Sara K. Pelaez
Vetted

Sara K. Pelaez

She/Her/Hers

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
Georgia, Illinois, Florida Accepting Online
Updated November 24, 2022

Specialties & Expertise

  • Trauma
  • Adjustment difficulties & disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Couples counseling
  • Life transitions
  • Relationship issues

Professional statement

Sara Pelaez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional practicing in Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. She works with individuals and couples with a focus on professional adults. Many of her clients have found great success in their personal and professional lives, but struggle to feel connected in their relationships or at peace in their daily lives. Sara is particularly sensitive to clients facing present-past trauma, moments of transition, relationship or marital issues when the delicate balance can seem to tremble, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt can emerge.

Sara’s approach is rooted in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, and Emotional Focus Therapy. These are evidence-based approaches that focus on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make a targeted change. It is a bottom-up/top-down approach that provides a 360 view of the client's inner world. She works to help clients understand their physical response to external stressors, and begin to problem-solve ways to introduce moments of calm, to choose to respond rather than react in the face of change.

Sara is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: her style is interactive, non-judgmental, and positions clients as the experts on where they are now, and where they want to go. A trauma-informed therapist, Sara is sensitive to the influence of past experiences on present challenges and works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence and compassion.

Sara’s first priority in starting with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partners in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of your self-care calendar.


Message to clients

I am a Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Emotional Focus therapy certified professional. I have an integrative and holistic approach to my practice. My style is warm, practical, and effective. I create a safe environment for you to do your best work. I am devoted to the application of best practices and innovative research.

I am a bilingual Spanish-speaking, culturally aware BIPOC, and LGTBQ-friendly therapist. If you are receiving Ketamine or other related treatments, I am trained in Medicine Assisted Psychotherapy, and I can help with therapy, preparation, integration, and harm reduction.

I make use of these tools with adults and couples who are motivated to move the needle forward with wonderful results. Together we explore attachment styles, and interpersonal neurobiology, and practice understanding and befriending the nervous system. I dedicate myself to my clients and the advancement of their healing. Together, we work towards bringing back the true core of their being. That part of us needs to remember what it was like to be whole, at peace, connected, safe, and strong with all the parts of the human experience. I encourage you to start this new journey of hope.


Specialties

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

Adjustment difficulties & disorders - Support around adapting to new and/or challenging life circumstances; skill-building for improved stress management and reduction of anxiety.

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Couples counseling - Addressing relationship challenges and life transitions; strengthening communication and feelings of security, desire, connection, and love

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Relationship issues - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Parents
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Sara Pelaez is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $175 (53min)
  • Initial session: $175 (53min)
  • Couples sessions: $225 (53min)
  • Group sessions: $84 (49min)
  • Family sessions: $250 (53min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Credit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week
  • Every other month
  • Multiple times a week
Therapist's note

NA


Location(s)

Online Sessions (Georgia)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Please inquire about hours
  • Tue Please inquire about hours
  • Wed Please inquire about hours
  • Thu Please inquire about hours
  • Fri Please inquire about hours
  • Sat Please inquire about hours
  • Sun Please inquire about hours

Online Sessions (Illinois)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Please inquire about hours
  • Tue Please inquire about hours
  • Wed Please inquire about hours
  • Thu Please inquire about hours
  • Fri Please inquire about hours
  • Sat Please inquire about hours
  • Sun Please inquire about hours

Online Sessions (Florida)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Please inquire about hours
  • Tue Please inquire about hours
  • Wed Please inquire about hours
  • Thu Please inquire about hours
  • Fri Please inquire about hours
  • Sat Please inquire about hours
  • Sun Please inquire about hours

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 24 years

NWCG - NEW WORLD COUNSELING GROUP, PRINCIPAL, 2000 - Present

Somatic Experiencing International, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner ( 3 yr certification program expected completion 2021), 2021
International University of Professional Studies, PhD Human Development & Professional Coaching (expected completion 2021), 2021
The Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy, Rapid Resolution Therapy Certificate, 2019
National Board of Certified Counselors, Board Certified Coach, 2018
Gottman Institute, Couples Therapist Certificate, 2018
National Board of Certified Counselors, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, 2017
EMDRIA Eye Movement Desesintezation Reprocessing International Association, EMDR Certified 3 year program, 2017
ICEEFT International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy Certificate, 2017
Beck Institute, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate, 2015
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, 2015
The Wellness Institute , Hypnotherapy , 2014
Roosevelt University, MA Clinical Mental Health, 2013
National Board of Certified Counselors, National Certified Counselor, 2013
Northeastern University of IL, MS Psychology BA Human Resources/Pychology 1987, 2000


Licensure

Georgia: LPC009990

Illinois: 180.010685

Florida: MH18666


Languages

English

Spanish