A woman with long wavy blonde hair, wearing a burgundy sweater, is sitting on a gray couch in a cozy, well-decorated room, smiling while resting her chin on her hand.

Sarah Merritt

MA, LPC, CEDS, EMDR Certified, Trained in Parts Work

I work with high-achieving women who feel pressure to "have it all together"—on stage, in the spotlight, or behind the scenes. Many of my clients are professional performers, athletes, public figures, or the partners of people in the public eye. Others are navigating the invisible demands of being the "responsible one"—whether as a pastor’s kid, the golden child, or the dependable achiever.

I understand these roles on a personal level. I’m both a pastor’s kid and married to a former professional athlete, and I know the weight of performance, expectation, and living parts of your story in front of others. My clients often look successful from the outside but struggle internally with self-criticism, burnout, or body image concerns. Some have a history of chronic dieting or disordered eating patterns that no longer align with the lives they want to lead. Others are tired of people-pleasing, perfectionism, or managing anxiety behind a polished exterior.

I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and EMDR Certified therapist with thousands of hours of experience helping clients move from survival mode to a more grounded, aligned way of living. My approach blends insight-oriented work with evidence-based strategies. I frequently integrate EMDR with parts work to help clients process past experiences, identify internal conflicts, and access more compassionate ways of relating to themselves.

Clients come to therapy with me to build better boundaries, soften harsh self-talk, reclaim their relationship with food and body, and live with more clarity and intention. I bring deep clinical training, a commitment to ongoing growth, and a strong belief that healing doesn’t have to mean falling apart—it can mean becoming more fully yourself.