Rooted in compassion and shaped by lived experience, Sara Rader has built a counseling practice that meets women in some of the most tender and transformative seasons of life—and walks with them toward healing.

An East Nashville native, Sara’s journey into mental health work began close to home. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Tennessee Tech and went on to complete her Master of Education in Human Development Counseling at Vanderbilt University. But the heart behind her work was formed just as much outside the classroom as within it.

At 21, Sara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. What could have felt like a detour instead became a defining moment. Experiencing serious illness at a young age solidified for her how critical support is during life-altering seasons—and how profoundly medical care (or the lack of it) can impact a person’s emotional well-being. That experience didn’t just shape her educational path; it shaped her calling.

“I’ve been in therapy myself during major transitions,” Sara shares. “I know how valuable it is—and how scary it can be. But healing work is worth the courage it takes to begin.”

Finding Purpose in Perinatal Care

In 2018, while living in Louisville, Kentucky during her husband’s theological studies, Sara began working with Seven Counties Services, providing in-home therapy for women navigating pregnancy and postpartum mental health. What started as a role that felt like a good personality fit quickly became deeply meaningful.

“The more I got into it,” she explains, “the more I saw how helping women during this crucial time—having babies, growing families—really impacts entire communities.”

Some of her most formative work came from counseling pregnant and young mothers at a local high school—students often facing unstable housing, generational trauma, and overwhelming odds. Many went on to finish high school and attend community college.

“Any one of those students willing to meet with me was changing the future for their child,” Sara says. “I still credit so much of who I am as a mom to those young women and how brave they were to break cycles.”

Motherhood, Telehealth, and a Deeper Empathy

In January 2020, Sara learned she was pregnant with her first child—just weeks before the world shut down. She immediately transitioned to telehealth, navigating new motherhood and a global pandemic at the same time. After a long labor that ended in an emergency C-section, she found herself struggling with postpartum mental health in an incredibly isolated season.

“That experience really deepened my empathy for moms trying to breastfeed and recover while feeling completely alone,” she says.

When her son was nine months old, Sara launched her own private practice part-time in fall 2021. After welcoming her second child in 2022 and returning to Sumner County in early 2024, her practice continued to grow organically—largely through word of mouth and trusted practice partners.

Today, Sara and her husband—a family pastor at Bethel Baptist Church—are raising their two young children, ages three and five, while staying deeply rooted in community.

Healing That Creates Ripples

Sara Rader Counseling focuses on perinatal mental health, including birth trauma, fertility struggles, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. She’s especially drawn to birth and medical trauma—work that mirrors her own story.

“Medical issues change how you see everything,” she explains. “I had incredibly supportive care during my cancer journey, and I often help clients process the pain of not receiving that same care.”

One of the most transformative tools in her practice is EMDR therapy. Offered as individual sessions or half-day, full-day, and weekend intensives, EMDR has reshaped how clients process trauma.

“It’s amazing to see how much change is possible,” Sara says. “Clients reach a place where they can say, ‘I don’t feel upset about this trauma anymore.’ That never gets old.”

She also offers a virtual women’s group therapy session every Tuesday at noon—a 12-week commitment designed to foster community, nervous system regulation, and accessible care. Looking ahead, Sara’s 2026 goal includes offering one-time workshops to further expand support options for women.

Building Community Beyond the Therapy Room

Sara’s heart for collaboration extends beyond her own practice. She leads the Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative in Middle Tennessee, hosting monthly consultation groups for therapists, facilitating community meetups, and running an active Facebook group for perinatal providers.

“I love learning from other therapists and sharing resources,” she says. “We’re better when we work together.”

She also runs a free monthly grief group through the ARM Foundation, offering a drop-in space for anyone navigating loss—no commitment required.

An Invitation to Heal

At its core, Sara’s work is preventative. By supporting women during pivotal moments, she believes the benefits ripple outward—to children, families, and entire communities.

“The goal of therapy isn’t just to feel everything,” she explains. “It’s to unpack it, sort it, and put it in the right place.”

For those considering therapy, Sara encourages curiosity over fear. Visit her website, schedule a free 20-minute consultation, and explore whether it feels like a good fit. Her practice offers individual sessions, group therapy, EMDR intensives, and transparent pricing, with out-of-network reimbursement options available.

“I’m truly grateful I get to do this work,” Sara says. “Helping women heal during such pivotal times—it’s an honor.”

And for the many lives she’s touched, that gratitude is mutual.