Contact Information
Location: Orland Park & Telehealth (Illinois, Indiana)
Saren’sTake on Treatment
“I believe that the most significant relationship that you are ever going to have is the relationship with yourself. It is a relationship that needs, time, energy and commitment, and often is one of the most overlooked areas in one’s life. Fear, anxiety and other responsibilities frequently take priority, making you the lowest rung on the ladder. By focusing on oneself through therapy, you are able to gain awareness of emotions, unhelpful thoughts, unhealthy behaviors and areas of needed growth. Through such insight, I believe people can become a better version of themselves and subsequently more adept at all the roles that they take on in daily life.”
Approach to Therapy
Saren believes that the therapeutic relationship is of foremost importance and works to establish a safe space in which trust and collaboration is fostered in order to develop purposeful change. Saren tailors her approach to each person's unique needs, to provide support and assistance in an open and non-judgmental environment. Attention to one’s existing strengths and abilities can help a client hone skills that may be used more successfully in some areas to increase efficacy in areas they may be struggling with. Through thoughtful assessment and client partnership, treatment goals are developed to establish structure, expectations and benchmarks of success. By incorporating a client's support system, including partner, family or significant individuals, a treatment team can be established to more effectively promote change and accountability. Saren’s goals for her clients is to learn, develop and implement the necessary skills and tools to effectively reduce symptom prevalence, bolster individual confidence and enhance overall functioning.
Experience and Training
Saren received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colorado College and earned her Masters of Education in community counseling at DePaul University. Saren completed her internship at Children’s Home + Aid, providing psychotherapy to children, parents and families involved in the child welfare and foster care system. Saren remained in child welfare for eight years where she worked with clients experiencing symptoms related to complex trauma, attachment issues, abuse, neglect, depression and anxiety. Saren later transitioned to private practice work where she conducted individual and couples therapy, working with adolescents, young adults, adults and partners struggling to connect. Currently at The OCD & Anxiety Center, she specializes in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Based Therapy to treat children, teens and adults struggling with anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and related disorders. Using strengths-based practices and evidence-based treatments, Saren has been trained and is experienced in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Solution Focused treatments to address client’s multifaceted needs and help them learn and grow in a meaningful way. She is a member of the International OCD Foundation and The Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
More About Saren
Originally from Colorado, Saren has resided in Illinois for over 15 years and calls the south suburbs home. In her free time, Saren enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking and exercise and cooking.
