Sarah Cooper, LCSW, SEP

I traveled a meandering road to becoming a somatic therapist. 

I lived in my head. My brain could be a busy, pinball machine, constantly bouncing things around, worry often taking hold. This brain helps me be detail oriented and tackle complex problem solving, but it can be exhausting! My body on the other hand was often tired and painful. I would push hard and power through but then end up being exhausted. 

I always wanted to help people and contribute to the greater good. I started off my career in grass roots social justice work and non-profit management. My own introduction to therapy was after experiencing post-partum depression and anxiety over 20 years ago.  This began my healing journey, but the mind-body connection wasn't made right away. It was gradual. 

I worked in Community Mental Health and at a University Counseling Center. Both were very rewarding and demanding jobs that pushed me beyond my capacity at times. During this time, after years with pain symptoms that seemed reserved for someone much older than me, I was diagnosed with a chronic, invisible illness. I stumbled upon Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal Theory. I immersed myself in learning about these body-based approaches that help you learn now to regulate your autonomic nervous system. Through this "bottom up" approach, I learned to listen to and build trust in my body and not be controlled by my thoughts. It was a game changer for me personally and professionally. I had a whole new way of helping my clients understand their patterns with self-compassion rather that judgement.  

Professional Development and Licensure

Licensed Clinical Social Workers have to complete over 3000 hours of supervised clinical hours plus at least 100 hours of direct supervision after completing their graduate program with a Masters of Social Work.  We are bound by a code of ethics and regulated by professional state boards. We have to pass a state licensing exam and maintain a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education credit each year. I typically complete 80+ hours of continuing education on average each year and regularly participate in professional consultation so that I can provide the best possible care for my clients. 

Specialized training in trauma, chronic pain, and anxiety

• Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Professional Certificate (3 years of training plus professional consultations and personal sessions)

• Somatic Experiencing Assistant (I continue to attend trainings and assist new learners at the Beginning and Intermediate Levels)

• Somatic Experiencing Personal Session Provider (for Beginning Level)

• Relational Bodywork and Somatic Education (BASE: 1 year program with Dave Berger, MFT, PT, MA, SEP, BASE-P)

• Dynamic Attachment Repatterning experience (DARe by Dr. Dianne Poole Heller) Part 1

• Somatic Resilience and Regulation (Part 1 with Kathy Kain, PhD, SEP and Stephen Terrell, PsyD, SEP)

• Pain Reprocessing Therapy Practitioner Training

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Immersion with Dr. Steven Hayes

• Polyvagal Institute with Deb Dana, LCSW

• LCSW Approved Supervisor in Commonwealth of Virginia since 2017

Masters of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008

A little more about me...

I have lived in Charlottesville for over 20 years and with my husband we raised two children who are now young adults (and they still like to hang out with us)! I enjoy being outdoors, listening to live music, kayaking, reading, moving my body, and snuggling with my two elderly beagles.   I appreciate a good nap and value being comfortable and cozy. I aim to create a calm, safe space in my office for you. I recognize my privilege as a cis, white, able bodied woman who grew up middle class. I have continuous work to do, but strive to be anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ affirming.