Olive Branch Wellness
In a safe space, resilience grows.
Individual therapy for adults navigating anxiety, trauma, fertility challenges, chronic pain and grief. Thoughtful, unhurried, and grounded in evidence-based care that honors the mind-body connection.
About
Sarah Mountain, PhD, LMSW
You are not alone. You are not alone in your thoughts or your feelings, but when you're feeling sad, anxious, depressed or overwhelmed, it's easy to feel alone. I want to reassure you that you're not alone, you're human.
I believe that therapy is a way to honor the human experience and gain a better understanding of ourselves. We will work together to explore your experience and feelings in a space of mindful compassion and completely free of judgement. I'll hold a safe space for you to process and navigate your emotions and offer the necessary support and tools to do so.
Through my personal experience in these areas, I connect most deeply with those seeking support with motherhood and pregnancy loss, perfectionism, depression, grief and loss, anxiety, familial issues, boundary setting, working on your goals, partner relationships and workplace burnout. I have learned a great deal about resiliency, empowerment, the mind-body connection, mindfulness and self-compassion, and work to bring these methods into our time together.
Through my certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), I work with individuals who experience chronic pain, aiming to heal through a greater understanding of the mind-body connection. This unique practice involves guided meditation in addition to talk therapy.
Professionally, I have been practicing social work since 2006 and completed my Ph.D. in 2021. My doctoral work focused on resiliency and the power of possible selves; what we can achieve in life when we have the right support system in place.
Using my personal and professional experiences, we will cultivate a space where we can build on your strengths and honor your experience. I look forward to taking this journey with you.
Credentials
- PhD, Social Work — Wayne State University
Dissertation: "Resiliency in Adolescents, Risk-Taking Behaviors and Protective Factors: Examining the Relationship Among African American Adolescents in Chicago's Southside" - M.S.W., Social Work — University of Michigan
- B.A., Women's Studies — University of Michigan
- Licensed Masters of Social Work (LMSW), State of Michigan
Publications
- A Review of Sexual Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behaviors Among South Korean Early Adolescents: Application of the Ecological FrameworkJournal of Social Service Research, 2016
- Reasons for fighting among violent female adolescents: a qualitative investigation from an urban, midwestern communitySocial work in public health, April 2016
- Suicidal ideation and attempts among women seeking treatment for substance use and traumaHealth and Social Work, May 2018
- Identifying Protective Factors in the Association Between Peer Victimization and Internalizing Symptoms of African American Adolescents in Four Chicago's Southside NeighborhoodsUniversity of Nebraska, March 2021
Areas of Treatment
What we can work on together
Anxiety & Depression
We'll work together to understand these experiences and build resilience, so you can move forward with greater ease and self-compassion.
Trauma & PTSD
Gentle, paced trauma work using somatic-informed approaches.
Grief & Loss
Navigating the complex emotions that come with loss. Support through every stage of your grief journey.
Burnout & Overwhelm
Reconnecting with energy, meaning, and rest after long stretches of depletion.
Life Transitions
Career change, divorce, empty nest, caregiving, and the identity shifts they bring.
Perinatal Mental Health
Fertility, pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and early parenthood.
Chronic Physical Pain
Chronic psychosomatic pain management through meditation, body scans and mind-body connection work.
ADHD and Neurodivergence
Support for adults with ADHD and those with neurodivergent partners or children. Honoring neurodivergent strengths while building resilience and self-compassion.
FAQ
Common questions
Do you take insurance?
Yes! I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance in Michigan and offer private pay options. If you don't have Blue Cross Blue Shield, your insurance may still cover our therapy sessions if you submit a superbill for reimbursement. Just let me know and I can provide you with a monthly superbill. However, you will be charged the private pay rate and it is the client's responsibility to work with their insurance for reimbursement.
How does virtual therapy work?
Virtual therapy sessions use a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. All you need is a laptop or phone with a working camera on your device. Whether you're calling from home, your office, or even your car, online therapy is designed to support you wherever you are—no traffic or time spent commuting! You'll receive the telehealth link prior to our sessions so you can log in easily.
How often do we meet?
In the beginning, we typically meet weekly to establish our therapeutic relationship. Most of my clients continue meeting weekly, though I also work with clients who prefer twice-weekly sessions or every-other-week schedules. Weekly therapy sessions provide consistent support as we build rapport. Truly, the frequency is determined entirely by you, your schedule, and your therapy goals.
How long should I expect to be in therapy?
That's entirely up to you. Some people come to therapy to navigate a big life transition or to get support during a crisis, others view therapy as mental health maintenance, the same way you might regularly get your hair cut or nails done, therapy can offer ongoing support. Whether you're here for the short term or the long term, you determine if and when you terminate therapy.
Will we be the right match?
I truly believe there's nothing more important than finding the right therapist for you. This is why I suggest we have a short intro call before the intake session. It can be awkward to talk about hard things with a stranger. I've found it can take about 4 sessions for you and I to get to know each other and build a rapport.
What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?
Pain Reprocessing Therapy is a neuroscience-informed approach that helps people overcome chronic physical pain by retraining how the brain processes pain signals. Through a combination of pain education, cognitive work, and gradual exposure to activities, PRT helps your nervous system learn that pain signals no longer indicate danger, allowing you to reclaim your life. PRT is particularly effective for conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and other chronic pain syndromes.
Who are you?
Yes, therapy is 100% about you and your journey, but I think it's normal and important to be curious about who you're working with! I am a psychotherapist and it is truly my dream job. I'm so grateful and humbled that every day, people share their lives, struggles and successes with me. I'm a mom of three and I've been married for over 20 years. I've experienced pregnancy loss, toddler tantrums and little kid to teen to young adulthood transitions. When I'm not wearing my mom or therapist hats, I'm involved in my local school district, love to read and knit and care for my many rescue animals. I hold a PhD in Social Work from Wayne State University and my LMSW licensure in Michigan.
Contact
Reach out
Fill out the form or give me a call to request a free consultation
Consultations are free and last about twenty minutes. Share a little about what you're looking for and I'll respond within two business days.
- sarah@olivebranchwellness.co (there's no "m" on the end)
- Phone
- 248.971.0747 (call or text)
- Sessions
- Telehealth only — available to clients across Michigan
Olive Branch Wellness accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and private pay clients.