Sarabeth Butts, MA, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
(253) 215-4536 | sarabethb@tacomachristiancounseling.com
Each of us experiences times in our lives when pain, stress, confusion, or despair overwhelms and threatens to consume us, or when we find ourselves stuck in patterns that we can’t seem to escape, desiring change but unable to figure out where to begin. It takes tremendous courage to admit our need for help, and even more so, to ask for that help. And yet, this is often where healing begins – when we allow another person to come alongside us, help us to see what we can’t see, and offer a sense of hope for us when hope seems absent. It would be my honor to join you wherever you are in your journey toward greater emotional, relational, and spiritual health and freedom
Puyallup – Sun, Mon, Wed & Thu
Clients generally come in to counseling with a particular issue that is causing them to feel overwhelmed in one way or another. One of my roles as your counselor is to assist you in identifying the root cause of your struggle, what you would like to change, and potential strategies for coping or overcoming. It would be my deep joy and honor to sit with you as you seek to navigate all that it means to be human, to be with you in your stories of deepest pain, and to imagine, together, how life could be different.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
I believe that long-lasting healing often requires more than a surface-level approach; it requires a deeper dive into the complexities of one’s story. My overarching goal for you is that you will develop a greater awareness of how you have been shaped and impacted by past relationships and experiences of harm, in order that you may move forward in a more life-giving relationship with God, with yourself, and with others.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
My first priority is to provide you with a safe, judgment-free environment where you feel welcome and can come as you are. I aim to build an authentic and trusting relationship with my clients so they feel comfortable to bring even the messiest parts of themselves. Generally, I take a client-led approach, but will provide structure and focus to the session when helpful and appropriate.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
A Christian approach to counseling provides care for one’s spiritual health, in addition to mental and emotional health. It invites God to join our work together, and it allows for exploration of spiritual lies we have come to believe, and of how these might be connected to our pain and struggle. It allows for a rediscovery of who God is, who you are to God, and what it means for you to live into the fullness of who God created you to be. With that said, everyone is welcome in my office, regardless of where they are on their faith journey. I wholeheartedly welcome those who have doubts or questions about God, perhaps anger or disbelief, and those who have experienced spiritual harm. I invite you to come as you are.
Qualifications & Experience
I have a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University. In my clinical internship, I worked with children and teens with a wide variety of needs and diagnoses, as well as with their parents.
My Call to Christian Counseling
I have always had a heart for those who are hurting or struggling in some way, and I am also drawn to stories of healing and hope. For several years I taught piano privately as I cared for my young children. However, as my youngest child was nearing school age, I began to feel a sense of restlessness and a longing to pursue this passion for caring for those who are “brokenhearted and crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). The further I moved down the path of pursuing a career in counseling, the more confirmation I received that this was the path God had for me.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
My husband and I have been married for about 22 years. We have four wonderfully unique kids who challenge us, keep us busy, and bring us so much joy. In my free time I enjoy reading, spending time outdoors, gardening, making music, and watching my kids enjoy their various activities.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- Aging and Geriatric Issues
- Anxiety
- Counseling for Children
- Counseling for Teens
- Codependency
- Depression
- Family Counseling
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Relationship Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma, Complex Trauma
- Women’s Issues
Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural and common emotion and can present itself in a variety of ways. I like to think of anxiety as the body’s warning system, alerting us to perceived danger based on past experiences. Many people attempt to cope with their anxiety by dismissing it, numbing it, or trying to “handle” it on their own, only to find that those attempts ultimately increase the anxiety they feel. My primary approach to treating anxiety is to work together to identify and process the underlying fear or inner conflicts that are feeding the anxiety and maintaining its grip on you, as well as to build coping skills for managing anxiety as it arises.
Grief and Loss
Grief occurs as a response to any loss, affecting all of us at various times in our lives. The process of grieving is unique to the situation and the person, and can often be layered and complex. Whether you are grieving a loss of community, identity, ability, a season of life, an intimate relationship, the loss of a loved one, or any other loss, I can assist you as you move through the grieving process. The goal will not be to simply “get over” the loss, but to come to a point of acceptance and renewed hope, and to learn to integrate the loss into life moving forward.
Trauma
Trauma comes in many forms. It is most commonly understood as a singular event that causes extreme distress and forces the victim into a fight, flight, or freeze response. Trauma can also be of the “complex” variety, where there has been ongoing or repeated trauma, often with a relational component, such as with childhood abuse or neglect. The potential impacts of trauma are numerous, can feel overwhelming and debilitating, and can remain with us even long after the trauma has passed. Whether your experience of trauma was singular or ongoing, occurred recently or long ago, there is hope, and counseling can help. Together, and at your pace, we will examine the emotions connected to your trauma, the strategies that allowed you to survive (physically or emotionally), which of those strategies continue to serve you, and which ones may now be a hindrance to your well-being.
Counseling for Children and Adolescents
I specialize in counseling children ages 5 and older, as well as teens, and very much enjoy my work with these age groups. Depending on the age and needs of your child or teenager, I will incorporate play therapy, art therapy, and traditional talk therapy approaches in order to work toward the healing that is needed. The bulk of these sessions will be spent individually with the child, however, I often incorporate time with parents and caregivers in order to address the family system, and the ways in which the family could better support the child. Regardless of the symptoms and struggles your child or teen is facing, I look forward to creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere where they can begin to heal and grow.
Availability (by office location):
- Puyallup – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 3.7% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.
