1. Sara B. Feley​, ​MA
1884 NE Monroe, Bend, OR 97702
sbfeley@gmail.com​, ​ (517) 230-5927
CAREER GOALS
To continue my work of the past ten years, counseling children and their parents, individuals, couples and
adolescents who struggle with grief and loss, existential crisis, crisis situations general anxiety and depression.
Maintain an open heart and meet each individual and system with integrity, dignity and reverence. I value
continued professional growth in the counseling field through my work as a therapist and through further
training. I am confident in my ability to assess client needs with immediacy and efficacy, to create healthy
boundaries with clients while building rapport, and to assist in creating a stronger internal structure and
self-acceptance. I incorporate mindfulness with each shared therapeutic moment. I strive to work diligently and
as a team player.
EDUCATION
January 2010- May 2012
MA, MFT in Integral Counseling Psychology
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA
This program combines rigorous academics and experiential class exercises to teach therapeutic methods from a
transpersonal perspective, drawing from concepts in Western psychology and Eastern philosophy.
Weekly Gestalt Supervision with Lu Grey, leader in Modern Gestalt Therapy
Lu Grey is Director of the Bay Area Gestalt Institute and a leading Gestalt therapist in the San Francisco area.
February 2014-July 2014
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Tree, San Francisco, CA
This program trained me to understand and teach physical and psychological modalities of relaxation and
psychological healing through the practice of yoga.
September 2001- May 2005
B.A. in Inter-disciplinary Study of Social Science, International Development, and French​,
Michigan State University​, East Lansing, MI
Liberal Arts program including Semester Study programs in Thailand and Washington, D.C.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
January 2016- Present
Outreach and Education Coordinator: Highmark Caring Place, Pittsburgh, PA
Our mission is to educate the public about the needs of grieving children. We provide programs that address the
needs of grieving children and we equip the community to support children who have experienced the death of
an important person in their lives. Responsibilities include training volunteers,, children, families and
community partners about the impact of grief at different developmental stages, and the healing process. Each
child teaches us about their personal grief. Each story is heard, and honored. I speak at different events,
trainings and participate in programmatic groups. I partner with community members to join in our family
program, school program and/or volunteer. I raise funds for Highmark Caring Place benefiting families in ​need.
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2. Runs groups of all ages, infants to adults in a peer support model. Speaks at community engagements about
children and grief, self-care and mindfulness.
March 2015-November 2015
Therapist: New Leaf Academy, Bend, OR
Responsibilities include Individual, Group, and Family Systems Therapy for 11-17 year old girls. I assessed
clients and adjusted treatment plans as clients’ needs emerged. I used elements of Gestalt, Dialectical
Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral, Nature Based, Attachment Based Therapies and Mindfulness Therapies. I
worked with teens who struggled with substance abuse issues, personality disorders, attachment struggles, and
low self-esteem. I facilitated growth in the family that I was working with to provide a more secure space for
the teen to come home to. I was responsible for leading workshops, retreats, and for participation in weekly
treatment team meetings. I worked with a team, followed through on paperwork and sought supervision when
necessary.
July 2009-Present
Transition Coach and Mentor
In my private practice, I provide distance clients, both adolescent and adult, with guidance in creating the life
that they desire. I work with high functioning individuals who struggle with personality quirks, existential
crisis, and desire to have deeper and more meaningful relationships with those around them. Some struggle with
substance abuse issues, relational misgivings and communication difficulty. Goals are to develop self esteem
and resilience through life changes. Mainstays of my treatment approach include empathy, consistency,
accountability, and creation of rapport to develop clients’ sense of safety and trust.
September 2013-August 2014
Therapist: Bay Area Gestalt Institute, San Francisco, CA
I developed a psychotherapy practice through participation in Gestalt Non-Profit LLC, San Francisco, CA.
I managed a caseload of all ages, in multiple settings, consisting of individuals, couples, and families. I worked
with adults and teens who were struggled with self-esteem issues, substance abuse tendencies and those with
personality disorders. I created an individualized treatment plan for each client, and updated each throughout
the course of treatment. Through participation in a Gestalt community, and nonprofit counseling center, I was
able to build business and community simultaneously.
January 2013- August 2014
Therapist: Coyote Coast Youth and Family Services, Orinda, CA
I worked as a community-based therapist and group leader for 14-18 year old youths. I worked with substance
issues, personality disorders, teens with low self-esteem and high self-harm tendencies. Duties included
mentoring, creating a treatment plan, and developing a treatment plan in conjunction with a team. Typical
client needs included mentoring regarding values, life skills and managing relational boundaries, feeling
acceptance, and feeling supported in growth.
January 2012- January 2014
Social Skills Group Leader: Fiddleheads, Berkeley, CA
Fiddleheads serves children with and without mental health diagnoses through nature based enrichment. In this
program I led 4-6 year old children in a nature based social skills group. I used mindfulness based techniques
working with autism spectrum children to build rapport and a sense of safety. I used a Social Thinking
curriculum to help children understand the necessity for social étiquette.
July 2012- April 2013
Consultant: Josie's Place, San Francisco, CA
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3. Josie’s Place is a nonprofit Center for Bereaved Youth and Families intended to provide a safe and honest space
for grieving, vulnerability and healing. I led groups for grieving children, facilitated volunteer training, and
performed outreach to community. I also worked in organization, marketing, and fundraising as well as acting
as a co-Facilitator for team process and team planning groups.
May 2011-Sept 2013
March 2006-July 2007
Wilderness Field Instructor: SUWS of Idaho, Gooding, ID
I Instructed 11-17 year old youth in a Wilderness Therapy Program for teens with drug and alcohol problems
and mental health disorders. I provided individualized treatment while collaborating with therapists, instructors,
and staff.
September 2005-December 2005
Client Services​ ​Fellow: Polaris Project, Washington, DC
Polaris project provides resources and counseling to victims of trafficking, and supports public and NGO
awareness of human trafficking.
REFERENCES: Please Contact at Will
Therapist Intern: Church Street Integral Counseling Center, San Francisco, CA
I provided low fee Gestalt Therapy in the learning environment of California Institute of Integral Studies,
including Gestalt group, Gestalt supervision, and personal therapy. I worked with individual clients struggling
with substance abuse, personality disorders, crisis situations and attachment trauma. I developed treatment
plans, maintained relationships, and supported clients in development and achievement of therapeutic goals. I
also began to build a private client caseload.
July 2007-April 2009
Counselor: New Leaf Academy, Bend, OR
New Leaf academy is a therapeutic boarding School for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls. I developed
therapeutic treatment plans within a team, executed them, achieving many successful outcomes. During this
time I developed familiarity with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, eating disorders, cultural awareness, art
therapy, equine therapy, group therapy, and individual therapy.
Denise Tervo, Gestalt Institute Pittsburgh, PhD,Supervisor, 412-661-5015, innerharmony2008@gmail.com
Lori Como, Associate Director Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, 412-916-0212, Lcomo@gplc.org
PJ Swan, Clinical Director, New Leaf Academy: 541- 617-8989, pswan@newleafacademy.com
Alex Georgakopolous, CEO Coyote Coast: 510-333-4144, alexg@coyotecoast.org
Jessica Wallace, Director Golden Gate Counseling Center, Supervisor, BAGI: 415-238-6263, msjezzi@gmail
Gieve Patel, Director Church Street Integral Counseling Center: 415-713-8760, ​gpatel@ciis.edu
Shamita Dhar, CFO Coyote Coast: 310-709-1469, ​shamitadhar@coyotecoast.org
Lu Grey, Supervisor Bay Area Gestalt Institue: ​lucannagrey2@gmail.com
Debbie Stone, Co-Director Church Street Integral Counseling Center: 925-699-2410, dstone@ciis.edu
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