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DWNLD SARAH'S CV
e-Portfolio · Sarah Allison Potter

A living record of growth,
practice, and becoming.

This e-portfolio documents my development as a counselor-in-training across the domains of clinical practice, professional identity, scholarly inquiry, and personal wellness. It is not a finished product — it is an honest, ongoing record of who I am becoming as a clinician, grounded in the values that guide my work: dignity, equity, relational depth, and the belief that people are not broken.

Curriculum Vitae
Education, experience & credentials
Academic background, clinical training, professional experience, certifications, affiliations, and mentorships.
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Professional Development
Philosophy, clinical skills & wellness
Theoretical orientation, KPI artifacts, self-care reflection, mentorship, advocacy, and scholarly activity.
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Counselor Identity
Who I am as a clinician
Reflections on counselor identity development, supervision, diversity, and the values that ground my practice.
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DWNLD SARAH'S CV
E-Portfolio · Curriculum Vitae

Sarah Allison Potter

Counselor in Training · Autism Scholar · Mental Health Activist
Gilbert, AZ 602-619-3446 sarahallisongth@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/sarahallisonpotter
Summary Education Coursework Clinical Experience Global Credentials Mentors
Professional Summary

Rooted in advocacy, growing into practice

Neurodivergent-affirming counselor-in-training with interdisciplinary experience spanning clinical support, community-based habilitation, nonprofit leadership, and global mental health advocacy. Grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based practice that centers client agency, dignity, and intersectional identities. Brings a demonstrated record of ethical leadership, program development, and cross-sector collaboration in service of equitable mental health access for marginalized and displaced communities.

Education

Academic foundation

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Grand Canyon University · Expected 2027 · GPA 3.98
Alpha Chi National Honor Society Graduate Member
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Grand Canyon University · 2021
Bachelor of Art Studies
Arizona State University · 2014
Bachelor of Art Studies
University of Washington · Transferred
Graduate Coursework

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Theories and Models of Counseling
Professional Counseling, Ethical & Legal Considerations
Counseling Skills
Counseling the Culturally Diverse
Group Counseling
Principles of Psychopharmacology
Human Sexuality and Issues of Aging
Lifespan Development
Counseling Couples and Families
Research Methods and Program Evaluation
Substance Use Disorders and Addictions
Assessment, Tests, and Measurements
Career Counseling
Abuse, Crisis, and Trauma Counseling
Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Psychopathology
Assessment of Mental and Emotional Health Status
Counseling Practicum
Counseling Internship I & II — current
Syllabi for each course available upon request.
Clinical Training

Building clinical practice

Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Grand Canyon University
August 2023 – Present · GPA 3.98
Alpha Chi National College Honor Society honoree recognized for academic rigor, intersectional analysis, and justice-oriented counseling practice. Demonstrates advanced capacity for synthesizing research, critiquing systemic inequities, and applying culturally informed, person-centered clinical frameworks.
Positive Behavior Support Training
Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities · Lauren's Institute for Education
2024 · AZDDD, 8 hours
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, multi-tiered framework used in educational settings to promote positive behavior, improve school climate, and support students' social, emotional, and academic success through proactive, strengths-based interventions.
Continuing Education & Specialized Trainings
Relational Trauma Repair Certificate Course: Psychodrama-Based Tools, Role Plays and Embodied Exercises for Experiential Trauma Healing
Dr. Tian Dayton · PESI
2026 · PESI, 10.75 hours
A foundational certificate course in experiential trauma treatment — using psychodrama, sociometry, and embodied practices to help clients safely process early attachment trauma, map relational patterns, and work through grief and loss in ways that move beyond traditional talk therapy.
"In Here You Can Do and Say Almost Anything": Limit Setting in the Child-Centered Playroom
Association for Play Therapy · The Redwood Center
2026 · APT, 3 hours
Practical training in limit-setting within the child-centered playroom — covering how to balance radical acceptance with safety using the ACT Model, navigate aggression, maintain a nondirective stance, and recognize your own internal triggers when children test the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship.
"I want to see you be brave": Utilizing the Therapeutic Powers of Play to Treat Selective Mutism
Arizona Association for Play Therapy
2026 · AZAPT, 3 hours
A focused, practical training on using play therapy to assess and treat Selective Mutism — covering accurate diagnosis, common misdiagnoses and comorbidities, the four stages of the avoidance cycle and communication bridge, and evidence-based play therapy interventions for building therapeutic relationships and supporting successful treatment outcomes.
Play Therapy Ethics
Arizona Association for Play Therapy
2026 · AZAPT, 3 hours
Play Therapy Ethics covers the historical and contemporary landscape of ethics in play therapy practice, examining how morals, values, law, and technology intersect with family life, caregiver collaboration, and the APT's Policy on Play Therapy Best Practice. Topics include navigating conflicts between parental rights and minor client wishes using ethical decision-making models, and building the relational trust and safety necessary for ethical collaboration with caregivers, parents, and teachers — particularly in the context of social media and digital life.
Professional Experience

Where the work has taken me

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern, Behavior Health Paraprofessional
ClearWaves Counseling
September 2026 – Present
Providing individual counseling to children, adolescents, and adults under clinical supervision in an outpatient setting. Applying person-centered, trauma-informed, and neurodivergent-affirming frameworks across a diverse caseload. Developing competencies in intake assessment, treatment planning, progress documentation, and ethical decision-making within a CACREP-aligned internship experience.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum Intern, Behavior Health Paraprofessional
ClearWaves Counseling
June 2026 – September 2026
Completed supervised practicum hours in an outpatient counseling setting, gaining foundational clinical experience with child, adolescent, and adult clients. Developed core skills in rapport-building, case conceptualization, and session documentation while integrating coursework in trauma-informed and equity-centered practice into direct client contact.
Direct Support Professional, BHPP
Stacy Campbell & Associates | The Bogle Center
June 2026 – Present
Delivering person-centered habilitation services to individuals with developmental disabilities in home and community settings. Support daily living skills, social engagement, and community participation while honoring individualized plans, client autonomy, and family collaboration.
Home & Habilitation and Respite Provider
Lauren's Institute for Education
January 2023 – Present
Provide person-centered habilitation services to individuals with developmental disabilities in home settings. Support daily living skills, social engagement, and community participation while honoring individualized plans, client autonomy, and family collaboration.
Habilitation Support Specialist
Arion Care Solutions
November 2022 – March 2023
Delivered evidence-based habilitation training addressing adaptive, behavioral, and socialization skills. Collaborated with families and interdisciplinary teams to develop culturally responsive care plans that promote independence, dignity, and resilience.
Executive Director
Project Watermelon
January 2024 – September 2024
Founded and led a global humanitarian initiative mobilizing over $500,000 in refugee aid within six months. Oversaw emergency relief, housing, food security, and advocacy efforts for Palestinian families. Co-designed a culturally relevant biopsychosocial mental health initiative grounded in trauma-informed and intersectional feminist principles.
Mental Health Activist & Content Creator
Mental Health is Magic
August 2021 – February 2025
Develop and disseminate inclusive, evidence-based mental health content centering neurodivergent lived experience. Facilitate intersectional peer support spaces that challenge ableism, foster belonging, and promote radical acceptance.
Marketing Consultant
Mother of Marketing
January 2010 – June 2024
Provided equity-centered marketing strategy and consultation for nonprofits and social impact organizations, specializing in culturally humble messaging, ethical engagement, and inclusive representation.
Global Mental Health & Volunteer Experience

Advocacy without borders

Global Mental Health Program Volunteer
Project Watermelon · U.S.A., Egypt, Palestine
January 2024 – September 2024
Collaborated with international clinicians to develop a transnational, culturally and religiously attuned biopsychosocial mental health framework for war refugees, centering trauma-informed care, provider-client alignment, and ethical advocacy.
Administrative & Strategy Support Consultant
The Zaynab Project · U.S.A., Palestine
December 2025 – Present
Support executive leadership with organizational strategy, marketing, partnerships, and team infrastructure development to ensure long-term sustainability for humanitarian work in Gaza.
Certifications

Credentials on file

Article 9 & COVID Training (2024)
CPR/AED/First Aid (valid through 2026)
Positive Behavior Support (2024)
Fingerprint Clearance — AZ DPS (valid through 2028)
Lethal Means Counseling (2025)
Professional Affiliations

Where I show up

Graduate Member, American Counseling Association
Graduate Member, American Psychological Association
Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
Arizona Play Therapy Association (AZAPT) Local Chapter Member
Professional Mentorships

Guided by

Dr. Daniel Latham, Ph.D., LPC
Grand Canyon University
Has served as a mentor throughout my academic and professional development, guiding the formation of my counselor identity and supporting intentional planning for post-graduate practice.
Daniel.Latham@gcu.edu
Victoria Evans-Fulton, PhD, LPC-S (VA), NCC
Grand Canyon University
Has provided scholarly and professional mentorship, supporting the development of publishable work, academic writing, and career preparation within the counseling profession.
Dezerrae Houk, LPC
ClearWaves Counseling
Dezerrae Houk, LPC, has served as a mentor throughout my practicum and internship development, guiding the formation of my clinical practice, counselor identity and supporting ongoing professional development.
Dezerrae@clearwavescounseling.com
In Their Words

Letters of Recommendation

“

Sarah is a reliable and thoughtful emerging counselor who has consistently demonstrated a strong dedication to the counseling profession. She engages fully in her academic and clinical preparation, shows deep self-awareness, and approaches her development with humility and purpose.

One of Sarah's strengths is her ability to articulate a clear theoretical orientation while remaining open and curious about other perspectives. This balance allows her to work flexibly with a range of clients and clinical challenges.

Sarah's professionalism, maturity, and insight will make her valuable to any site. She is eager to learn, open to feedback, and committed to ethical, evidence-based practice. I recommend her for any practicum or internship placement without reservation.

DL
Daniel Latham, PhD, LPC, NCC
Graduate Mentor
Grand Canyon University · Daniel.Latham@GCU.edu
“

Sarah distinguished herself through her strong critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to ethical, culturally responsive counseling practice. In CNL-523, students are challenged to engage deeply with complex issues related to multicultural considerations and ethical decision making. Sarah consistently exceeded expectations in these areas.

One of Sarah's greatest strengths is her ability to integrate research, theory, and practical application. She consistently produced graduate-level work that was well organized, evidence based, and clinically meaningful.

She is an insightful, thoughtful, and highly capable emerging counselor who will be an asset to any organization or graduate program fortunate enough to work with her.

VE
Victoria Evans-Fulton, PhD, LPC-S, NCC
Online Instructor, Graduate Counseling · CNL-523
Grand Canyon University · victoria.evansfulton@gcu.edu

CONTACT

sarah@clearwavescounseling.com

480-359-7950
4100 S Lindsay Rd #124
Gilbert, Arizona
www.sarahapotter.com
Professionally insured through the American Counseling Association

MEMBERSHIPS & CERTIFICATIONS

Member, Arizona Association for Play Therapy
Graduate Member of the American Psychological Association
Graduate Member of the American Counselors Association

MEMBERSHIPS & CERTIFICATIONS

Member, Arizona Association for Play Therapy
Graduate Member of the American Psychological Association
Graduate Member of the American Counselors Association