Sara Baker - Cary
MSW, LCSWA
Growing up, my mom brought me to numerous Appalachian State University football games. My love for The Mountaineers led me to complete my Bachelor of Social Work at Appalachian State. Throughout my college years, I worked with groups of youth aged 5 to 18 in different settings such as summer camps and afterschool programs. In Boone, I began working with children aged 3 to 13 on the Autism Spectrum, providing personalized ABA therapy sessions to enhance their communication, emotion regulation, and daily life skills. Collaborating closely with parents, I offered valuable guidance and education to support their life at home.Transitioning to The Triangle, I pursued my Master of Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill. During this time, I dedicated myself to supporting at-risk families, offering both individual and family counseling services. My focus was on helping children and teenagers navigate life's complexities and transitions, fostering strong parent-child connections along the way. My approach to working with children and families centers on psychoeducational techniques aimed at empowering them to navigate life's challenges with resilience and understanding. Currently I am pursuing licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW) and certification as Registered Play Therapist (RPT).Â
I am also qualified to treat the following mental health conditions:Â
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Grief and loss
Autism Spectrum Disorder
In addition, I am also able to help individuals understand and cope with the following issues:
School Issues
Trained in utilizing Play Therapy
Stress management
Trauma-informed care
Conduct/Behavior Problems
Social Skills
Parent Coaching - Elementary age through Young Adults
Emotion regulation
IÂ specialize in supporting children and teens as they navigate life's complexities, providing tailored guidance to address both current and past challenges. Through a blend of skill-building activities and personalized support, I empower each individual with the confidence to embrace future obstacles. My approach integrates Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) along with effective techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).Â
Accepted Insurance:
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield (Exceptions: BlueHome, BlueLocal, HealthyBlue and BlueValue)
Cigna
United Healthcare/Optum filed as OUT OF NETWORK
Reasonable Self Pay Rate