Sara Barrera, MA, LCSW, PMH-C – Staff Psychotherapist & Clinical Director

(she/her/hers)

My background:

I have extensive experience and specialized training working with women and families through various stages across the lifespan. I have worked in various settings such as healthcare, early childhood, violence prevention, refugee and immigrant services, and community mental health. For most of my career I have managed a perinatal and parenting support program for parents and families providing counseling and psychoeducation on maternal health, reproductive justice, parent-child attachment, and early childhood development.

Why I’m a Therapist:

Pregnancy and parenting are life-changing humbling experiences that come with as many challenges as there are rewards. Through my own pregnancy and parenting journey, I understand the impact of our own histories, the value of support systems, and the importance of coping skills to develop resiliency. My aim is to create a warm and welcoming environment for you to share your story through compassion and curiosity, and to rediscover your strengths that will enable you to overcome your challenges. 

Education & Training:

I am a bicultural/bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with Masters Degrees in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University and Women’s and Gender Studies from Loyola University, and an undergraduate degree in Spanish. I have completed advanced training in perinatal mental health as a Certified Perinatal Mental Health clinician (PMH-C), as well as EMDR therapy training for perinatal mental health practitioners. Additionally, I have received specialized training as a birth doula and a lactation counselor.

Areas of Specialization:

My areas of specialization are in transition and adjustment to life changes, prenatal and parental anxiety, depression, parent-child attachment issues, grief and pregnancy loss, perinatal trauma, perinatal mood disorders, and women’s issues across the lifespan.