about

Sarah Jane Thomas, LMFT

Why I love doing this work

Hi, I’m Sarah (she/her), part of why I love helping people in bigger bodies is because of my own experience growing up and living in a bigger body. When you were a kid you probably looked to the grown-ups in your life to show you how to go about the world and do life. Your little sponge-like brain soaked up all the body habits you saw and each body comment you heard. For me, and I suspect for you too, those things became the guide for how to show up and belong in the world. You might have accepted the way you were treated as normal or you might have learned to be a grown-up far too soon. Maybe you coped by shrinking yourself and getting really quiet, turning that hurt inward. However you learned to cope is so valid and yet, you don’t have to stay in that place. 

If you grew up in a bigger body and/or with intersecting marginalized identities, that ‘little you’ just wants to be heard, and affirmed for who they are. It’s scary and vulnerable to step into this work and you might unearth things you never expected, and you can move forward towards empowerment, with support and compassion at your side. 

I know what it’s like to recover from an eating disorder in a bigger body and this is why I’m so passionate about helping other folks heal and reconnect with their bodies.

How I approach therapy

At its core, my approach to therapy addresses trauma and the impact it has on relationships, identity development, and how we exist in our bodies. My approach is very mind-body-focused and I often use Mindfulness techniques to rebuild your connection with your body. With this being said, if you have experienced trauma, you might find it difficult to be fully present in your body - and that is completely okay and respected. I will always honor the ways your body has learned to protect you and move at a pace that feels safe for you.

You deserve to have your body feel like home. With warmth, creativity, and compassion, I hope to gain your trust and support you through this.

body acceptance therapy for women and gender expansive folks in california and sf bay area

My background

I grew up in the Bay Area, though I now reside in Southern California. I find living close to the ocean is really important to me, as there’s something really comforting about it. I’m introverted and someone very familiar with being called ‘too sensitive.’ I’ve learned how being highly sensitive is actually a super-power and I’d love for you to unlock the ways your sensitivity is actually one of your biggest strengths. If you’re an introvert, you might also love spending time alone or be equally as comfy with a small group of close friends/family. 

When I take off my therapist hat, I’m usually making art (collaging and watercolor are my favorites), playing with my sweet little emotional support kitty - Beetlejuice, catching up on the latest episode of that one reality show I’m embarrassed to say I watch (no judgements here!), going to my 5- and 8-year-old nephews’ dance recitals and parkour classes, or diving deep into reading/podcasts/writing. 

The way I like to get into my body most is singing, listening to music, and spending time in nature - I’m excited to help you find the things that bring you toward your body. I love tarot cards, they’re awesome for laying down some archetypes and finding the parts that matter to you. If you’re curious about them too (or already do this yourself) it’s always a welcomed addition to our therapy work. 

My Specialties

Social Media | instagram

See if you can invite some space into this part. It might be somewhere in your body, a sensation, or an emotion… Try to breathe into that place and offer it compassion, even if it’s just the tiniest bit. All of our parts show up for ve
My Friday work pal 🐈‍⬛ Beetlejuice is really good at the side eye, so I dish it right back at him lol Some weeks are harder than others, and I’m always glad I have this little dude around for play breaks and snuggles. My favorite things a
send some love to your body today🤎🤎🤎
Guess what? Stumbling is part of the process. That uncertainty and second-guessing, it’s all part of it. It feels uncomfortable and wobbly and sometimes you just want to let out a heavy sigh of frustration. But you know what else? You get to s
PRACTICE TIME! We spend so much time intellectualizing our healing and learning all the ins and outs about it. When it comes down to it, it’s testing things out and letting yourself be a beginner again gets us closer to embodiment. Here are so
It’s hard to show up and take the risk of being seen by others. It’s scary to be fully authentic and sit with the possibility of being rejected. Heck, posting on Instagram is hard most of the time and there is a screen and actual physical
When you think about past versions of yourself, what do you notice about how you related to the world around you? What do you notice about how you relate now? If you could go back and share any piece of wisdom with younger you, what might you say? W

Podcasts | guest appearances

  • Students of Mind Podcast with Jayde Barber - 4/1/2021

My chat with Jayde Barber from Students of Mind podcast about Body Image, Eating Disorder Recovery, and Supporting folks in larger bodies!

Sarah Jane Thomas, LMFT

Education + Training

  • Master of Art in Counseling Psychology, 2016, Palo Alto University

  • Affect Regulation & Somatic Attachment Workshop, 2018, John F. Kennedy University

  • Somatic Approaches to Healing Trauma Training, 2020, John F. Kennedy University

  • Promoting Body Trust in Your Work, 2020, Center for Body Trust (formerly Be Nourished)

  • Historical Trauma and Eating Disorders Webinar, 2020, Gloria Lucas of Nalgona Positivity Pride

  • Eating Disorder Harm Reduction Webinar Pt. 1, 2021, Gloria Lucas of Nalgona Positivity Pride

  • Exploring Your Body Story, 2021, Center for Body Trust (formerly Be Nourished)

  • Body Trust Certification Program, 2022-2023 (in progress), Center for Body Trust (formerly Be Nourished)

Professional Associations

  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists - CAMFT

  • National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance - NAAFA

  • Association for Size Diversity and Health - ASDAH