Sara Ellison
PhD LPC ACS

 

I provide individual therapy to adults and adolescents experiencing a variety of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, perfectionism, self-harm, suicidality, and issues related to trauma and overcontrol. I am guided by the philosophy that all individuals have the intrinsic capacity for resilience and healing, and meet clients with warmth, authenticity, and empathy to develop a plan of treatment based on their specific needs and unique strengths.

My approach to counseling is rooted in the belief that humans are highly adaptive, and that many of our present-day challenges were once solutions to even worse suffering.

I focus on creating a safe space where clients can develop skills and self-knowledge to activate growth and positive change. I have experience working in residential and outpatient settings, and have specialized training in RO-DBT, EMDR, and counseling transgender and gender diverse clients.

Many people come to therapy experiencing conflict, suffering, or stagnation. If you are seeking change and would like more information on how we may work together, please reach out to schedule a consultation.

 
 

Credentials

  • Licensed as an Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia (2021-present)

  • Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) from the Board Of Certified Counselors (NBCC) #5330 (2024-present)

  • National Counselor Certification (NCC) from the Board Of Certified Counselors (NBCC) #1585481 (2021-present)

Training

  • Intensive Training

  • Highlighted One Day Trainings

    • Special Topics in IFS Therapy: The Presence of the Therapist, Polarizations, Extreme Protectors, and the Cycle of Addiction (2023)

    • Essential Competencies to Work with Transgender/Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents (2022)

    • The Ethics of TeleMental Health with Dr. Becky Beaton-York (2020)

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Clinical Practice (2020)

    • Competent Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients (2019)

    • An Introduction to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model: Theory and Practice (2019)

Clinical Experience

  • Clinical Training Supervisor at Active Resilience Counseling & Coaching (2024-present)

  • Clinical Therapist at Active Resilience Counseling & Coaching (2024-present)

  • Clinical Fellow at Active Resilience Counseling & Coaching (2022-2024)

  • Skyland Trail, nationally recognized psychiatric treatment organization serving adults (Clinical Intern, 2020-2021)

  • The Extension, community supported non-profit providing long-term residential treatment to individuals experiencing homelessness (Group Counselor, 2020-2021)

Professional Leadership

  • International Association of Resilience & Trauma Counseling

    • Chair, Graduate Student Committee (2022-2023)

    • Vice-Chair, Graduate Student Committee (2021-2022)

Education

  • Doctorate (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision from Auburn University (2024)

    • Dissertation: The role of self-control in the experiences, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals related to self-injury

  • Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University (2021)

Clinical Supervision Training

  • COUN8540 Supervision Theories (Auburn University)

  • COUN8910 Supervision Practicum (Auburn University)

  • Provided over 200 hours of supervision to master’s-level students in their clinical practicum (Auburn University and University of West Georgia)

  • Provided supervision training to clinical internship site supervisors (Auburn University)

Teaching and Research Experience

  • Teaching Experience

    • Auburn University, department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling

      • Adjunct Professor (Fall 2024-present)

      • Graduate Lecturer (2021-present)

    • University of West Georgia, department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Speech-Language Pathology

      • Part-time Faculty (Spring 2024-present)

      • Graduate Lecturer (Fall 2023)

  • Research Experience

    • Publications

      • Ellison, S. E., Tierney, P., & Taylor, M. (2024). A target model for social justice supervision. Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, 6(3).

      • Ellison, S. E., Tyler, J. M., & Tuttle, M. (2024). Beyond the standards: A qualitative analysis of perfectionism among master’s-level counseling students. Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, 6(3).

      • Ricks, L., Tuttle, M., & Ellison, S. E. (2022). Child abuse reporting: Understanding factors impacting veteran school counselors. The Professional Counselor, 12(2), 149-166.

      • Tyler, J. M., Tuttle, M., Naviaux, M., & Ellison, S. (2022). The experiences of collegiality by early-career counselor educators. Journal of Counselor Supervision and Preparation, 15(2).

    • Selected Presentations

      • Tyler, J. M., & Ellison, S. (2024, November). Providing ethical and clinical guidance: Equipping CITs for effective work with chronically at-risk clients. 3-hour pre-conference presentation invited to the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Dallas, TX, United States.

      • Ellison, S., Whisenhunt, J., Meyer, J., & Tyler, J. M. (2024, June). The role of self-control in experiences, attitudes, and behaviors related to nonsuicidal self-injury: A grounded theory analysis. Presented at the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) Conference, Toronto, Canada.

      • Whisenhunt, J., & Ellison, S. (2024, June). Using mindfulness with clients who self-injure within the context of over- and under-controlled profiles. Presented at the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) Conference, Toronto, Canada.

      • Ellison, S., Shaw, E., & Estes, R. (2023, October). Adapting RO DBT concepts in supervision to alleviate perfectionism and imposter syndrome. Presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Denver, CO, United States.

      • Ellison, S., & Tyler, J. (2023, October). Counseling students’ experiences of perfectionism within graduate training: Implications for supervisors and counselor educators. Presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Denver, CO, United States.

      • Tierney, P., & Ellison, S. (2023, March). The “Americas” of Charlie Brown and Childish Gambino: A critical race theory comparison. Presented at the American Counseling Association Conference, Toronto, Canada.