Sara Pitkanen, M.Ed. LMFT

Sara (She/her/hers) has a Master of Education in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Sara utilizes narrative and relational-based therapeutic approaches, grounded in the belief in individuals' resilience and inherent strengths. She acknowledges that the challenges and suffering that folks face are often intensified by systemic injustices and societal inequalities. These oppressive structures shape individuals' experiences, impacting their self-worth, resource access, and growth opportunities. Sara empowers clients to recognize and confront the influence of oppressive systems, fostering self-awareness, validating their experiences, and challenging harmful societal narratives. By integrating reflections on these systems, she helps clients tap into their natural strengths, develop insights, and cultivate skills to navigate life's complexities effectively. 

Sara began her time at Pacific University in 2018 in a non-clinical role in the Office of Student Support providing student support, advocacy, and collaborating with campus partners to create systemic change to be more inclusive and responsive to students needs. Prior to working at Pacific, Sara worked as a licensed mental health professional in community mental health, medical, and private practice settings working with a wide range of clients.