By Sara Moen

I am always one who likes to try new things, experience off the beaten path excursions, and challenge my fears on occasion. This ideology has lead me to get lost in the jungle trying to find uncharted cenotes, hold an 8 foot long snake, and swim with the largest fish on earth . The same thought process also encompasses seeking out new businesses, restaurants, and professionals that make the town of Playa del Carmen as eclectic as it is.

In terms of healthcare providers I have built up a great support system here in Playa del Carmen over the past couple of years with Dr. Suarez (family and alternative medicine ), Dr. Will (chiropractics), Suzanne Bandick (Life Coach ) and Dr. Armenta (dentistry). I have been poked with needles, infused with ozone, cracked and straightened, cleaned, and life coached, and for this I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of educated professionals that I also consider to be my friends.  Now there is a new member to this great team of people: Sarah Murray; B.A., M.A. Counseling Psychology.

I was lucky enough to meet Sarah Murray through the Sanar Clinic, the private practice owned by Dr. Suarez, and we had a chance to sit down and talk about her background, and her path that brought her here to Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen.

Sarah, originally from Canada, moved to Puerto Morelos in November 2007 after a life changing event changed her focus. She chose Puerto Morelos after a month long stay there, and loves the small town charm, and beachside community atmosphere. Sarah began working in the counseling field in 1998 in British Columbia, Canada. Through working in a variety of settings she found her passion was to work with young people and their families, and in 2003 she returned to school, attending City University in Vancouver, British Columbia to obtain her Masters in Counseling Psychology. The program was the perfect fit designed for working professionals where her professor's were actual practitioners as well. Through the masters program she was trained in a variety of modalities that she draws from to work with her patients; Narrative Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems (Satir & Bowen), and Mindfulness and Body Centered Therapy.  

While working on her Masters she also worked as a counsellor with youth and families in British Columbia, Canada. This service, Youth Services, partners with the city police. The purpose of the program is to work with young people who have gotten in trouble with the law. By counselling, these young people it helps to address underlying issues that had led them to their current situation in the first place.

Although Sarah has had years of experience working with at risk youth, she also has worked in recovery and half way houses, helping people overcome their battles with addiction. She offers a broad spectrum of areas of expertise that can help any number of people with their personal issues; anxiety, stress and depression, parent-teen conflict, substance misuse, anger exploration, relationship and intimacy issues, life transitions, self-esteem, grief and loss, coping with cancer, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender questioning.

To say the least Sarah Murray not only brings a strong professional background to her patients, but compassion and understanding as well. And don't you think we could all use a little bit more of that?

If you are interested in finding out more about Sarah please e-mail her at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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