Sarah Cooper, LCSW, SEP

I traveled a meandering road to becoming a somatic therapist. 

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've always had a busy brain. When I'm under stress it can feel like a pinball machine, balls bouncing in random directions with no real organization. Other times a thought spiral may fixate on a specific topic.  My body on the other hand is another story. For years I pushed myself physically as a way to cope with my busy brain. The high of intense exercise and pushing past my limits was the main way I coped with anxiety and convinced myself I could keep going.  Movement is a wonderful way of coping, but I wasn't in touch with my full experience. I was starting to have extreme fatigue, overall muscular skeletal pain, digestive issues, and other unexplained ailments. I went to my doctor searching for an explanation but didn't find any clear answers. 

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, my symptoms increased and it was like my body was screaming at me to slow down. It wasn't until I found Somatic Experiencing and started truly making the connection between mind and body that I started to learn there was another way to cope and relate to myself.  Through this "bottom up" approach, I learned to listen to and build trust in my body and appreciate the gifts of this busy brain. It was also during this time I got some answers to my symptoms. I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that impacts multiple systems. I've learned to appreciate the way my body and mind adapted to navigate the world. Through somatic based work, I learned I can nurture and work with my nervous system to form new patterns and neural pathways so that my body doesn't always feel under threat. This work has been game changing for me personally and professionally. I have a whole new way of helping my clients understand their patterns with self-compassion rather that judgement.  Now we focus on nurturing and listening to your nervous system rather than viewing your patterns as "problems to fix." 

Credentials

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker which means I had to complete over 3000 hours of supervised clinical hours plus over 100 hours of direct supervision after completing my Masters of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.  I am  bound by a code of ethics and regulated by a professional state board. I typically complete 80+ hours of continuing education on average each year and regularly participate in professional consultation so that I can provide you with the best possible care. 

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) Parts 1 & 2

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

• Pain Reprocessing Therapy Practitioner Training and continued consultation

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Immersion with Dr. Steven Hayes

• Polyvagal Institute with Deb Dana, LCSW

• LCSW Approved Supervisor in Commonwealth of Virginia since 2017

A little more about me...

I have lived in Charlottesville for over 20 years. My husband and I raised two children here and now enjoy spending time with them as young adults. 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. You'll often see me sitting cross legged in my chair with shoes off. I aim to create a calm, safe space in my office for you. I have continuous work to do, but recognize the privileges I've experienced and strive to create an environment that is anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ affirming.