Sarah Kellett Associate Clinician
MA, LAC

  • Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counselor/ Montclair State University

  • NJ Licensed Associate Counselor - #37AC00769400

    • Supervision provided by Michael Mariano

I am a licensed associate counselor (LAC). I graduated from Montclair State University with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling and received my New Jersey state license. I first studied psychology during my undergraduate years at Monmouth University where I obtained a bachelor’s degree with a minor in Criminal Justice. During my junior and senior years, I completed an internship at a women’s shelter in Bergen County. I provided behavioral assistance to children and support to mothers who had been victims of domestic violence. This experience, combined with coursework in women’s psychology, gender studies, and trauma allowed me to begin understanding the experiences and perspectives of others, ultimately emphasizing and inspiring my eventual push into a person-centered approach.

"Make peace with your past"

- Norman Wright

While in graduate school, I pursued a clinical internship at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC). a clinical internship at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC). There, I was introduced to a wide range of mental health and co-occurring substance abuse diagnoses. I worked alongside a treatment team of counselors, social workers, nurses, and psychiatrists to provide group and individual therapy to individuals attending an acute, partial hospitalization program (APH). Through group work and the opportunity to see clients so frequently, I began to understand the power of CBT and DBT approaches. Being able to work so closely with individuals and seeing their progress was one of the most rewarding aspects of my internship, inspiring me to want to continue working at this level of care. I chose to complete all three phases of her internship with BNBMC’s APH program in hopes of becoming more familiar with symptomatology of several mental illness, more knowledgeable of community resources, stronger with clinical skills in both a group and individual dynamic, and continuing to see progress and positivity in those I work with. 

I had the opportunity to work with a variety of symptoms from anxiety, to mood disorders, and addictive behaviors. I have been successful in assisting clients build tools such as positive coping and effective communication skills while also providing the psychoeducation necessary for clients to feel empowered in their work and accepting of their challenges. With continued education, I had the opportunity to strengthen knowledge in co-occurring disorders as well build specialized skills such as dialectical behavior therapy and emotionally-focused therapy. 

I connected with Grounding Root Therapy in 2024 and began pursuing an outpatient, individual clientele caseload. In learning more about and strengthening my “warrior tools”, under the supervision of Michael Mariano, LPC, LCADC, ACS, I hope to provide supportive counseling to individuals struggling with life’s transitions, substance use, personal stressors, and self-esteem. 

When I am not busy with work, I enjoy traveling as much as I can with my partner, exploring new locations inside and outside of the United States. I am a proud cat mom to my feline daughter, Ellie. I enjoy creative outlets such as coloring, painting, and other crafts; and I get moving through yoga practices and nature walks.