Sarah Wheeler

If you are reading this, you may be feeling exhausted by the weight of a double life, trapped in a cycle of compulsive behaviors or substance use that feels increasingly out of control. Or perhaps you are a partner whose world was upended in an instant—navigating the disorienting shock, deep grief, and constant hypervigilance of betrayal trauma. As a couple, you might find yourselves stuck in relentless conflict, unsure if trust can ever be restored after a devastating discovery. In these moments, isolation and withdrawal feel like the only protection, but they also keep the crisis alive. You don’t need to be diagnosed or sorted into a box to know that something feels deeply broken. You just need to know that the pain, shame, and confusion you are carrying can finally stop here, and that you don’t have to navigate it alone.

What It Feels Like in the Room

Working with me is a space of radical honesty paired with steady, non-judgmental presence. Clients often describe my approach as direct, grounded, and deeply compassionate. I won't just sit back and nod; whether working with an individual or a couple, we will actively roll up our sleeves together. In couples therapy, I provide a firm, neutral anchor—de-escalating active distress so you can actually hear one another again. We will slow things down, look courageously at what’s driving the pain, and gently challenge the destructive patterns keeping you stuck, always at a pace that honors safety, dignity, and clear boundaries.

Why This Work Matters to Me

I do this work because I deeply understand the disorientation, grief, and weight of these moments—I have walked through the fire of sudden upheaval and know what it takes to rebuild from the ashes. I am passionate about walking individuals and partners through their most vulnerable seasons because I know firsthand that true healing begins when shame and secrecy give way to genuine human connection. Watching an individual reclaim their integrity, or helping a couple step out of trauma-induced isolation back onto solid ground, is profoundly meaningful to me. My practice is guided by the core belief that no relationship or individual is beyond repair, and that we were never meant to heal from profound trauma or betrayal alone.

How My Background Serves You

To support you through these complex intersections, I bring a rich academic and clinical background grounded in trauma recovery, relational healing, and human behavior. I hold Master’s degrees in both Counselling Psychology and Personality & Social Psychology, and I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) Candidate. In our work, I integrate advanced trauma and relational frameworks—including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Gottman Method elements. This allows us to desensitize acute shock, reduce emotional hypervigilance, and deconstruct repetitive behavioral loops. Rather than just offering short-term coping mechanisms, my background allows us to safely target the root causes of trauma and addiction, giving you concrete tools to restore safety, repair trust, and build long-term relational stability.

A Little Something Human

When I’m not in the therapy room, you’ll usually find me out on the water, exploring botanical gardens, trying out new local restaurants, or planning our next trip to Ecuador—our cherished home away from home. On a regular day at home, however, a realistic portion of my time is spent wiping Mastiff drool off myself, my clothes, and virtually every surface in the house!