Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadie Lanier.
Hi Sadie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hmmm, How I Went from a Troubled Teen to a Trusted Counselor…
Growing up as a somewhat rebellious teenager, a therapy session arranged by my well-meaning mother was not the path to healing she had hoped for. Instead of opening up, I shut down. It was a wasted hour, as far as I was concerned. When I got home, I lashed out at her for trying to “change” me, declaring, “I don’t need help! I’m the one friends come to with their problems. I am the counselor, and I’ll be a counselor. Wait and see!” It was a moment of adolescent bravado, but it held a truth I wouldn’t discover for many years: people heal when they are ready, not when someone else says it’s time. As time would prove, my healing was found in helping others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The decades that followed were a testament to my life lesson. My own difficult journey included the death of both my parents, a long battle with my own mental health, navigating a painful break-up, and raising two boys, one with ADHD and one with Autism, as a single mother. Along the way, I made decisions I now regret, using marijuana as a crutch and leaning on unstable relationships. Yet, every tear shed and every medication that failed taught me something valuable. I came to believe that nothing is ever truly wasted, and every bit of suffering has led me to exactly where I need to be. Facing a Diabetes diagnosis, I took control of my own health. Through a commitment to diet and exercise, I not only reversed the condition but also defied the challenges of an autoimmune disorder, losing more than 90 pounds along the way. This journey wasn’t just about weight loss – it was about reclaiming my identity.
My dad’s death in 2006 transformed my life and career. Leaving behind a secretarial desk, I went back to school to become a special education teacher. His legacy inspired me to follow my love for children, and provide every child with unconditional acceptance, leaving no room for prejudice. Then only months after my mother’s death, I found clarity in my God-given purpose. Her unwavering, prayerful encouragement had been the soundtrack to my life. I returned to school to pursue a Master’s in Education for Counseling and Development, driven by a desire to honor her legacy. Known to her friends as a natural counselor, my mother’s gifts for listening and her non-judgmental nature—extended to everyone, no matter their life choices or faith beliefs – are a blueprint for my own work. My career is a reflection of my mother’s enduring influence.
My professional experience as a special education teacher was also formative. Working with students from all walks of life, regardless of their diagnosis or behavior plan, I learned to look beyond the labels into the eyes of the individual. This, combined with a lifelong dedication to my faith and my own bi-racial children, shaped a profoundly non-judgmental approach to counseling. My clients know I’m not just speaking from a textbook. When a teenager is struggling with self-harm, anxiety, or their identity, I can look them in the eye and say, “I used to be right where you are,” and they believe me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In 2025, after earning my master’s degree, working as a school counselor, followed by licensed professional counselor, I founded Above Counseling, PLLC. The name is inspired by a Bible verse from Colossians 3:1-2, “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” It speaks to my purpose, rooted in my faith but open to all. In my practice, I work with young adults to help them identify their own needs and set their own goals, ensuring their investment in the process is sincere. I use a solution-focused approach, incorporating engaging activities like sensory, arts and collaborative brainstorming sessions to help them find their voice and build self-esteem. Growing up is hard enough without feeling like your emotions are running the show. I guide teens and young adults in mastering skills like self-regulation, effective communication, and healthy coping so they can face life’s challenges with confidence. Whether it’s tough family dynamics, friendships, dating or career choices, they learn how to build and maintain well deserved relationships. My practice accepts most major insurance providers and cash payments in both the office and virtual setting.
What does success mean to you?
While our society often undervalues careers in teaching and counseling, I have found my “happy place” in this work. Recent dreams have also been achieved by becoming a licensed foster parent. Accepting these children into our home enriches our life journeys tremendously while helping those in the system. My personal struggles have given me the empathy to connect with young people who feel withdrawn and often worthless. For me, success isn’t defined by financial gain or public recognition, but by the quiet victories in conversations – the moment a young person’s unique beauty shines through, or the relief of being truly heard and validated. I listen to an individual the way I would want my own children to be heard. I am a mom, teacher, and counselor, here to support the next generation and remind them that no matter how crooked the path, there is always hope for a straighter road ahead.
Pricing:
- accepting all major insurances or cash pay
Contact Info:
