Online IFS Therapy for Complex Trauma, ADHD & Life Transitions

Neurodivergent & LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy for What’s Ready to Be Released & What’s Ready to Emerge

“There is light in darkness, you just have to find it.”

- bell hooks

What We Can Work Through Together

  • Therapy for navigating executive dysfunction, sensory overwhelm, and the exhaustion of masking. I’ll help you understand your needs, develop practical strategies that work with your brain, and navigate life in ways that feel more affirming for your neurotype.

  • Therapy for when your mind won’t slow down, emotions feel overwhelming, or it’s hard to feel grounded in your body. Together, we’ll explore what’s beneath these experiences and develop tools to help you regulate your emotions, find calm in your mind and body, and feel more at ease in your everyday life.

  • Burnout looks different for everyone. For some, it shows up as an increase in exhaustion, even after ample rest. For others, it may look like an increase in irritability or a sense of having “run out of gas.” However burnout looks like for you, I can help you reconnect with your needs, sort out necessary adjustments, and find more sustainable ways to care for yourself long-term.

  • For the people who constantly put the needs of others’ before their own. For the people who struggle to say “no” (even when they want to), or who chronically apologize because they feel responsible for the feelings of others. People pleasing can be unlearned without requiring you to abandon your kindness or your values. Together, we can help you recognize these patterns of self-abandonment, get clearer on your own needs, and learn how to set boundaries while still being a nice and generous person.

  • Did you grow up feeling misunderstood, have your needs repeatedly dismissed, or learn to stay on guard to protect yourself? The effects of long-term stress and painful relationships can follow us into adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves and relate to others. I can help you make sense of these patterns, process past experiences at your own pace, and build a greater sense of safety and trust in yourself and your relationships.

  • Questioning your gender, exploring your identity, or figuring out what feels authentic to you? You deserve space to explore without the pressure to label yourself or to have all the answers. Together, we’ll make room for curiosity, work through any shame or uncertainty, and help you feel more confident embracing who you are.

  • Questioning your sexuality can feel really intimidating, especially when there’s shame, societal expectations, or trauma involved. Whether you’re feeling excited to question and try new things, or you’re feeling pressure around sharing this with friends and family, I’m here to help. I offer a supportive, judgment-free space so you can build a more curious, accepting, and authentic relationship with your sexuality.

  • Do you find yourself replaying conversations, fixating on mistakes, or feeling like no matter how hard you try, you’re never quite enough? Rather than fighting your inner critic or pretending it isn’t there, I’ll help you get to know it with curiosity and face your shame with courage and compassion. Over time, these patterns can soften, making room for greater self-acceptance and lasting change.

  • You may be questioning long-held beliefs, exploring what spirituality means to you now, or searching for a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. I offer a supportive space to get curious, work through conflicting beliefs or past experiences, and explore what feels authentic to you without any pressure to follow a particular path.

  • Do you find it hard to express your needs, navigate conflict, or feel understood by friends, family, or partner(s)? Are you struggling with dating, unsure of what you’re looking for or what to share with new people? I can help you make sense of these experiences, adjust your approaches in these relationships, and communicate more confidently, even in the presence of conflict.

  • Navigating a major life change can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty, grief, and growing pains. Whether you’re entering a new chapter, reevaluating who you are, or letting go of what no longer fits, I can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing, reconnect with what matters to you, and find your footing as you move forward.

While I specialize in supporting neurodivergent, highly sensitive, and LGBTQ+ adults, I also welcome anyone who feels my approach may be a good fit for them.

Sara Godinez, IFS Therapist in Washington State

Hello! I’m Sara.

I’m a relational therapist who helps people heal from complex trauma, release shame, and expand their lives in ways that feel meaningful and authentic to them.

I know firsthand how hard it can be to exist when your inner dialogue is full of shame, criticism, and neurodivergent chaos. My own therapy journey showed me the power of being unconditionally supported as I learned to face these parts of myself with compassion rather than judgment. In fact, it was that experience that inspired me to do this work: to offer others the same kind of space to feel understood, so they could make sense of themselves and discover that life can feel different.

Trained in IFS, ACT, Somatic Embodiment, and the Flash Technique, my approach is relational, holistic, and focused on helping you nurture your own healing power. I’m here to help you access, build upon, and trust that power.

If you’re ready to trust yourself more fully, break free from old patterns, and make meaningful changes in your life, I’m here to help you discover what’s possible.

Get to know me

My Therapeutic Toolkit:

  • IFS Therapy (also known as “parts work”) is an experiential, evidence-based modality that provides a deeper, more holistic way of relating to yourself.

    IFS is based on the understanding that we all have different parts within us at any given time. These “internal systems” include protective parts that try to manage, control, or avoid pain, and younger parts that carry hurt, fear, or unmet needs.

    Rather than viewing these parts as problems to eliminate or override, we'll approach them with curiosity and compassion, strengthening your sense of capability and self-trust.

    Through the use of IFS, I'll help you engage with your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors from a place of calm so that you feel more confident and courageous while facing life's challenges.

    Learn more here.

  • ACT is an evidence-based approach to dealing with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences so that you can live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

    Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable emotions, ACT helps you develop a different relationship with them, making space for what you’re feeling while learning to respond in ways that reflect what matters most to you.

    Together, we’ll use ACT to explore your values, build greater emotional flexibility, and identify small, meaningful steps toward the life you want to live.

    Click here to learn more.

  • Originating as part of the preparation phase of EMDR, the Flash Technique is a gentle, brief, and rapid approach to processing trauma.

    Unlike EMDR, Flash does not require you to spend a long time preparing or repeatedly talking through the details of traumatic events. You remain in control throughout the process, and we move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

    Flash is especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed by traumatic memories, or who have felt stuck, avoidant, or disconnected when trying to work with them. It can provide a gentle way of processing distressing memories, sensations, and emotions, all while honoring one’s nervous system.

    Click here to learn more.