Sarah Moyer

Adolescence and young adulthood are full of growth and change—physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Teens and young adults are figuring out who they are, navigating friendships and family relationships, and stepping into new responsibilities—all while managing social pressures.

This stage of life isn’t about something being “wrong” to fix—it’s a natural journey of self-discovery. In therapy, I work with young people to better understand themselves, their emotions, and their choices, while offering guidance and tools to face life’s challenges with confidence.

I meet teens/young adults exactly where they are, creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative space. Together, we focus on building resilience, self-confidence, and practical skills for managing relationships and life pressures, while also celebrating and strengthening the strengths they already have. My goal is to normalize this journey, help teens and young adults feel understood, and support them in discovering how to thrive during this transformative time.

PARENT - CHILD CARE

In my work with parents and their young children, I support both the parent individually and the parent–child relationship together. As a certified Parent–Child CARE (PC-CARE) provider, I often use this evidence-based approach—one of the newest protocols to evolve from Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) at UC Davis Children’s Hospital—because it offers a positive, supportive framework for families.

Through PC-CARE, parents gain practical skills and strategies to navigate the ups and downs of parenting young children, deepen their understanding of child development, and build confidence in both themselves and their child. This model has been invaluable not only in my counseling practice but also in my own experience raising my three children.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

In addition to parent–child work, I offer individual therapy for children. I truly believe that children are inherently good and approach every session with unconditional positive regard, treating each child with warmth, respect, and understanding. Therapy should be a safe, low-stress space where children feel seen, heard, and supported, even when they’re facing challenges or difficult emotions.

From my experience, traditional talk therapy and problem-focused approaches—which can be effective for adults—are often less helpful for young children, who may not yet have the words or perspective to fully express themselves. Instead, I often use play as a primary intervention, which allows children to communicate in the language they know best. Play gives children opportunities to practice social and emotional skills, explore their feelings, and build connections. In this space, my role is to provide safety and warmth—supporting each child as they explore their experiences and develop new skills in ways that feel natural and empowering.

Both individual and parent–child approaches can be transformative, and I’m grateful to offer families the option that best supports their child’s and family’s unique needs.

While much of my career has centered on children and parents, I have truly loved expanding my work with adults. Early on, someone told me, “If you can work with children, you can work with adults.” At first I wasn’t sure what they meant, but I’ve come to see the truth in it. My training in child development and brain science has given me a deep understanding of the skills we all need throughout life (and may not have received in our early years!)—because at every age, our core longings remain the same: to be seen, heard, understood, and to experience joy.

I believe every season of life can be meaningful and full of growth. Many of the same tools I use with children and teens—emotional regulation, communication, self-compassion, and even play—are just as powerful for adults. At the same time, I recognize that each person brings their own unique story, strengths, and needs. That’s why I take a personalized, collaborative approach—working alongside you to clarify your goals and move toward what feels most supportive and empowering.

In therapy, I create a safe, supportive space where you can slow down, explore your experiences, and strengthen your capacity to cope with challenges while also reconnecting with resilience, meaning, and the ability to experience joy. My goal is not to “fix” you, but to walk with you as you discover new ways of being that feel real and life-giving.

Group therapy is one of my favorite ways to support growth. There’s something truly powerful about realizing you’re not alone in your struggles—and that others genuinely understand what you’re going through. In a group setting, children, teens, or adults have the chance to connect, share, and learn from each other in ways that can be harder to access in individual therapy.

The groups I run are usually skills-based and/or process-based. Skills-based groups focus on learning practical tools and strategies, like managing emotions, improving communication, or building social skills. Process-based groups provide a safe space to explore feelings, relationships, and personal experiences while gaining insight from others’ perspectives. Many groups combine both approaches, so participants can learn new skills while also reflecting on their experiences in a supportive, collaborative environment.