Portrait of Counsellor Sarah Unrau smiling with a background of blurred trees and grass.

Hello! I’m Sarah.

From the very beginning, my work has been rooted in a simple belief: when people feel safe, seen, and supported, they begin to reconnect with their strength, voice, and sense of possibility.

My path into counselling began through quiet, meaningful moments — listening to seniors share wisdom in assisted-living settings, sitting with survivors of abuse as they reclaimed their sense of safety and self-worth, and supporting adults with developmental disabilities as they expressed creativity, humour, and resilience in everyday life. In each of these spaces, I learned that healing is less about fixing and more about being with — bearing witness to humanity, dignity, and hope. They have shaped me into a counsellor who leads with steadiness, respect, curiosity, and care.

I am also passionate about community. Through workshops on abuse awareness and self-compassion, I strive to help communities deepen emotional resilience, recognize patterns of harm and safety, and practice more sustainable ways of relating to themselves and one another. It has been a gift to offer these sessions in seniors’ programs, young-adult groups, women's organizations, and other community spaces — each time reminded of how powerful shared learning can be.

Across every setting, I continue to be moved by the quiet strength people carry — and the courage it takes to heal, grow, and imagine a life that feels safe and meaningful. My approach is trauma-informed, gentle, collaborative, and deeply human. Together, we’ll move at your pace, honouring your story, wisdom, and lived experience.

It would be my honour to get to know and walk alongside you! 

Qualifications & Training

Professional Registration & Affiliation

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counselling (BCACC), RCC #22895

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Counselling & Human Services

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Professional Development

Foundations in Violence Against Women v2.0 — BC Society of Transition Houses (BCSTH)

safeTALK (suicide awareness and prevention) — LivingWorks

Understanding Abuse in Relationships — Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) End Abuse Program

Respect, Disrespect, Abuse — Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) End Abuse Program

Sexual Assault Crisis Line Training — Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (CKSACC)

Completed webinars:

Anxiety Certification Course: Integrate CBT and Exposure & Response Prevention for the Treatment of GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, & Phobias — Kimberly Morrow & Elizabeth DuPont Spencer

Grief Summit — David Kessler

Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy — Frank Anderson

Mindfulness Certification Course — Richard Sears

A woman with dark hair in a braid, smiling, wearing a brown fleece jacket, standing near a body of water with tall grass and a pastel-colored sky in the background.

After counselling sessions, I’m probably…

  • looking for birds with my binoculars

  • listening to an audiobook on a walk

  • working on my latest project at a cozy coffee shop

  • seeking solitude and tiny creatures in the forest, or along the river, and trying to document it in my camera roll

  • connecting with family and friends

Curious about working together?

I’d love to hear from you!

Book a Consult