Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Anderson.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story starts with being a terrified teen who was privileged enough to experience a phenomenal therapist. From that time forward, I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to be able to provide the same positive experience for others that she provided for me. Grad school was challenging in so many ways, but I think that drive to provide the same care I had received fueled me. Working in agency settings for most of my career gave me the chance to develop a true passion for being authentic with my clients and watching the ways that authenticity has the power to transform lives. When I decided to start my own business, I felt this pull towards authenticity even more, which is why I chose the name Triple Moon Counseling – an homage to alternative spiritual practices that have resourced me through the past few years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not! Being a therapist has also privileged me in that I know smooth roads are few and far between, but the journey provides us with amazing chances for growth. Burnout is unfortunately very common in my field and I certainly struggled with it along the way. Every time I’ve experienced it, though, it’s taught me more and more about what boundaries I need to maintain and ways I need to prioritize my own mental health. I’ve learned when I can increase my coping strategies to manage increased stress and when it’s time to make a radical change such as changing jobs or starting my own practice. I have grown tremendously as a person thanks to the challenges on this path and I’m incredibly grateful to all of those (including my clients) who have contributed to that growth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, commonly known as a therapist, counselor, or psychotherapist. I provide individual therapy as well as assessments for adults who think they may have Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD. Both of these conditions in adults are frequently misunderstood as adults who haven’t been diagnosed previously typically have a myriad of masking strategies and systems that have enabled them to function. I’m passionate about helping neurodivergent adults to understand themselves better and to find the best possible way to function in a society that is unfortunately set up largely for those who are neurotypical.
I have a passion for working with folks in the LGBTQIA+ community as well as those who have experienced childhood trauma. Through combining research and my clinical experience, I have become an expert on childhood trauma and helping folks work on furthering their healing.
On a personal note, I’m very proud of myself for taking the risk to be authentic in my practice. I’ve been truly grateful with the community response and the opportunity to connect with other individuals who resonate with alternative spiritual practices.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I was lucky enough to start renting office space from two wonderful women (Heidi Rinehart and Sarah Russell of Simpsonville Counseling Associates) who were fantastic in helping me get connected with clients when I was starting out. This was a huge benefit and I am so grateful to them as networking events can be overwhelming for an introvert like myself. I’ve had a wonderful amount of people that I’ve been able to learn from, one of the most impactful was my supervisor at SCDMH who struck the perfect balance of sharing knowledge she had with encouraging me to trust my own clinical judgment. My best advice for finding a mentor in this field is to find someone who knows what they’re doing but doesn’t take themselves too seriously (we’re all human in the end).
Pricing:
- Individual therapy – $115
- Autism/ADHD assessment – $1500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.triplemooncounseling.com
