Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
Sara Jane Tinker, MS, MSW, LCSW, EMDR, SEP (SE) is a licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and trauma counselor licensed in the state of Tennessee with over twenty-five years’ experience, offering trusted, confidential, personalized, and effective research supported interventions. An interesting mix of professional training, skills and life experience adds a unique richness to what I offer clients. Crossroads experiences in my late teens got me onto a path of self-discovery that led to my present career, which I love and consider my true passion. I love to stay up to date and learn new techniques that can help clients, so more recently I trained in EMDR through the Personal Transformation Institute and am enrolled in the two-year Advanced EMDR Certification program approved by EMDRIA. I am also enrolled in Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing, gentle and effective treatments for trauma resolution. I am a member of the Southern Sandtray Institute Group and work with all ages in sandtray therapy as well as family & couples therapy. Psychodynamic, Self-Psychology, Object Relations, Systems & Family Therapy are my foundational lens while utilizing Somatic Experiencing (SE), EMDR, Person Centered, DBT, and Attachment work. My counseling style is warm , interactive, and engaging and I believe a trusting, therapeutic relationship is the foundation for the therapy. I treat everyone with respect, dignity, sensitivity, and compassion. I view people as more than stigmatizing labels, diagnoses, past “mistakes” and instead, build on your strengths, your hopes, and the possibilities.
In the 1980’s my love for the mind-body-spirit connection led me to a graduate degree in Exercise Physiology & Wellness, completing my research thesis on Aerobic Fitness & Stress Perception. Next, I studied Yoga & Meditation at the Pennsylvania Himalayan Institute, later traveling & studying in India and Nepal. My graduate training at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville included stints at a clinic for victims of sexual abuse, community mental health, and later after working in acute adolescent psychiatric/A & D and in-home adolescent/child treatment, I opened a private practice in 1992. More recently, I had the opportunity to train with Rev. Becca Stevens, Founder of Magdalene in 1997, now called Thistle Farms, designed to heal, empower, and employ female survivors of human trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. I also worked with Mending Hearts, whose mission is to provide shelter, hope and healing to women who may be homeless due to addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Other common issues brought to therapy: Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorders, Trauma, Relationship problems, Mood Swings, Stress, Chronic Pain, Communication issues, anxiety, depression, premarital counseling, spiritual or church trauma, gender identity issues, family problems, raising teens /children, and chronic pain due to autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia, lupus, arthritis, Crohn’s, and Sarcoidosis.
One of the reasons I connect so well with my clients is that I’ve had such a diversity of experiences. I know the stress of the work, a long-distance relationship, losing family, career confusion and change, chronic pain, loss, dealing with a loved one’s addiction, recovery, blended families, spiritual crisis & searching, divorce after a long marriage, and dealing with aging loved ones and dementia. I have experienced the healing of therapy, support groups and body-energy work, and can offer hope from my own experience, as well as from my professional training. I help clients create a life of joy despite the challenges. I genuinely enjoy helping people, and have both the tools and the experience to help guide you through better communications, deeper connections, family issues, healthier boundaries, major decisions, health problems, becoming your authentic self, and most importantly the healing process.
It takes courage to pick up the phone and call when there is this feeling “I should be able to handle this myself.” Being strong doesn’t mean you don’t get help; it means you know when to ask for help, you can face your fears and anxieties about actually asking for help, and you’re willing to look at yourself, your relationships, and your life honestly. Just give me a call; we can see if we are a good fit and if we think we can work together to help you make the changes you want to see in your life.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Sara Tinker is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Tennessee with 26 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and mood disorders, addiction, grief, family conflicts, and a range of other life challenges. She holds a Tennessee clinical social work license (TN LCSW 1046), which reflects her training and scope to provide clinical psychotherapy in the state.
Her approach combines long-standing psychodynamic foundations – including Self-Psychology, Object Relations, and Systems and Family Therapy – with experiential and somatic methods such as Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. She completed EMDR training through the Personal Transformation Institute and is enrolled in the two-year Advanced EMDR Certification program approved by EMDRIA. She is also enrolled in Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing training. In addition, she is affiliated with the Southern Sandtray Institute Group and provides sandtray work with clients of all ages alongside family and couples therapy.
Sara’s background blends clinical training and diverse life experiences. Early study in Exercise Physiology and Wellness included a research thesis on aerobic fitness and stress perception, and her studies in yoga and meditation at the Pennsylvania Himalayan Institute included travel and study in India and Nepal. Graduate training at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville included work at a clinic for victims of sexual abuse, community mental health, acute adolescent psychiatric and addiction services, and in-home adolescent and child treatment. She opened a private practice in 1992 and has continued to expand her skills through trainings such as work with Rev. Becca Stevens in 1997 and collaborations with programs supporting women recovering from trafficking, prostitution, homelessness, and addiction.
Clinically, she draws from a variety of modalities including person-centered methods, DBT skills, attachment-focused work, and problem-focused interventions tailored to each person. Her style is warm, interactive, and engaged, grounded in the belief that a trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation for meaningful change. Sara treats people with dignity, sensitivity, and compassion, focusing on strengths, hopes, and possibilities rather than limiting labels or past mistakes.
Because she has navigated many life transitions herself – including long-distance relationships, loss of family, career changes, chronic pain, caregiving concerns, and recovery-related issues – she brings both personal understanding and professional tools to her work. She values the healing potential of therapy, support groups, and body-energy approaches, and aims to help clients develop clearer communication, deeper connection, healthier boundaries, improved family dynamics, and a fuller sense of authentic self and well-being.
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