The Power of Presence: **Sarah’s Story
Sarah had tried therapy multiple times in her life but still struggled with anxiety. When panic attacks began affecting her job as a teacher’s aide, she realized she needed professional help again. However, the cost of therapy worried her. Despite her passion for helping children learn, her modest salary barely covered rent and essentials, and without mental health benefits, the typical $150 session fee was entirely out of reach.

As a result of Fuller Life’s HEART (Helping Everyone Access Resources for Therapy) Equity program, Sarah discovered she could access quality therapy on a sliding scale that matched her budget and wouldn’t require time away from work.

From her very first session with her Fuller Life therapist, Sarah noticed a difference in her therapist’s approach. Instead of focusing solely on fixing her anxiety, her therapist emphasized the importance of being present in her body. Together, they worked to create a space where Sarah could expand her ability to tolerate challenges without triggering panic in her nervous system.

She said, “I have been in and out of different types of therapies since my teens, and this is the first therapist that I’ve actually felt LISTENED to me and that truly cares.” 

She learned to recognize her own process around anxiety, found ways to self-soothe, and be present with herself and others when anxiety showed up. And this made a huge difference in the classroom setting. No longer held back by anxiety, she rediscovered her passion for teaching. The HEART program did not just make therapy affordable – it helped Sarah become the educator she always knew she could be.

Your donation will support our HEART Equity Fund, which covers the difference between what our clients can pay and the cost to provide care. 88% of our clients report low to very low income and your support will help us ensure that every one has access to quality mental health counseling and family therapy.