Sarah Thiessen

Dr. Sarah Thiessen is an EMDR Certified Perinatal Mental Health specialist (PMH-C) who specializes in treating trauma and PTSD, anxiety, and perinatal mental health issues such as birth trauma, loss, and infertility. She works with clients of all ages and brings a warm, grounded presence to therapy, creating a space where you can feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. At Island Waters Counseling, therapy is a space to slow down, feel supported, and work through life’s harder moments. Sarah's work with you is collaborative, compassionate, and centered on what feels most helpful for you. Sarah primarily uses EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) through an IFS-informed lens, while also incorporating tools from cognitive behavioral therapy. This means therapy isn’t just about talking things through — it’s about helping your nervous system process experiences so they don’t keep showing up in the present. Sessions are tailored to you, your pace, and what you’re ready to work on. ​Supporting individuals during pregnancy, postpartum, and the early parenting years is a core focus of Sarah’s work. She has specialized training in perinatal mental health including infertility, grief and loss, birth trauma and perinatal anxiety and depression. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the transition into parenthood, you deserve support that truly understands this season of life. ​