Sara Marasco, LMSW

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Sara Marasco, LMSW (she/her) is a therapist that works with adults of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. She takes a mindful and curiosity-based approach to therapy, with seasonings of compassion, acceptance, and humor present in her sessions. Sara will always begin where clients feel comfortable, maintaining a safe pace while gently encouraging growth. Sara’s practice and belief system is rooted in social justice, with her ongoing efforts directed toward the work and learning of antiracism and centering the needs of marginalized populations. She believes deeply that every human should have access to effective behavioral health care, and that our world would be vastly different if this were our reality.

Sara utilizes strengths-based, evidence-supported approaches to treatment, aiming to help clients develop skills that will feel supportive in daily life. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, bipolar disorder, or with a history of trauma. She also supports people that are managing chronic health issues, considering a change in their substance use, or navigating a life transition.

Sara’s treatment approach with her patients is tailored to individual needs and preferences. Her work will often include the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or Problem Solving Treatment (PST). Sara is also trained in Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), both of which are highly influential in her care. She emphasizes the connection between mind and body in her treatment, and her ongoing training and interests focus on somatically oriented and trauma-focused approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Internal Family Systems (also known as “parts work”). Sara’s experience and training in collaborating with prescribers (including psychiatrists and primary care providers) also enables her to monitor response to medication, if that is part of the treatment plan.

Sara completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies locally at the University of Michigan. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2011, and has since worked in a variety of settings, including hospital, primary care, child welfare, and community-based work. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and holds certificates in both Addictions and Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Sara also has a history of advocacy work for expanding access to behavioral health care, particularly for underserved populations in Michigan. She enjoys teaching, which presently includes lecturing at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Sara grew up near the beauty and steadiness of Lake Michigan, which helped develop her appreciation for slowing down and restoring through nature. She has lived in Ann Arbor since 2006, and is grateful and humbled to be a part of the abundant Ann Arbor health care community.