Zoe Sawdon, Counselor

licensed clinical social work associate

I serve girls & women who are stuck in cycles of worry, overwhelm, guilt, & shame find their way to freedom, peace, & ease.

Specialties:

  • Anxiety & Panic Disorders- racing thoughts, restlessness, that “crappy” feeling in your chest & throat that won’t go away

  • OCD- intrusive thoughts, mental rituals, doubt, need for certainty, & reassurance seeking

  • Guilt, shame, and self-worth- feeling like a burden, perfectionism, self-doubt, & negative self-talk

  • Life transitions- changing schools, graduating high school or college, & changing jobs

Zoe’s Style:

Zoe has the perfect combination of book smarts, humility, empathy, and compassion. She exudes a quiet confidence while really trying to connect with your lived experience and the way you experience life. The way she listens leaves you feeling fully seen and valued. She has a great sense of humor while also honoring the sacred space of the counseling room.

schedule a free 15-minute talk with our team

i believe

Personal transformation is possible when we have a place to share our story while feeling seen, heard, & valued.

  • Clients are best served when there’s a mix of personal reflection and practical tools.

  • Learning how our brains work can empower us to work with our strengths rather than label ourselves as “weak” or “broken.”

  • We must learn to identify our values and needs, and then craft a life that is in alignment with them.

  • Therapy must go beyond symptom relief. It must lead to personal transformation.

  • Life transitions often lead to new questions…”Who am I?” “What do I believe?” Therapy helps us redefine ourselves with every new season.

  • “Failure” is not your identity…it’s a stepping stone to growth, learning, and resilience.

  • It is a great joy to help my clients step into greater confidence, find their unique gifts, and live their calling.

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schedule a free 15-minute talk with our team

Courage doesn’t always look like confidence. Sometimes it looks like asking for help.

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan.

    Master of Social Work Degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

  • Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate

    (license number: P023847)

    Supervisor: Kristin Nakhla, LCSW

  • Training:

    Specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    Specialized training in trauma informed care

    Experience:

    Psychiatric Clinic

    Retirement Center Social Work

    Extensive experience both in the US and abroad with sexual trauma and sex trafficking survivors

    Behavior therapy with autistic children

What it’s like to work with zoe

We’ll work together to identify where you are and who you want to become. Progress isn’t becoming someone new-it’s learning to trust the person you’ve always been.

I believe meaningful change begins when clients feel safe enough to show up exactly as they are. I offer a calm space where you do not have to arrive with the right words, have everything figured out, or pretend you are doing better than you are.

I listen patiently and thoughtfully, asking questions that help clients better understand the patterns showing up in their thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Along the way, I provide practical, evidence-based tools that support meaningful change beyond simply reducing symptoms.

My curiosity, personal experiences, and professional training shape the way I approach therapy.

  • I have always loved learning, especially when it comes to understanding how the brain works and why we respond to situations the way we do.

  • ‍ ‍My background in psychology allows me to connect with clients who want to understand their experiences intellectually, while also creating room for the emotions that cannot always be explained or reasoned away.

  • I have navigated seasons of transition filled with uncertainty and doubt. Those experiences have taught me to take life one day at a time and to recognize the value of even the smallest moments of gratitude.

  • I believe therapy should be collaborative. You bring your experiences, values, strengths, and knowledge of your own life, and we work together to discover what supports you best.

  • I also believe there is no single “right” approach that works for everyone. We have the freedom to try different strategies, learn from what does not work, and adjust as your needs and goals change.

  • My goal is to help women and girls feel more confident in who they are, recognize their unique strengths, and make choices that are guided by their values rather than anxiety, guilt, or fear.

  • I was born and raised in Michigan, and I am excited to now call North Carolina home.

    When I am not serving clients, you will often find me reading or listening to an audiobook, playing tennis or pickleball, attending a baseball game, or taking a pottery class on the weekend.