ABOUT

My name is Sarah Lawley Chernick and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 115162). I have experience working with a variety of topics including disordered eating, body image, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, chronic health issues, and more. I take a holistic approach in therapy and believe it is very important to look at all aspects of our lives when we are seeking to reach optimal healing.
I utilize many evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Response and Prevention (ERP) Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am also a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist and find this modality incredibly helpful in working through past traumas and areas of our lives that we may feel “stuck”. My approach incorporates elements of mindfulness and positive psychology.

I truly believe that we all have the capacity to heal from our past and pave the way for desired changes in our future. I provide a collaborative, non-judgmental stance in therapy. Come as you are. Together we will examine all aspects of your current reality, what you would like your future reality to look like, and how we can work together to get you there. I feel that it is important for my clients to know a little bit about who I am, because I know that it can sometimes feel odd sharing very personal information with a stranger. When I am not working, I enjoy activities such as hiking, reading, and painting. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher so meditation and yoga are a very big part of my life. I also LOVE cooking, baking, and any type of fun in the kitchen! I have been living in San Diego for a few years and I plan to never leave, as it has always been my dream to live in this beautiful sunny city (and I am NOT a fan of the rain! haha). I have a cat that thinks she is a dog, whom follows me around and drives me crazy but I love her and I wouldn’t have it any other way. While I believe that the healing work we do in sessions can be very serious and I definitely do not take it lightly, I do like to incorporate some humor and lightness into our sessions when appropriate. I bring my authentic self to sessions and I want my clients to feel like they can do the same.

I believe that it is essential to find a therapist that you feel you can connect and work well with. I offer a free 15 minute consultation in which we can discuss your current struggles and see if we may be a good fit. If you feel that beginning therapy with me is something you may be interested in, please reach out to schedule your consultation. We always have the potential to heal; I would be honored to have the opportunity to walk alongside you in your journey and help you do just that.