“Sarah has that rare ability to provide a compassionate and safe environment, combined with a willingness to highlight the truth of a situation, even when it is hard. She brings a strong Christian conviction that change for the better is possible in Christ, while acknowledging that it takes a willing and open heart on the part of the client(s). She is one of the best at this complicated and delicate task I have ever seen.”
I love my kids. I love my husband. My best days are filled with the people I love, spending time with Jesus, cooking good food, being outside, and laughing with my friends and family. These are the most important things about me. My work, my family, and my faith let me be a helper in my community and I’m so grateful for them all.
I share this joy and passion in my work as a marriage and family therapist. When I meet with clients, I am struck by the commonality of the human experience. Whether it is helping young women figure out their next steps in life, single mothers, children dealing with divorce, men, and women with addiction issues, or teens with behavioral and mood disorders -- all are seeking peace. We share the same plight, fighting to heal, to hear that we matter, and to know that there is something greater we can lean on when we feel alone. I am passionate about sharing the truth of the Gospel from a chair where grace is extended in droves. From my first classes in graduate school, through my internship, and now in my private practice, I have been privy to many painful and wonderful processes. I count it a privilege to walk with individuals and families when they come to counseling for guidance.
Over the last 20 years, I have worked with families in my private practice, women in ministry, congregations, our local schools, and now at Colorado Christian University as a professor in the psychology department. In 2019, I added a Christian Registered Yoga Faith Certification to my resume and am hoping to use it in a clinical setting with the many athletes I see in my practice. I am committed to engaging in the process of helping those who are struggling with mental health issues and being a bridge that connects them in their community, church, and therapy. When leading groups or speaking at women's events, I hope to communicate that we are all worth pursuing mental and emotional health because we are made in the image of a God who loves us wholly and deeply. There are many levels of understanding mental health that require a professional, and I hope to be a conduit of that ongoing conversation between the Church and her beloved people.
Academic resume:
B.A. Elementary Education, Taylor University, Upland, IN 1999
Elementary Teacher, Colorado Academy, Littleton, CO 2000-2003
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN 2007
Graduate Counseling Intern- Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN 2009-2011
Private Practice, Sarah Bontrager, LMFT, Golden, CO 2012-present
Ph.D. candidate, The Philosophy of Psychology: Performance Psychology, Grand Canyon University, 2021-present
Recent Teaching Awards:
CCU- Adjunct Professor of the Year, 2020
CCU- Affiliate Professor of the Year, 2021
CCU- Athlete’s Professor of the Year, 2022
Speaking and consulting resume:
*Colorado Christian University- April, 2024, Women’s Ministry guest speaker “Where is Jesus in our Suffering”
*Red Rocks Church- March, 2024, Panel Speaker, Youth Mental Health Awareness Week
*Red Rocks Church- October 2022, Panel Speaker, Youth Mental Health Awareness Week
*Colorado Christain University- April 2021, Speaker, Women’s Ministry Student Luncheon
*Women’s Conference- Keynote Speaker, August 17, 2019, *Loveland, CO “Navigating Your Inner Narrative”
*Covenant Church Regional Conference- Keynote Speaker, November 2, 2019, *Glen Eyrie Castle, Colorado Springs, CO “Authenticity in our Faith Journey”
*LifeBridge Single Mom’s Workshop- Nov. 13th, 2019 @ 6:30 pm *Loveland, CO “Keeping Our Minds and Inner Narrative Healthy”
*Covenant Church Regional Women’s Retreat: Workshop “Your Inner Narrative: Truth or Lies” Nov. 3-4, 2018
*MOPS: Mothers of Preschoolers @ Arvada Covenant Church, Arvada, CO “Mom’s Time In” January 8, 2019
*Fairmount Elementary: Parent University, Spring 2019 Date TBA “Caring for the Mental Health of Your Elementary Student”
*Women's Bible Study Group Leader, Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN 2004-2007
*Guest speaker, Faith Church Christmas Event, Indianapolis, IN 2008
*Women's Ministry Team Co-leader, Faith Church, Indianapolis, IN 2008-2011
*Women's Bible Study Leader, Faith Church, Indianapolis, IN 2009-2011
*Guest Speaker, MOPS Women's Bible Study, Arvada Covenant Church, Arvada, CO 2012
*Guest Speaker, Women's Christmas Brunch, Arvada Covenant Church, Arvada, CO 2014
*Guest Speaker, Women's Spring Retreat, Arvada, CO 2015
*Consultant for Mental Health Initiatives, Arvada Covenant Church, Arvada, CO 2012-present
*Mental Health and Wellness: A Workshop for Parents of Teens and Tweens FCA Arvada, CO 1/17/17 6:30 pm
*Chapel Speaker: Mental Health for Students- Grades 9-12 Arvada, CO 3/13/2017 9 am
*HOPE HOUSE: Guest Speaker, Mental Health Luncheon discussion for teen moms Sept. 13, 2017
*Breakout Session on Mental Health: Regional Covenant Women's Retreat- Estes Park, CO Oct. 6-8 2017
*MOPS Guest Speaker: October 10, 2017, Arvada Covenant Church at 9 am
*Guest Speaker: PTA Parent Education Series- Caring for the Mental Health of your High School Student, Nov. 7, 2017
*February 10, 2018, Married People: A Date Night With Purpose (Speaking on marriage with my husband, Jeff), Arvada Covenant Church 5555 Ward Road, Arvada CO 6:30 pm. Tickets available at www.arvadacovenant.org
*March 6, 2018, Ralston Valley High School Parent Teacher Education Series: Depression and Anxiety in Teens, Arvada, CO 7 pm
*Fairmount Elementary: Parent University, April 30, 2018, Caring for the Mental Health of Your Elementary Student
*September 8-13, 2018 TEAM Missions Care Conference: Mental Health Series for Missionaries, Centro Evangelico Isola del Gran Sasso www.isola.net
"Sarah was our speaker at both our Christmas and Spring Luncheon this year and what a blessing. Sarah has a wonderful quality of being able to connect with women of all ages and her genuine love to reach out to women is felt by her audience. Her knowledge and love of God's word inspires others." Linda Hagan- Former director of Women's Ministries, Arvada Covenant Church