Welcome! I’m Sarah Hughes, a licensed clinical social worker driven by my Christian faith and a deep commitment to helping you find hope and healing in life’s challenges. Inspired by Samwise Gamgee’s reflection in The Lord of the Rings—

“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.” - Tolkien, J.R.R. (2004). The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Houghton Mifflin. (Original work published 1955)

I believe that even in our darkest moments, there is enduring light waiting to guide us. Through evidence-based therapies like Brainspotting, EMDR, CBT, DBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, and faith-based Christian counseling, I provide a safe, compassionate space to explore your unique journey and build resilience and provide healing. When I’m not supporting clients, I enjoy quiet moments with a good book, reflecting on my faith, finding peace in nature, spending time with my friends and family, or gaming. Ready to take the first step? Click “Book Now” to schedule your free 15-minute consultation through my secure TherapyNotes portal!

Why “Elder Tree” Counseling?

The name of my therapy practice, Elder Tree Counseling, draws inspiration from the Two Trees of Valinor—Telperion (the silver tree) and Laurelin (the golden tree)—from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. These ancient, majestic trees were created by the Vala Yavanna and stood as the primary sources of light in the paradise realm of Valinor during the Elder Days. Their radiant silver and golden light bathed the world in beauty, harmony, and unshadowed clarity, symbolizing divine creation, purity, and the sacred rhythm of life before darkness entered the world. In Tolkien's mythology, the Two Trees represent enduring light and hope amid profound loss—their destruction by evil forces marked a tragic darkening, yet their final flower and fruit gave rise to the Moon and Sun, ensuring that even in a diminished world, light persists as a beacon of renewal and possibility.