Sarah Montes
A Note From Sarah
Welcome!
Looking for a new therapist takes courage so I’m glad you’re here! Sometimes folks are afraid of being judged - they wonder if they’re just too emotional, or doubt that anyone will really understand what they’re going through.
The idea of admitting you need help and reaching out to a stranger for support can be intimidating. This is a big step! I bet you’re wondering if I can help you. I’d certainly like to give it a try!
How I can help.
I'd like to make this process as accessible and effective as possible. Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, or maybe you just can't seem to get over something from your past. It could be anything from anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties, to coping with loss, trauma, or major life changes. Whatever it is, I’ve got your back.
With formal training in critical care nursing and counselling psychology I have gathered several tools and techniques to navigate life’s difficulties.
You could think of me as the co-pilot on your healing journey. You’re in control, and I’m here beside you—to offer support, guidance, and tools that really fit who you are and what you need. I primarily work with individuals using trauma therapies such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Somatic therapy to guide you into a compassionate understanding of yourself and empower you to move forward in a fulfilling way. Much of my work is with queer, polyamorous, and kink-oriented folks and I welcome clients from all walks of life. I bet at some point you’ve felt alone in a dark place. I would be honoured to join you and we’ll find a way out together - you don’t have to do this alone.
Who I am.
I genuinely love my work, but I also love more than this work. I have a husband of over two decades and three teenagers I absolutely adore. I enjoy travelling and get a bit restless if I don’t have a trip booked. I also enjoy doing almost any outdoor activity if the weather is nice. I joke that I’m solar powered. I’m not a fan of the rain so if the weather isn’t nice you’ll find me inside, maybe editing photos and videos, woodworking, listening to an audiobook, or playing games with my family. My family and I are pretty settled in the Cowichan Valley (the traditional lands of the Hul’qumi’num People) on Vancouver Island now, but for several years we lived in the Himalayas where my husband taught in the environment program at a college and I offered mental health services to students.
Enough about me. Let’s connect! I’d love to hear more about you.
More About Sarah
Rate: starting at $180 per session.
Session options: Virtual therapy available across British Columbia and Canada, and in-person counselling on Vancouver Island in Duncan, BC.
Flexible schedule: Daytime and evening appointments available.
Specialties:
Anxiety and depression counselling
Sexual abuse recovery and counselling for survivors
Suicidal ideation and crisis support
Relationship difficulties including parenting support
Life transitions, burnout, and work stress
Sex therapy, sex-positive and kink allied counselling
Support for LGBTQ+ communities
Open relationships and non-monogamy support
Counselling for neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism, learning differences)
Spirituality and meaning-making in therapy
Who Sarah works with: Adults, teens, couples, and families seeking compassionate, trauma-informed care.
Supervision: In addition to client work, Sarah provides supervision for counselling interns and therapists. Sarah supports practitioners who want to deepen their skills in trauma-informed practice, build confidence, and learn to integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy into their clinical work.
Therapeutic approach: Sarah draws on nearly 20 years of experience working with trauma from both a medical and counselling perspective. Sarah blends IFS, EMDR, somatic approaches, and attachment-based therapies to meet clients’ specific needs. Sarah’s practice is grounded in warmth, safety, and collaboration, whether working virtually or in-person.
Find Sarah on Instagram
If you’re ready to connect with Sarah, reach out today to schedule a virtual therapy session or meet in person at her Duncan, BC office. Together, you can begin the process of healing and creating lasting change.