Here's a bit about my world, how I guide people into more vibrant relationships, and why I chose this path.

I have been in love with the 'group experience' for as long as I can remember. There is great joy in being a member who belongs to a partnership or team. IT'S AN INCOMPARABLE, UNIQUE SWEETNESS. I've thrived on it in many forms. I find it incredibly nourishing. 

In my personal experience, the most powerful groups have been harmonic, romantic couplings. I've always been drawn to LOVE. Giving it and receiving it. I believe that love, romance and intimacy can be SIMPLE AND PURE IF WE’RE WILLING TO BE SWEETLY, RADICALLY HONEST. Even in and as community!

TOOLS, TRAINING, ROLES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• CERTIFIED RELATIONAL LIFE THERAPIST (Facilitator Level)

• EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RELATIONAL LIFE FOUNDATION (2020 - Present)

• CERTIFIED TEACHER OF MATRIXWORKS: GROUPS AS LIVING SYSTEMS

• ACTIVE HOPE / THE WORK THAT RECONNECTS, JOANNA MACY

• NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION

• APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY

• MINISTER OF THE UNIVERSAL LIFE CHURCH

I have felt this zest for living while a part of teams, ensembles, casts and cohorts. I come in contact with it performing on stage, competing on gymnastics teams, dancing with troupes, singing in choirs, musicals and jazz ensembles, directing and designing for the stage, and more recently as part of living systems of intentional humans working together toward something larger than themselves.

I must admit that am also deeply familiar with the pain bonded humans can encounter.  It is part of why I left a career in theater arts and pursued a graduate degree in group dynamics and interpersonal work.

I am committed to helping relationships be free from pain. No matter where you struggle when it comes to romantic relationship— support can be found by deepening intimacy with ourselves, with our community and with our the natural environment. In my work, I make use of tools that bring us closer to our gratitude, radiance, gentleness and passion.

Starting in 2009, I studied extensively under the tutelage of Mukara Meredith of MatrixWorks: Groups as Living Systems. It is through her model of leadership, as well as through my own relationship experience that I have become intimate with and committed to creating healthy and happy relationships.

More recently, I’ve become a big proponent of Relational Life Therapy (RLT), a powerful style of couples therapy created by Terry Real. I became certified as a Relational Life Therapist in 2019. I find this model to be extremely accessible to the couples I work with, and I have never seen another modality produce such quick and lasting change.

I run the nonprofit wing of his Institute, called Relational Life Foundation. As advocates of Relational Life Therapy (RLT), we offer free and low-cost services that bring relational tools and healing into the lives of people who might not otherwise be able to access it. We are also set out to prove RLT evidenced-based by producing research on its impacts. It’s turned out to be a dream role for me. Our organizational commitment to accessibility, diversity, and inclusion is aligned with my roots in that my father spent his life as racial equity advocate.

Couples Work, Community Building and Wedding Officiating is my answer to a call from my own heart, from clients, and from the many people on my path who've confirmed to me that I am an effective partner for those looking to move toward greater resiliency, joy and love.

Love, 

Sarah

Want to read more about me? Feel free...

I AM EXCITED ABOUT:

• HELPING CREATE HAPPIER, HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIPS TO SUPPORT HUMANS, PARTNERS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN BEING MORE RESILIENT.

• INVITING COMMUNITY-BASED CREATIVE COLLABORATION.

• LOVING OPEN-HEARTEDLY, SPEAKING THE TRUTH, TAKING RISKS, HAVING FUN AND BEING GENTLE WITH ALL LIFE.

Born and raised in Greenwich Village, NYC, my upbringing was filled with arts and culture. I have a strong passion for community building, sustainability, living systems, the Earth, localization, jazz, the performing arts, and helping people realize their own potential. I am a graduate of Naropa University's Environmental Leadership (now titled Resilient Leadership) master's program. My studies are based in living systems theory, contemplative inner work and social innovation. I fell in love with the MatrixWorks: Groups As Living Systems model of leadership as a student and continue to be committed to it as part of my life's work and passion. I have functioned as an adjunct professor in Naropa's Environmental Leadership program, teaching this course, Groups As Living Systems. I have assisted founder Mukara Meredith in teaching nearly 20 classes. It invokes deep personal joy to bring this healing work to the world.

While my professional direction shifted when I landed in Colorado, I remained involved in the performing arts community. As of late, I have been rekindling my love affair with singing-- particularly jazz standards and as part of the Mosaic Gospel Choir. I've helped produce Truth Be Told, Boulder's wildly popular Story Slam. For five years I functioned as the Volunteer and Sustainability Coordinator of the Boulder International Fringe Festival. What I enjoy most about Boulder's arts community is its focus on collaboration over competition. People there seem to believe and live from the perspective that if others are thriving, they will also thrive. This is a viewpoint I choose to carry with me into all areas of relationship, teaching and coaching.

Thanks for reading! Now I'd like to get to know YOU! xo

Love,

Sarah