Sarah (Sally) Zehrung, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Welcome to your transformative journey towards healing. I am a dedicated and experienced therapist committed to guiding my clients through the process of recovery and renewed empowerment. With over a decade of clinical experience in trauma-informed care, my mission is to provide a safe and compassionate space for exploration and growth.

My therapeutic toolbox includes evidence-based practices such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Narrative interventions, and trauma-focused modalities such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR. Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event, struggling with anxiety and depression, or navigating the unique challenges of chronic illness, I offer tailored support that addresses your individual needs.

Recognizing the interconnected nature of mind and body, I take a holistic approach to therapy. Together, we will explore not only the emotional and psychological aspects of your experiences but also the physical and social dimensions. This integrative approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of your unique situation and contributes to a more effective and sustainable healing process.

Therapy is a collaborative journey, and our work together will focus on building coping skills, fostering self-compassion, and empowering you to regain your voice and take an active role in your healing. I strive to create a therapeutic alliance built on trust, respect, and open communication.

Services and Cost

I do not accept insurance at this time. Please see the FAQ page to learn more about this.

I offer both in-person and telehealth appointments for individual adult clients aged 18 and up.

• Initial assessment- $225
• Individual sessions- 55 minutes $175
  
• Sessions that includes one or more additional participant (partner, parent, etc.) -75 minutes $200
• Therapeutic phone calls longer than 15 minutes are charged at an hourly, pro-rated rate

I require 24 hours notice for any cancellation or request to reschedule your appointments. If the appointment is missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours notice given, I charge a $125 cancellation fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your qualifications?

• I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Multicultural Counseling from The Evergreen State College (2009), a Master’s Degree in Couple, Child, and Family Therapy from Antioch University Seattle (2013). I have been independently licensed to practice Marriage and Family Therapy in Washington since 2016.
  
• My work has taken me to a variety of settings since 2008 including inpatient treatment facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential treatment facilities, and outpatient clinics for adults, children, and families.
• I have completed various training programs for TF-CBT and EMDR, and my license requires continuing education every year.

Why don’t you take insurance?

• Confidentiality and Privacy: Insurance companies require therapists to provide diagnostic and treatment information in order to process and pay claims. Some clients are concerned that this compromises their privacy, as these details become part of their medical record and can potentially be accessed by employers or other entities. By signing an insurance contract, therapists agree to the possibility that a client’s treatment records may be reviewed in order to justify or revoke payment for services previously rendered. By not accepting insurance, this means I am not required to provide a formal diagnosis, as some people come to therapy for issues that do not qualify as a mental health condition that requires a diagnosis.
• Clinical Autonomy: Insurance companies may dictate the number of sessions, treatment methods, or the duration of therapy, which can limit a therapist's ability to provide the most appropriate and effective care for their clients. Some insurance policies require therapists to continually request authorizations to continue treatment, which may stall treatment. By eliminating the third-party influence of the insurance plan, we are able to collaborate together on what will best work for your needs and our time together.

Since you don’t take insurance, how do you take payment?

• I require all clients to keep a valid credit or debit card on file. This can also be an HSA card provided by your employer. Payment will be collected at the time of our session.
• I also accept cash or personal check. There will be a $35 fee if a personal check is returned.

Therapy is expensive. What are the options for cost-reduction and accessibility?

• I offer a sliding scale payment rate for clients who are unable to cover the full cost of sessions. This is something we can work out together to meet your specific needs.
  
• If you do have “out of network” benefits through your insurance plan, I can provide a receipt called a superbill you can potentially submit to your insurance plan for direct reimbursement. I cannot guarantee the amount for which you will be reimbursed, if anything. I advise all clients to contact their insurance company directly to ask how this is handled for their specific plan. I am happy to help guide you through the process. I cannot provide superbills for medicare recipients at this time.
  

What should I expect during our sessions?

• You will be met with compassion and understanding at every step in your journey. I treat our relationship with the utmost respect for your unique circumstances. I strive to provide a safe, judgement-free space for clients to explore challenging emotions and vulnerabilities.
  
• Our work will commence with creating a plan for your treatment that will be used to measure your progress over time.
  
• You will learn concrete and applicable tools to use outside of session that will encourage your growth and help get you moving toward the life you want.
  
• I balance my work between teaching practical coping strategies, interactive conversation and supportive reflection (“talk therapy”), and evidence-based clinical interventions.
  

How long will I need to work with you?

• Therapy is a unique and individualized journey, and its length is often determined by your progress and the achievement of your therapeutic goals.
  
• In our initial sessions, we'll work together to identify your specific needs, set achievable goals, and outline a treatment plan tailored to your unique circumstances. Regular check-ins and ongoing communication will allow us to assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
• As we continue our work together, we can revisit the question of duration periodically, adjusting our approach as needed to ensure that you are getting the most out of our time together. If at any point you have questions or concerns about the pace or direction of our work, please feel free to bring them up, and we can discuss them openly.

Location and Contact