​Sara Garl M.S.Ed. LCPC

Specialties: Included, but not limited to: Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Trauma, Life Transitions, Family Conflict, Adjustment Disorders, Chronic Pain, Aging Issues, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Grief, Suicide, Marital and Premarital, Adoption, Infertility, Obsessive-Compulsive, Eating Disorders, Obesity, Anger Management, Bipolar Disorder, Career Counseling, Adolescent Issues, Asperger’s, Academic Underachievement, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Parenting, Relationship Issues, Self-Esteem, Self-Harming, Suicidal Ideation, Teen Violence, PTSD, Pet Loss and Grief and Women's Issues

Therapy is a creative process built on a strong partnership. I believe the best outcomes start with honoring your own experiences, inherent wisdom and strengths. I believe that forging a path toward healing is best accomplished through compassionate understanding and acceptance of the past. My job is not to judge. It is to listen, support and guide you in understanding the areas in your life that may need attention. Together, we will identify goals and create a thoughtful, wise life plan in which healthy, effective change is possible.

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Rockford, I work with a number of evidence- based treatments to help clients. My therapeutic framework is grounded in the area of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, in particular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Additionally, I have a Master’s in Teaching and have spent many years as an educator and counselor in the public school setting working with at-risk students.

I strive to live in the present moment and utilize mindfulness meditation as a cornerstone of my own self-care practices. My interests include spending time in nature and with animals, reading, and achieving new personal goals. I own a registered therapy dog and believe in the power of animals to heal and comfort. The practice of therapy is endlessly fascinating, and I am passionate about keeping abreast of new ideas and practices in the counseling profession.