Sara is an empathic and understanding clinical counsellor and certified music therapist. She has over 13 years of experience in the mental health field in various roles in Canada and abroad. Sara has two master’s degrees in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University. Her education represents the pairing of two allied and complimentary approaches in counselling with the expressive arts. Sara’s approach is client-centred, strengths based, emotion-focused, and culturally sensitive. She believes it is important to build a strong rapport with each unique client to help them meet their needs.    

Sara’s experience as a clinical counsellor includes working with adults, university students, and children. She has worked with individuals and university students at the University of British Columbia’s Psychological Services and Counselling Training Centre and Simon Fraser University’s Health and Counselling Centre. She works with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, culture/identity, developmental transitions, and personal growth. She has completed additional training in trauma, Indigenous awareness, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, and Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship for couples. 
 

As a music therapist, she works with children with autism, seniors with dementia, and people with disabilities. Sara has worked for a number of years in the community, hospitals, and long-term care homes. Her main instrument is the piano and she also plays guitar, clarinet, Balinese gamelan, Japanese Taiko drums, and sings. Music therapy can involve listening and playing music, composing a song, drawing, and guided imagery. 

In her free time, Sara contributes as the associate editor for the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy (CJMT) that publishes new research each year. Sara is particularly interested in culturally diverse approaches to mental health and interdisciplinary practices. Sara also enjoys travelling, hiking, writing, and yoga. 

If you would like to contact Sara directly, please email her at: sara.pun@tanyaelez.com