynamics, and societal pressures while fostering self-acceptance, empowerment, and resilience.

I specialize in helping clients navigate the complexities of their racial or ethnic identities, especially in the context of racism, discrimination, and systemic inequality. My approach provides a safe space to explore your experiences, process the trauma associated with racial prejudice, and develop effective coping strategies. I am sensitive to the cultural nuances and unique challenges faced by marginalized groups and work towards validating your experiences while promoting resilience.

I entered the field of therapy because I noticed there is a lack of support and structure for those who are racial minorities. Our world is filled with rhetoric of what it means to be a racial minority now and my goal is to ensure that you belong.

As a mixed therapist, I have intersecting experiences of both privilege and oppression. I offer healing from impacts of systems of oppression alongside your personal healing and growth. Grounding our internal experiences in the external world helps us recognize, name, and intentionally navigate systems that often make us feel like we have no choice. Together, we can unpack how we have internalized–and maybe even recreated–these systems of oppression inside ourselves.

Race means a multitude of things depending who you ask. I have been working with BI&POC communities my entire career with a specialization in mixed individuals navigating their own identity.

I use a mixture of lived experience and clinical knowledge to support my clients in exploring and feeling empowered within their racial identities. It can be a complex and vulnerable thing to explore what your racial identity means to you. Having a therapist that can guide and support that exploration and self-understanding without judging or having any kind of feels about it can be liberating! I love creating that space for BIPOC folks to exist and explore themselves without judgement.

Much of my graduate level research and training has been in understanding the complex racial identity development of people of color and White individuals. My dissertation research included examining how Black clients responded to White therapists who overtly broach cross-racial differences in the therapy session.

I am Half-Korean and Half-Italian, and my parents are 1st and 2nd generation immigrants to the US. Therapy has historically been a "white" thing to do, and has not always been a safe experience for people of color. I enjoy working with people of all intersecting identities, and work to remain culturally humble as a person and clinician. Therapy can be a helpful place to address issues related to racial identity, racial trauma, or navigating multiple cultures.

I am mixed-race Chicanx and racial identity is something that I have been navigating since early childhood. In that way, much of my relationship with racial identity and mental health is informed by the concept of belongingness and thwarted belongingness as well as systemic oppression.

I facilitate healing and growth, acknowledging the intersectionality of identities through earned wisdom and lived experience as an Asian American. I navigate sensitive issues, fostering trust and empowerment using cultural healing and incorporating decolonized approaches to therapy. My practice integrates evidence-based techniques with cultural sensitivity, ensuring clients receive affirming and effective support on their journey towards self-discovery and resilience.

I have experience working with folks who want to process their racial and cultural experiences and the ways in which they are impacted. I have also worked with people who feel disconnected from their racial and cultural identities.

I can accompany you in your journey of navigating the complexities of being your true self in a society that may not value your unique point of view. You may face competing demands to fit into mainstream American society and into your respective cultural groups. This may lead to having double or triple the expectations, as you are trying to please various audiences. I can assist you in making sense of the different contexts you have existed in and how these have influenced your wellbeing.

Sarah's research and clinical experiences revolve around exploring racial identity, particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults.