Sarah Laninga, LCSW

Hi, I’m Sarah. As your therapist, I am here to help you heal and grow- I approach therapy with honesty and presence, showing up fully as myself. I laugh easily, and cry easily too. I’ve worked hard to become someone grounded, compassionate, intuitive, and authentic, and I bring that fully into my sessions, where anything you bring can be explored openly and freely together. My clients describe me as steady, warm, patient, playful, open minded, and discerning. 

I specialize in supporting older adolescents and adults—especially women—navigating life transitions, depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment and family-of-origin wounds, sex and intimacy concerns, and relationship conflicts.

I have a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Hawai’i. I draw on multiple evidenced-based and trauma-informed modalities and use techniques from Motivational Interviewing (MI), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Client-Centered Therapy, Horticultural Therapy, Reality Therapy, Transpersonal Therapy, and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT).

I have a holistic and humanistic approach to therapy, tailored to each person and their needs. I try to make every effort to blend the stability and strength of disciplined therapeutic principles with the exponential power of play, curiosity, and intuition. Integrating our sessions into your day-to-day is vital - if it doesn’t translate to your life, what’s the point? So we’ll find unique ways to equip you with the lessons and skills to gain insight and perspective, reclaim your sense of self, and discover your own innate ability to thrive in the face of adversity. I welcome, accept, and support all human beings and am an LGBTQIA+ ally.

When I’m not working, I love to garden, exercise, read, swim, and hike- all in a day if can! And do it all with good food and good company.

If you are seeking therapy because you are looking for help with severe psychopathology or personality disorder, are seeking couples or child therapy, therapy for the sake of court related goals, or if you are currently in an acute crisis, I am likely not the right fit for you. Reach out, and we’ll figure it out together.