about me
Hi! I'm Dr. Sarah Pires, a licensed clinical psychologist certified in perinatal mental health. I help overwhelmed women find self-compassion within so they can live their fullest life through the many transitions of motherhood.
It is one of my greatest joys to help support women as they find more self-acceptance and healthy self-expectations in a world that often asks us to be more. This led me to focus my work on helping women feel more peaceful in their relationships with themselves and the people they love. I believe in this so much because when we build a healthy relationship with ourselves, our best life is possible.
And you deserve your best life.
My own journey to motherhood inspired me to support other women and mothers through this life changing experience. Whether you are on your path to pregnancy, coping with infertility, grieving a loss or losses, currently expecting, recovering from birth trauma, or a new mother coping with the biggest change of your life...there are many demands, changes, emotions, and uncertainties in your world. You may be just starting out on this path, or you may have been walking this road awhile. No matter where you are in building your family, connecting with yourself and with helpful supports during this time is so important. We can do that together.
how i work
An important thing to know about me is that my style of therapy is supportive, interactive, and collaborative. This is work we will do together. We will help you find healing as a team. I will encourage you to actively participate in therapy, challenge yourself to make positive changes in your life, and join me in better understanding unhelpful patterns and areas for growth. When we work together, I will provide you with support, feedback, and helpful tools to bring more balance and self-compassion into your life.
I feel so passionate about empowering women and mothers to increase self-care and appreciation because I truly believe this leads to a more fulfilling life. Priotizing self-care can help restore balance, well-being, relationships, and joy…even during our most overwhelming and painful times. You deserve that.
I have come to appreciate that emotional pain is an inevitable part of our life experience, especially in the journey to motherhood. In different ways, we all encounter painful emotions like sadness, anger, disappointment, grief, anxiety, and fear. This is something we all share together and connect with, though it does not need to define who we are or how we live. For me, this means that you may be feeling completely overwhelmed right now, and yet there is still room for self-compassion, growth, empowerment, and joy. I truly consider this work a privilege and a gift, as it allows me to help support women in their ongoing growth towards their most fulfilling life.
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Clinical Psychology, University of Hartford, Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology
Master of Arts (M.A.), Clinical Practices, University of Hartford, Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology
licensure & certification
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, State of Connecticut #003211
Perinatal Mental Health-Certifiied (PMH-C), Postpartum Support International
specialized training
Eye Movement Desenstization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Perinatal-Infant Mental Health
Postpartum Support International Certificate - Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care
Seleni Institute - Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Seleni Institute - Perinatal Grief & Loss
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss
Perinatal Loss-A Framework for Healing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Maternal Depression
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Healing Birth Trauma