Sarah Taby M.S., L.P.C., N.C.C.

"When reflecting on my work as a psychotherapist, I am more inclined to think of myself as a midwife to the soul than a counselor. My strongest hope when we stand at the end of your therapeutic journey is that you will own and honor the beautiful metamorphosis from the person you were to the person you were destined to become. "

The seeds of Sarah's desire to become a psychotherapist might have been planted when she was eight years old and discovered a psychology textbook in a box of free books at a community yard sale. She carried this with her and told everyone that she was going to become a child psychologist. Despite these childhood aspirations, she entered Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA, with the intention of eventually becoming a lawyer, and chose to major in Criminal Justice and Philosophy.

During her senior year of college, an emotionally stressful position as a legal advocate for a women's shelter caused her to realize the importance of taking care of one's mental health and rekindled her desire to become a psychotherapist.

After graduating from college, Sarah lived in Baltimore, MD, and volunteered in the AmeriCorps Vista program. It was through working in inner-city Baltimore that she began to realize the power and significance of creating relationships with people in order to forge change. When her service was up, she enrolled in graduate school at Shippensburg University to study counseling.

Today Sarah is a licensed professional counselor with a wealth of experiences. Prior to starting Alexander Mental Health Services, she provided individual, group, and family counseling in a variety of settings. Working with adolescents is her passion, but she also finds fulfillment from seeing adults, couples, facilitating groups, and providing educational presentations for the community. She has lead psycho-educational trainings on dream therapy, ADHD 101, ADHD in the classroom, the adolescent brain, and parenting the adolescent's brain.

The foundation of her therapeutic work is formed through the trusting relationship she cultivates with her clients. By creating an emotionally safe environment, her clients are free to open up and begin their journeys toward growth. Beyond a person-centered approach, she also incorporates the following in her practice:

·       Cognitive Therapy

·       Empowerment Counseling

·       Focusing

·       Interpersonal Therapy

·       Emotional Regulation

·       Dialectical Behavior Therapy

·       Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

·       Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

·       Coping Skill Development

·       Psycho-Education

·       Strength Building

·       ADHD Coaching

·       Art and Music in Therapy

·       Mindfulness Based Therapy

·       Guided Imagery

·       Dream Work

·       Couples Counseling

·       Animal-Assisted Therapy

Her interests include anxiety management, depression, adolescent development, grief and loss, trauma issues, adult children of alcoholics, adult survivors of dysfunction, ADHD/ODD, LGBTQ issues, peer relational issues, women's issues, parent/teen relationships, and couples.

In April of 2016, Sarah opened the doors to her practice, Alexander Mental Health Services. She chose the name Alexander to honor her Great Grandma Alexander and her Great Great Aunt Alexander. Both women were role models of strength, courage, love, and empowerment. Sarah hopes that by naming her practice in their honor, she will be able to inspire others to live life in the spirit of her beloved relatives. 

Sarah resides in Carlisle, PA, with her life partner and two dogs. She is the co-owner of Miss Ruth's Time Bomb and co-producer of the Market of Curiosities. In her leisure time, she enjoys raising service dogs for Phoenix Assistance Dogs, advocating for equality, attending flea markets and auctions, vending vintage clothing at various locations around the country, crafting, fixing up her vintage travel trailer, having dinner with friends, and listening to audio books and podcasts.

·       B. A., Philosophy and Criminal Justice, 2002, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA

·       M. S., College Counseling, 2006, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA

·       National Board of Certified Counselors, 2010

·       Licensed Professional Counselor, 2010

·       Opened Alexander Mental Health Services, 2016