Sara Blackwood, MA, PLPC, PCA, NCC is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) in Missouri and a Professional Counselor Associate (PCA) in Oregon, currently accepting new clients at Roots Renewal Counseling. She works with adults and older teens experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and PTSD, identity concerns, Autism, ADHD, and other complex mental health concerns. Sara provides telehealth services to clients in both Missouri and Oregon.

Sara earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in April 2024. During her graduate training, she interned at Centerpointe Hospital, where she worked with adolescents and adults in acute mental health stabilization settings. This experience provided her with opportunities to support individuals navigating a wide range of concerns, including Autism, ADHD, emotional and behavioral challenges, trauma, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), anxiety, depression, and dual diagnoses.

Sara’s clinical focus includes Autism and neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, OCD, self-esteem, identity development, PTSD, and trauma. She has a particular interest in understanding the impact of trauma on brain development and helping clients find effective and individualized ways to heal from complex trauma.

Sara integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches into her work. She is also currently training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Sara collaborates with clients to recognize and build upon their existing strengths while developing strategies for emotional regulation, processing difficult experiences, and navigating periods of overwhelm or sensory overload.

An important part of Sara’s work is helping clients understand and challenge patterns in their lives and relationships that may contribute to anxiety, depression, or emotional distress. Her approach is collaborative and individualized, recognizing that each client brings their own experiences, identities, strengths, and needs to the therapeutic process.

As a queer therapist and advocate for LGBTQIA+ and sex-positive communities, Sara is committed to providing an affirming and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment. Her clinical work includes supporting LGBTQIA+ clients and individuals exploring identity, relationships, and other aspects of their lived experiences.

Prior to becoming a mental health counselor, Sara earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri in 2003 and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Webster University in 2007. She spent more than 15 years working in education, including working with young people with Autism and supporting students experiencing emotional regulation challenges, trauma, and complex diagnoses. These experiences ultimately led Sara to pursue a career in mental health counseling.

Sara continues to build upon her extensive background in education, neurodivergence, and mental health as she grows in her counseling career under the supervision of Stephanie Stockham-Ronollo.

Her contact information is as follows: phone, 314-967-3972, email: [email protected] and fax: 314-787-9652.

Sara is currently serving clients in Missouri and Oregon.

She accepts Aetna and Cigna insurance plans along with cash payments. In addition, she is able to accept Regence/BCBS plans for those that are residing in Oregon.