(907) 744-1882
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES IN ANCHORAGE, AK
Assessment, Psychotherapy, Consultation
ABOUT DR. SARA BUCKINGHAM
Clinical-Community Psychologist
As a clinical-community psychologist, I take a systemic approach to understanding problems and developing solutions. In addition to helping you or your organization gain insight into yourself, I strive to help you understand what is going on in the systems around you - your family, friends, communities, cultures. That way, we can work together to help you make the changes you desire. That might mean changing how you relate to these systems, working towards changing these systems, and even exiting systems and entering new ones to support your wellbeing.
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In my clinical work, I work with adolescents, adults, and families. I provide culturally-informed, strengths-focused, evidence-based psychotherapy for a variety of mental health challenges, including trauma, depression, anxiety, and adjustment. I specialize in services for significant life transitions, including migration. I particularly serve people who are new to the United States, such as immigrants, refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking.
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In my community work, I work with organizations, community, and grassroots movements. I collaborate with these partners to design, consult on, and/or carry-out mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) culturally-relevant needs assessments, program development and design, process and outcome evaluations, and community and asset mapping. I specialize in participatory qualitative approaches and data visualization for diverse audiences.
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I completed my PhD in Clinical and Community Psychology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and my doctoral internship at the University of Vermont. I am a licensed psychologist in the State of Alaska (License Number 125402) and the State of Vermont (048.0134277). I am also a professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage where I teach graduate students and conduct community-engaged research on communities, culture, and wellbeing.
SERVICES I OFFER
FREQUENTLY ASKED CLINICAL QUESTIONS
WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Psychotherapy is a way of treating problems and gaining new skills. In psychotherapy, the psychologist and the client work together. Through talking, you will gain insights; through practice, you will develop new skills; and through taking action, you will make changes to improve your wellbeing.
WHAT WILL PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH YOU BE LIKE?
Our first meeting is a time for us to get to know each other and to talk about your goals and how I can help you. I want to understand what is most important to you. So, I will ask questions about you and your life. I will share what I have learned too, and we will jointly decide on the best treatment for you. We will then meet weekly or biweekly for as long as we need to, which is usually between 8 and 20 weeks. Most therapy sessions are 50 minutes long.
WHAT SORT OF PSYCHOTHERAPY DO YOU DO?
I provide culturally-informed, strengths-focused, evidence-based psychotherapy from a systems perspective. Let's unpack that:
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EVIDENCE-BASED: When new treatments are developed, we test them to see if they work. I only use treatments that have been show to be effective. The evidence-based treatments I tend to use in my practice include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, and family-based treatments. I am trained in multiple techniques, and so depending on your reason for treatment, I may suggest a different treatment.
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CULTURALLY-INFORMED: Not all treatments work for everyone. We don't all value the same things; we don't all experience life in the same way; and we don't all benefit from the same kinds of psychotherapy. I seek to understand YOU in order to choose an appropriate treatment and tailor it to you. I am dedicated to psychological services access for everyone and often work with interpreters.
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STRENGTHS-FOCUSED: When we are in distress, it is easy to lose sight of how resilient we are and the strengths we possess. I seek to understand your strengths, help you gain insight into them, and then use them to guide treatment.
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SYSTEMIC APPROACH: While it will be just you (and perhaps your family) coming to my office, you are a member of a much larger community. I keep this in mind when understanding your goals, your problems, your strengths, and your treatment. Often psychotherapy involves making changes to these systems.
DO YOU OFFER PRO-BONO (FREE) SERVICES?
I offer free psychotherapy services to people who do not have access to insurance, such as asylum-seekers and undocumented immigrants. I also offer free psychological evaluations related to asylum, victims of human trafficking or criminal activity, or other immigration-related cases. I do charge for other clinical and community services I offer, which allows me to continue to offer pro-bono services.
ASSESSMENT
Comprehensive psychological assessments to diagnose mental health conditions and make treatment recommendations.
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Pro-bono psychological evaluations for immigration cases available when recommended by your attorney.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Individual and family therapy services available. Treatment is evidence-based and informed by your strengths, cultures, and goals.
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I specialize in treatment for trauma, anxiety, depression, and adjustment related challenges.
CONSULTATION
Specialized one-time and ongoing clinical and community consultation available to individuals and agencies.
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Services include: education and training, program development, program evaluation, community-mapping, and clinical supervision.
CONTACT ME
