About Sara Ouimette, LMFT in Oakland, CA

Hi, I'm Sara Ouimette (pronounced "we met"), a depth psychotherapist and spiritual grief counselor based in Oakland, California. I enjoy helping people make the internal shifts necessary to feel more joy in their lives. This involves a paradigm shift: a realization that the deeply held fears and beliefs that hold you back are no longer needed. Over time, by shining a spotlight on the experiences that shaped you, and the stories you keep telling yourself that no longer serve you, you can begin to shed unnecessary pain, grieve losses, treat yourself with more compassion, and feel your inherent worth as a precious and unique human being.

My Approach to Psychotherapy

My approach to healing is rooted in depth psychotherapy, which recognizes that true transformation comes from engaging with the unconscious, integrating shadow aspects of the self, and reconnecting with a deeper sense of meaning. I view individuals as complex, multi-dimensional beings shaped not only by their personal experiences, but also by ancestral, cultural, and collective forces. Healing is not just about symptom relief—it is a process of individuation, a journey toward wholeness that involves exploring the hidden patterns, symbols, and narratives that shape your life.

I believe that our struggles often hold profound wisdom, and by engaging in deep inner work, we can uncover the unconscious dynamics that influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My work is continuously informed by my own commitment to self-exploration, personal growth, and ongoing consultation with a senior therapist. Clients describe me as warm, compassionate, interactive, and non-judgmental. I focus on creating a trusting therapeutic relationship where we can collaboratively explore your inner world, helping you access the deeper layers of your psyche and move toward greater self-awareness, authenticity, and transformation.

visit my FAQs

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Subject

Message

Phone

(###)

###

####

Checkbox

I have visited the FAQs page

Yes

No

“When we are no longer able to change a situation… we are challenged to change ourselves.”

— Victor Frankl

Specialization in Grief and Loss

Through both my personal and professional journey, I have come to understand that grief is not just a passage through pain, but a process of transformation. To live is to lose, and if we resist the depths of our sorrow, we inevitably close ourselves off to the fullness of love and life itself.

A traumatic and sudden loss led me to deeply contemplate death—its finality, its mystery, and my own mortality. In seeking to hold space for others in their encounters with loss, I trained as an end-of-life doula, believing that death is not something to be feared but embraced as an intrinsic part of existence. My work with the dying has drawn me toward those facing life-threatening illness, a threshold where devastation and grief can give rise to something unexpected: deep love, purpose, meaning, and a sense of empowerment in the face of the unknown. Depth psychotherapy offers a way to honor grief—not as something to move past, but as a guide into the depths of what it means to be alive.

contact me

Specialization in Cannabis Use and Psychedelic Integration

I’m acutely aware of the cultural misperceptions that exist when it comes to the use of these substances, now often referred to as “medicine” or “plant medicine.” They are powerful indeed, and worthy of great respect, but that doesn’t mean they’re always helpful or always harmful. These substances have both benefits and risks: potential to heal and to harm.

It can be challenging to find healthcare professionals who hold this nuanced perspective, and I believe it’s important for those who have been impacted by the positive and/or negative properties of psychedelics and cannabis to have a safe place to talk about their experiences.

Psychedelic substances are so mighty, and so different, that it also helps to speak with someone informed about their possible effects, as well as after-effects. Especially for those who have had a negative experience in an expanded state, I offer a safe space in which to process and recover from this unique form of traumatization or re-traumatization.