Somatic Experiential Play Therapy

About Me

I am a Licensed Psychologist, LPC, RPT‑S, SEP, national trainer, and co‑creator of Somatic Experiential Play Therapy (SEPT). With over 30 years in the counseling field and more than 20 years of national training experience, I teach clinicians how to integrate somatic awareness and child‑led play to support the nervous system. I am an approved personal session provider and consult provider with the Somatic Experiencing International (SEI) and my first book (co-authored with Melissa Wetterlund), Somatic Experiential Play Therapy, releases in February 2027.

Introduction to Somatic Experiential Play Therapy

This course will give you a foundational introduction to the Somatic Experiential Play Therapy modality created by Sara Werner and Melissa Wetterlund.

Learn More

I specialize in helping therapists—especially play therapists—deepen their understanding of trauma, children’s play, and metaphors, and the subtle cues of the nervous system. It’s exciting and rewarding to walk alongside professionals as they grow and develop confidence and concrete skills in working with children.

Parents often come to me feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to support their child who may be struggling with big emotions and behaviors. I love helping them discover what’s really going on underneath the behaviors, and guiding them in simple, effective strategies that bring more peace and connection at home.

In schools and churches, where staff and volunteers often feel unequipped to respond to children’s big emotional and behavioral challenges, I provide training through a trauma-informed, somatic lens. My goal is to offer practical, step-by-step tools that can be used in real time—bringing clarity, confidence, and calm to even the most challenging moments.

Credentials and Recognition

• Founder and first President of the Minnesota Association for Play Therapy

• 2020 “Shining Star” Award from MNAPT for contributions to the Play Therapy community

• Current Chair for the Central Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy

• Licensed Psychologist (Minnesota)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (Texas & Minnesota)

• Florida TLHT Licensed Mental Health Counselor

• Telehealth Registered Professional Counselor (South Carolina, https://llr.sc.gov/TeleHealth/Counselor.html)
• Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
• Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
• Adjunct faculty experience

"Sara's presentation was so wonderfull and validating to what I feel children need in the playroom. I am so excited to continue to learn and grow! Thank you!"

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"Sara is the best! Great Training!"

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"Absolutely blown away by SEPT and how effective and useful it can be, especially for kids with all types of trauma."

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"All around great experience. Sara did an incredible job of explaining SEPT and showing us how to integrate it."

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"Great experience- very engaging and well thought out and planned materials. Great intentionality - good activities to get us moving. Thank you so much for everything!"

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"As a ministry leader, I’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes when our volunteers are equipped to serve children with special needs. Partnering with Sara Werner, a behaviorist and Champions Club teacher, she has identified the need for behavior training to help our team better support every child that attends our program every week. With practical strategies and communication tools, this regulated training has empowered our volunteers, built their confidence, and created a more inclusive and understanding environment for all of our special needs children. I truly believe this has strengthened our ministry and deepened our impact on the leaders and children in the Champions Club program. Thank you to the help from Sara Werner, She is making a huge impact on each child who comes through our ministry. Grateful for you!"

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"Sara’s training was transformative for our church community. She helped us understand the root causes behind some of the challenges we were seeing and equipped us with practical tools to better support the kids in our care. We walked away feeling more prepared and confident to say “yes” to every child who walks through our doors. To top it off, we didn’t just learn about the nervous systems of the kids—we also gained insight into our own!"

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Your rights as a consumer:

1) You have a right to request your health care records

2) In Texas, you can contact the Council with concerns, as found on the Council's Contact Us webpage: https://bhec.texas.gov/contact-us/
in Minnesota, you can contact the MN Board of Psychology: https://mn.gov/boards/psychology/public/complaints/

3) in Texas, File a consumer complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection webpage: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
in Minnesota: https://mn.gov/boards/behavioral-health/public-information/filingacomplaint.jsp

Get in touch

About Me

Introduction to Somatic Experiential Play Therapy

Credentials and Recognition

"Sara's presentation was so wonderfull and validating to what I feel children need in the playroom. I am so excited to continue to learn and grow! Thank you!"

"Sara is the best! Great Training!"

"Absolutely blown away by SEPT and how effective and useful it can be, especially for kids with all types of trauma."

"All around great experience. Sara did an incredible job of explaining SEPT and showing us how to integrate it."

"Great experience- very engaging and well thought out and planned materials. Great intentionality - good activities to get us moving. Thank you so much for everything!"

Courses

Trainings

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