Sarah Karesa
M.Ed., R.Psych
Program Manager
Sarah, in addition to being the program manager for the Edmonton Healing Centre, is a Registered Psychologist specializing in grief and loss (for all kinds of losses), palliative and life-limiting illness, dementia, and caregiving. She has spent her career building a deep understanding of these issues and is dedicated to supporting children, teens, and adults (individually and in group settings) as they navigate their unique journeys through grief. In doing so, Sarah aims to help all of her clients to discover how they can regain control in situations that are out of their control, how they can find healing in situations where healing is hard to find, and how they can develop the tools they need to face the difficult challenges that they may come across on their healing journeys.
Sarah earned her Master of Education (Counselling Psychology) Degree from the University of Lethbridge in 2015 and has completed specialized training/professional development in the areas of grief, loss, and trauma. She has over 10 years of experience working in diverse counselling settings including universities and hospice-palliative care settings as well as over 5 years of experience working as an Associate Professor at City University of Seattle’s Edmonton Campus. She has published and presented original research on the role of psychologists in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).
Sarah’s approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered, drawing from diverse modalities such as Person-Centered/Humanistic Therapy, Existentialism, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapies. Sarah believes that therapy is a shared journey where clients are empowered to explore their emotions, build resilience, and navigate challenges in a way that feels best to them. Her clients can expect a supportive, affirming environment, particularly for diverse individuals who may have experienced systemic barriers to care.
Sarah specializes in working with people experiencing:
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Grief and bereavement
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Palliative and life-limiting conditions (including end of life)
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Aging-related transitions
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Caregiver stress and burnout
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Heightened anxiety and fear
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Social isolation and rebuilding meaningful connections
Outside of her professional work, Sarah enjoys going for walks, playing with her dog, and listening to improv comedy podcasts. She values lifelong learning, believing deeply in the human capacity for adaptation, healing, and hope — no matter their circumstances or stage of life.
