Sara has been with First Step Services since August 2008 where she began as a master’s level intern and is now full time Counselor/Therapist. She received Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development, and Sociology with a concentration in Family Development from Appalachian State University in May 2005.

Sara continued her education, and received a Master’s degree in Community Counseling with an emphasis in Addictions Counseling in December 2008. As an intern, Sara gained experience working with substance abuse at a women's therapeutic community located in Western North Carolina. Sara is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. She is also registered with the National Board of Certified Counselors and is a National Certified Counselor.

Sara is in the process of registering with the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors in order to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Sara is one of our Intensive Outpatient Patient Program counselors and provides substance abuse assessments, group and individual counseling. Sara incorporates a Person Centered approach as well as a Systems Theory approach to substance abuse treatment and utilizes various expressive arts techniques.

Sara has lived in North Carolina her entire life. She was raised in Sanford, North Carolina, and lived in Boone, North Carolina for eight years before she moved to Raleigh, North Carolina.