Hi, I’m Sarah!

Sarah Sumner is a couples therapist, sex therapist, and trauma therapist in Portland, OR. She specializes in sexual trauma, ADHD, and queer issues.

Sarah Sumner, LCSW, LMSW (they/them)

Supervised by Beth Richman, LCSW & Dr. Karlaina Brooke, PsyD & AASECT Certified Sex Therapist

Identities: mixed-race, queer & neurodivergent

Location: Online in Oregon and New York

Availability: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Fee: $185 per 50 minute session

*Current Availability: Openings for Individuals & Couples*

I love supporting those who want to dive deep to better understand themselves, have more fulfilling relationships and access more pleasure & empowerment. I focus on working with sexual concerns, non-traditional relationships, neurodivergence, queer & gender expansive folks and sex workers.

Why I Do This Work:

Our relationships are the single biggest predictor of happiness, including the one with ourselves. In spite of what’s happened to you or how you’ve hurt others, I believe everyone can be in pleasurable and safe relationships. It brings me an immense amount of meaning to help you create yours.

This belief is deeply rooted in my own journey of navigating identity and belonging. I used to be a professional actor in NYC who, despite being a second-generation Iranian immigrant, was “too white” to play Middle Eastern and “not white enough” to be considered white. I didn’t get to have self-expression or bodily autonomy.

This led to a deep dive on how invisible identities impact our relationship with society, each other, and sexuality. Let’s reclaim your sexual story.

How I do this work:

I strive to support you to move beyond understanding the “why” of what got you here, and to embody the changes you want to see.

You’ll find that I am playful, direct, open to feedback and a fierce advocate for your well-being. Through gentle confrontation, I’ll hold you accountable to your values, including naming internalized systemic oppression. I’ll celebrate every win with you, no matter how small, because joy is integral to healing.

I’m a trained Internal Family Systems (IFS), Intimacy From the Inside Out (IFIO) and Yoga Therapy provider. I also use techniques from Somatic Experiencing, Non-Violent Communication, liberation-based frameworks, Polyvagal Theory, and the latest neuropsychology research for nervous system regulation and psychoeducation. I received my Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University. 

When I’m not working, you’ll find me at a theater, hosting craft nights, enjoying the food scene, and playing with my two long-haired kitties.

My Specialities

  • Sex Therapy

    Survivors of sexual trauma/abuse and their partners

    Sexual anxiety

    Sexual pain

    Individuals with low sexual desire

    Difficulty with orgasm

    Mismatched desire in relationships

    Kink & BDSM

  • Couples Therapy

    Queer Relationships

    Mixed neurotype relationships

    Ethical non-monogamy

    Mixed race couples

  • Sex Workers

    Burnout

    Connecting to pleasure & embodiment

    Boundaries & self-advocacy

  • Neurodivergence

    Shame & sense of self

    Pleasure & embodiment

    Neurodivergence & sexuality

  • Queer & Gender Expansive Folks

    Sexual or gender identity exploration

    Embodiment issues through gender transition

    Family of origin trauma

Hear From Sarah

Qualifications:

LCSW in OR (L16353) & LMSW in NY (126984)


Master’s of Clinical Social Work (Columbia University)


IFS Level 1 & IFS Level 2 (Intimacy from the Inside Out)


C-YT 450hrs, Yoga Therapy

Mindfulness for PTSD, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Applied Chakra Theory


Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama (NYU Tisch School of the Arts)

Get started with Sarah, today.

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