Making fertility journeys a little less lonely.
My name is Sarah Gibson. I am a mother, stepmother, wife, sister, daughter. I originally believed in the Hollywood version of fertility, where people became pregnant because they wanted to, or accidentally. My own journey has led me through recurrent miscarriages, genetic discoveries, and the realization that fertility journeys can be unimaginably more challenging than one might envision. It can be surprisingly lonely not knowing others who have struggled, or stigma preventing loved ones from sharing their own stories of fertility challenges.
I came to the work of being a couples therapist in a circuitous route. I went to undergrad for business and came out a theatre major. The connection between a group of people creating art together was an incredible lure for me. It is the pursuit of connection which led me to serve as an education volunteer in the Peace Corps-Albania (‘08-’10), where the intersection of community, connection, and theatre all met on a grander scale, offering me lessons in cultural humility and belonging. It is connection that had me train in drama therapy until the pandemic put everything in the virtual realm, and it is connection which draws me to couples therapy still, longing to support two people in healing ruptures to their own connection.
I believe in clinical rigor, and working to expand and deepen my own knowledge of best therapy practices. I am currently in the final stage of certification as an Emotionally Focused Couple Therapist, which requires supervision and taped sessions to ensure fidelity to the model. In addition, I supplement with trainings in multiracial couples work, neurodiversity, and broadening my understanding of gender and sexual differences.
There is an innate humility in therapy, as no one will ever know you better than you.
I know that I come to the table not knowing your specific experience and what led you to the therapy room. Yet, I will be boundlessly curious about you, and wish to understand you better.
Education
- Portland State University, 2007, BA in Theatre
- Portland State University, 2014, MSW
Seattle Center for EFT: Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy, 2021 - Certified in Perinatal Mental Health via Postpartum Support International, 2023
- Seattle Center for EFT: Core Skills Advanced Training, 2024
Licensure
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Oregon L12462
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker – California 82981
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker – Washington LW61186792
