Dr. Sarah Koerner is a licensed clinical psychologist with a passion for helping adults overcome life’s challenging obstacles and emotional hurdles. With 18 years of experience in the field of mental health care, she has established herself as a clinician committed to supporting clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and other significant mental health concerns.
Specializations
Older Adults
LGBTQIA+
Women’s Issues
Education and Training
Dr. Koerner earned her doctorate in 2010 from Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology. Two highlights of Dr. Koerner’s career have been working at Father Joe’s Villages and working in assisted living environments with older adults. Dr. Koerner had the honor of serving as the Director of Behavioral Health Services for 7 years at Father Joe’s Villages. There she worked to help clients who had experienced severe trauma to find safety, connection, and purpose. Dr. Koerner’s passion for geropsychology and working with older adults began in graduate school, and she has developed expertise in helping older adults and their families with life transitions, stress related to chronic medical issues, and the isolation that sometimes occurs as we get older.
Clinical Practice and Philosophy
Dr. Koerner’s approach to therapy is fundamentally collaborative and flexible, carefully adapting to each individual’s specific circumstances, personal challenges, and therapeutic goals. She believes clients’ sense of safety, belonging, and mental health is impacted not only by their personal experiences but also their experiences living within systematic inequality. Her therapy style often weaves in humor and metaphor to gently help clients see patterns and life events from a different angle. Her practice is based on a trauma-informed, client-affirming philosophy that acknowledges each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. With this awareness, she creates a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, process their emotions, and work towards positive change at their own pace in their own way.
Treatment Modalities
Dr. Koerner employs an intersectionality-informed, culturally responsive approach to care. She has certifications in several specialized treatment modalities to include:
**Solution-Focused Therapy** – A goal-directed collaborative approach to psychotherapeutic change
**EMDR** (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – A powerful approach for processing trauma and difficult memories
**CBT** (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – Evidence-based treatment designed to target and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors
**DBT** (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) – A skills-based approach for managing emotional dysregulation and improving communication in relationships
Whether you’re facing persistent anxiety, recurring depression, constant overwhelm, or other mental health challenges that impact your daily life, Dr. Koerner is ready to help you get unstuck. Her compassionate approach, extensive experience, and genuine commitment to client well-being make her an ideal partner in your journey towards improved mental health and overall wellness.