Sarah Parnell, MSW, LSW

Sarah Parnell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master’s in Social Work from Indiana University Bloomington. She is a provisionally licensed social worker with clinical experience in community mental health settings, as well as experience within the school system and afterschool programs serving children from various backgrounds. While working in the afterschool program, Sarah served as a point of contact for children in distress, often utilizing de-escalation tactics, observation, and active listening to redirect children in crisis. She is passionate about helping children in crisis and has led trainings on de-escalation for her coworkers in non-clinical settings. Sarah has experience working with children experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as children with ADHD and Autism.

Sarah utilizes a person-centered approach and believes that each client is unique and deserves treatment tailored to their specific needs. She is skilled at recognizing a client’s strengths and frequently refers to them in session, while also incorporating other modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness. Additionally, Sarah uses play and art in sessions, as these methods often allow children to process their emotions comfortably and safely.

“I desire to be a therapist that my clients can count on—someone they feel safe with and safely challenged by. I aim to uplift and advocate for each client that I meet, while also helping them learn skills to cope and flourish every day.”