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  • Welcome!

    Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes, even the strongest people amongst us need a little bit of help to work through some of life’s more challenging problems. Everyone has battles to fight and hurdles to overcome at some point. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, or any other issue, you should know that there is hope for a better tomorrow.


    In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity

    You might be initially hesitant to seek out help and support for personal matters, but when you do, you will feel confident that you are taking a courageous first step towards getting to a better place and being a better you.

    If you’re interested in becoming a better, happier, more fulfilled you,
    get started by reaching out today!

    Choosing a therapist can be daunting.

    There are so many unknowns and what ifs. The last thing you want to happen is to choose a therapist that isn’t a great fit. I’m going to take this opportunity to tell you who I am and how I practice with the hopes of not wasting your time.

     Who I am

    • Honest
    • Active
    • Humorous
    • Calm

    Who I am NOT

    • Passive
    • Quiet
    • Focused on symptom management or reduction
    • Woo Woo (using crystal deodorant, healing chakras)

    If you want someone who uses humor, actively engages in problem solving, has a strong calming presence, and doesn’t take shit from anyone, then I am your gal.

    Here is some background about me.  I grew up in the rural mountains of North Carolina. I know what it’s like to be considered an outsider and to feel like I didn’t fit into a particular community.  These past experiences fuel my fire as a social justice warrior.

    I also learned how to survive in an unforgiving environment. We would be out of power for a week during harsh winter storms.  This is before the internet and like that would help anyway there’s no damn power! I pride myself on being tough and resilient during times of stress.  I love teaching these skills to my clients.

    I am a fighter and don’t shy away from conflict.  That’s why I love couples and families dealing with conflict.

    I am raising a bicultural family.  I have two kids, one girl and one boy.  My husband is from Germany.  Raising a family is hard let alone trying to honor traditions from two culturally different parents.  It’s also hard to choose to raise your kids differently than the way you were raised.

    I hope I can help families that are walking similar paths.

    Why Families?

    I first got interested in psychology by watching guest therapists do their “magic” on talk shows like Sally Jesse Raphael.

    I love reading books and watching movies/shows on fucked up families.  Families fascinate me!

    I value family which is why I was drawn (destined?) to become a family therapist.

    What Family Therapy is Not

    • Families come in each week getting into screaming fights, throwing chairs (Jerry, Jerry)! and feeling even more helpless before starting therapy.
    • Me as the therapist threatening family members with exile or treatment programs (Thanks InterventionTM!)
    • Me solving all the family’s problems and wrapping things up with a neat little bow like most 90’s sitcoms.  (I am not Dr. Jason Seaver)

    What Family Therapy is

    • Me holding space for families to safely talk about issues and problem solve
    • Families getting real with each other which increases emotional intimacy
    • Me providing insight and guidance to help families get out of negative cycles

    About Sarah Lauterbach

    Hi there!

    I’m Sarah Lauterbach, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  I am a recovering perfectionist, beach lover (Atlantic only, Pacific is too cold), fur baby owner (two shelter dogs and cats), and mother to two young children.  I am quite the bookworm and enjoy teen fiction, non-fiction, and Stephen King.

    One-Stop Shop

    One of the benefits of working with a family therapist is we’re trained to do couples, individual, and family work. I don’t believe each family member needs their own therapist. This ain’t Oprah’s favorite things-”you get a therapist! And you get a therapist!”

    I want to save you time and money by offering different modes of treatment.  However, I will make recommendations for an outside therapist if the situation calls for it.

    Jeez, enough about me, let’s turn to you…

    Clients I Work Best With

    • Talkative/likes to talk things out
    • Curious about your past and how it affects you now
    • On the anxious side up to having an anxiety disorder
    • Done with family drama
    • Planning a family or currently raising a family

     

    Let's connect online and get started!