Sara Gaertner
she/her
About
Sara
I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside clients through a wide range of life’s challenges — including anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship struggles, and trauma. I create a safe, inclusive space where everyone is honored and respected. I am an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or struggled to find their place.
Wherever you are on your path, I am here to help you clarify your core values, reclaim your voice, and build a life that feels authentic to you. I believe healing happens through personal growth, self-compassion, and deep respect for your individual journey. A deeply meaningful part of my work — informed by both personal experience and professional expertise — is supporting individuals through faith transitions, crises, and deconstruction.
My own story includes embracing my Japanese American roots and navigating a personal faith transition out of the LDS Church. Today, I anchor my life in values of kindness, optimism, and warmth. Outside of the office, I love spending time with those closest to me — especially my dogs — as well as reading, cooking vegetarian dishes, listening to music, spending time outdoors, and tackling creative DIY projects.
Sara
treats clients with
Bipolar
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Physical Health
Grief and Loss
Cultural or Racial Identity
Substance Use
Borderline Personality Disorder
Autism
Life Transitions
Relationship Difficulties
Trauma and PTSD
Weight Management
Anger
Childhood Challenges
Sex/Intimacy
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Communities
Sara
specializes in
LGBTQIA+ Affirming
Men's Issues
Women's Issues
Veterans
Immigrants/Refugees
Spirituality
Older Adults
Religion
Approaches
Sara
can use
Solution-Focused Therapy
Psychodynamic
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Seeking Safety
Harm Reduction for Substance Use Disorders
Abstinence-Only Models of Recovery
Smoking Cessation
Mindfulness
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Motivational Interviewing
Sara
education and experience
- Facilitator/Trainer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Two Chairs Institute
- Therapist Supervisor, Utah Department of Corrections
- Therapist, Utah Department of Corrections
- Therapist, Utah State Hospital - Forensics
- Master of Social Work (MSW), Brigham Young University
- Bachelor of Science (Major: Family Studies, Minor: Gerontology), Brigham Young University
Sara
license information