Licensed Professional Counselor
Sara is the owner of the Counseling Affect and has been working in Mental Health since 2008. She obtained her license and began practice as a therapist in 2017.
Sara counsels all ages and specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
She has experience treating Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory difficulties, developmental disabilities, ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma and parenting.
Sara Campbell
Sara’s genuineness and openness allow her to be personable and fun without blurring boundaries.
Approach
Sara's specialty is working with neurodivergent individuals and their families. This field is particularly meaningful to her as she has an Autistic child of her own, and understands both the challenges and opportunities families face. She understands loss, grief and life’s hardships from personal experience and meets her patients with empathy and acceptance.
Her heart is in helping families work together to understand each other better, and helping people learn how to express and communicate their thoughts and feelings with others.
When working with parents, especially parents of kids struggling with behavioral issues and inattention, she approaches therapy from a sensory, body awareness, and polyvagal perspective, helping them understand that all behavior is a form of communication.
Many of the people she works with are looking for a better understanding of their body, behavior and thoughts, which has guided her towards a more psychoeducational approach at times. She enjoys providing education to parents and adults about their symptoms and disabilities as well as ways to support their needs.
Her treatment paths often follow the lines of AutPlay, Lego Based Therapy/Therabuild, Safe and Sound Protocol, Polyvagal, Person Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She always focuses on meeting her patients where they are and letting them take as much of the lead as is appropriate.
Trust & Safety
Sara views trust and safety as the most important factors in the counselor / patient relationship.
She believes all people are equal and should feel free of judgment and prejudice regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. That level of acceptance flows from her personal life and is evident in her business ethics and therapeutic relationships.
More About Sara
Sara originally thought she wanted to be a band director. Her journey to becoming a Mental Health Therapist has always been driven by a need to help people. Now she is where she is meant to be, doing what she was created to do. Her personal belief in God and her trust and respect for the people she works with and counsels are the things that make it all possible.
Outside of work, Sara is a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, hiking, walking and garden/lawn work. She regularly volunteers as an Autism Involves Me Community Partner.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, Henderson State University
Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Arkansas
Certified provider for AutPlay and the Safe and Sound Protocol.
