Sarah Hess

Sarah Hess, a local marriage and family therapist and certified perinatal mental health provider, recently earned a state award. 

Hess was presented with the Distinguished Service to Families Award from the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

According to the award criteria, the honor is bestowed upon "an individual/organization who has made outstanding contributions to North Carolina families in some way (ie: LMFT, family advocate, volunteer, legislator, media, etc)."

Hess said in an email, "I work in a group practice locally and focus on making efforts to educate the public about perinatal issues through media articles and interviews, along with assisting annually with the Climb Out of the Darkness walk to bring awareness to perinatal mental health."

Hess also created emotional affirmation coloring pages in circulation in the Brunswick County School system.

According to the bio on the website of Cape Fear Psychological Services, she helps patients with "a wide range of presenting concerns such as issues with perinatal/postpartum mood, relationships, life changes, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety."

Her experience includes providing skills training in an intensive outpatient program for children, working as a respite and rehabilitation provider, facilitating group therapy, volunteering as a psychological research assistant in several university labs and serving as a conference committee member for the Arizona Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Hess graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's of advanced study in marriage and family therapy.