Hi, I’m Sara Powers — Play Therapist & Central Coast Local

I’m a child-centered play therapist based in San Luis Obispo, deeply committed to helping kids and families feel safe, seen, and supported. I grew up here on the Central Coast, and it’s a privilege to serve the community that shaped me.

My background includes a range of experiences in child therapy and family therapy settings. During graduate training, I worked in an elementary school, collaborating with children, parents, and teachers to support students’ social, emotional, and academic growth. That experience sparked my passion for helping children feel understood and empowered.

After graduate school, I joined Family Care Network, where I worked with foster youth and high-needs children. This deepened my commitment to trauma-informed care and strengthened my belief in meeting kids where they are—with empathy, creativity, and patience.

I’ve also supported families providing parent coaching, via in-home services, to neurodivergent children. My approach blends the structure of evidence-based interventions with the warmth of child-centered play therapy, and I often incorporate Theraplay principles to support parent-child connection and healthy attachment.

Whether I’m working in a school, home, or private practice, my focus is always on helping children express themselves, process challenges, and build confidence in themselves and their relationships.

When I’m not in the playroom, you can find me spending time with my niece, hiking local trails, or enjoying the natural beauty of the Central Coast. I’m honored to offer play therapy and child therapy services to families throughout San Luis Obispo and surrounding areas.