I’m Dr. Teri Ann Sartor, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC# 62468), Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist with over 15 years experience in providing mental health counseling services. I received a Master of Science degree from Tarleton State University and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Clinically speaking, my counseling experiences include counseling youth (and their families) who were incarcerated in the juvenile justice system, children and adult survivors of sexual assault, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, children in foster care or adoption placements, university clinics, and private practice work. In addition to my clinical counseling experiences, I have been a counselor educator since 2012 and regularly provide consultation and supervision services to professional counselors and counselor associates.
But who IS Dr. Teri Ann Sartor?
Struggles Lead to New Discoveries
Growth is hard and change is uncomfortable; however, sitting in the discomfort and wading through the waters often leads to new discoveries about the self. I, like many have experienced this firsthand.
I know what it is like to fear speaking up and being scared to ask questions or for help due to looking (or feeling) stupid all because I “should know” something. As a kid and teenager, I just wanted to fit in and be accepted for me. I struggled with what felt like everything and was always comparing myself to others or what I thought I should be. This led to overcompensating by trying to be perfect which brought about anxiety. I look back at those times and am amazed at how I grew from my struggles.
What brought me to counseling?
Well, remember how I said I struggled with what I felt like was everything? Believe it or not, this also included school. Transitioning to college life and finding my path was challenging; however, I knew one thing, I wanted to work with children and adolescents in some capacity. It wasn’t until the end of my degree (and almost graduation day) that I realized I wanted to be a counselor for children, adolescents, and their parents.
What I Learned and How I use it….
Finding (and actually using) my own voice, discovering and accepting my true self for me (not someone else), and hard work allows for so many possibilities! Even when the perfect outcomes did not happen, it was okay because I gave it my all and did my part. As an adult, it’s sometimes hard to admit shortcomings and imperfections - this part of my story helps me to connect with other people. I love to see people of all ages grow to be more confident as they embrace their own unique and true self.
This same struggle is what helps me to connect with children, adolescents transitioning into adulthood, and new/experienced counseling professionals. There are still times today that my whole body lights up with fear in a challenging situation with another person or professional. In the therapy room, taking the risk is a part of confronting the problem and THAT can feel scary. You might be seen as you don’t know what you are doing and that is okay. It’s not always about the destination; it’s more about the journey that gets you there and allows you to find your own identity.
Professional Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
McFarlin, S. L. & Sartor, T. A. (2021). I-Poetry as an Instructional Tool in Counselor Education. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. doi: 10.1080/15401383.2021.1950592
Villarreal-Davis, C., Sartor, T. A., & McLean, L. (2020). Utilizing creativity to foster connection in online counseling supervision. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. doi: 10.1080/15401383.2020.1754989
Sartor, T. A., & Cosma, A. C. (2017). Assisting clients and their families cope with mental health related stressors of type I diabetes. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 25(4), 301-305. doi: 101.1177/1066480717711107
Sartor, T. A. (2016). Vicarious trauma and its influence on self-efficacy. Ideas and research you can use: VISTAS 2016. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/knowledgecenter/vistas/byyear2/vistas 2016/page/2
Balkin, R. S., Leich, D. J., Sartor, T., & Powell, J. (2011). Assessing the relationship between therapeutic goal attainment and psychosocial characteristics for adolescents in crisis residence. Journal of Mental Health, 20(1), 32-42.
Books and Book Chapters:
Sartor, T. A. (2018). Assessment in counseling children. In B. McHenry, K. MacCluskie, & J. McHenry (Eds.) Assessments and Tests in Counseling. Routledge: NY.
Sartor, T.A., McHenry, B., & McHenry, J. (2017). Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Children and Adolescents. Routledge: NY. ISBN: 1138948004
McHenry, B., McHenry, J., & Sartor, T. A. (2017). Introduction to the unique legal and ethical challenges when counseling children and adolescents. In T. A. Sartor, B. McHenry, & J. McHenry (Eds.). Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Children and Adolescents. Routledge: NY.
Sartor, T. A. (2017). Challenging cases. In T. A. Sartor, B. McHenry, & J. McHenry (Eds.) Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Children and Adolescents. Routledge: NY.
Sartor, T. A., McHenry, B. & McHenry, J. (2017). Ethics of working with children, adolescents, and their parents. In T. A. Sartor, B. McHenry, & J. McHenry (Eds.) Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Children and Adolescents. Routledge: NY.
Sartor, T. A., McHenry, B. & McHenry, J. (2017). Understanding how personal and professional struggles contribute to practice. In T. A. Sartor, B. McHenry, & J. McHenry (Eds.) Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Children and Adolescents. Routledge: NY.