Parent Testimonials

“Saving our daughter’s life” should be listed under Sarah’s credits. Trust is difficult when hope is lost. And by the time I flew out to meet with Sarah, my husband and I indeed felt lost after exhausting every resource we knew of trying to help our daughter.  But I adored and trusted Sarah from our first meeting.  She worked hard to understand Grace and the issues that needed to be reconciled. She acknowledged our love for our daughter and everything we were doing to see her living a safe and happy life.  

Sarah does everything with the utmost professionalism—she leaves no resource undiscovered and then presents you with a plan. Just as important, she continually gave positive reinforcement and hope to our daughter.  She traveled to visit Grace while she was in a remote wilderness program.  And when she learned that Grace loved children and had taught gymnastics, she promised to bring her son for a lesson once Grace had met an important milestone in her treatment. Grace was honored by this invitation, motivated to achieve her goal and felt pride in sharing her talent with Sarah and her son.  When a grave health scare happened at home, she consoled our daughter who couldn’t be with us. Sarah even came to Grace’s graduations from (treatment program) and high school.  None of these things were part of a contract, it’s just the way Sarah loves the people she works with.  Thank you Sarah!!!

Carol and Dennis

Parents

Granbury, TX

Sarah has been a Godsend for our family.  We had previously hired a well-known and respected educational consultant, but unfortunately his preferred placement had left our son in a worse situation, where we had wasted 11 months of his precious teen years.  Sarah’s wealth of experience, exceptionally personal approach and keen intellect enabled her to get the right read on our son, who opened up to her in ways he wouldn’t for others.  She was able to establish an excellent rapport with him, gain his trust and give us the right recommendation for what to do, which previously had been opaque at best.  Her reputation in the industry allowed us admission to her preferred placement, which otherwise would have been very difficult.  That placement was perfect for our son.  He flourished there.  She has helped his subsequent steps through continued, frequent contact with us and our son.   My personal experience in this field after reading many books and meeting many professionals is that some people have a “check the box” approach, while others “get it.”   Sarah gets it.   She is a source of comfort and knowledge, someone I consider a true friend.

Scott

Parent

London, England

I have worked with Finney Consulting since September 2014. They are like no other Educational Consulting Firm I have worked with. They treat us like family and never quit until we have the right plan and resources in place. I have had regular—sometimes daily in times of crisis—contact with Kristin, who has held my hand through very challenging events.

I am extremely grateful for their efforts, and trust their advice both as professionals and friends. I will have them on our team for as long as our daughter requires care.

Helen

Parent

Hollywood, FL

Our daughter Anna was an engaged “All American” high school girl.  She had good grades, played varsity basketball and soccer, had a great sense of humor, was popular, and had a family that loved her.  Then after two knee surgeries in her junior year, she began abusing prescription pain pills.  It was a dark and difficult time for our family.  After conducting a thorough assessment, Sarah worked closely with our family to find a treatment program that met Anna’s needs and created a path for long term success.  She was able to handle a highly emotional situation with warmth, empathy, clarity, and thoughtfulness. Throughout our daughter’s treatment, Sarah communicated with us regularly and was a compassionate, knowledgeable and balanced advocate for each of us.  It was clear that she wanted the best for our Anna.  Throughout Anna’s most critical transition Sarah helped us to set up a successful aftercare plan, and worked with us for the remainder of the year.  Anna is now excelling as a senior at a top west coast college, she works at the campus bike shop and media center, has wonderful friends, and is physically fit.  She is engaged in the world around her, and has been able to use her time in treatment to allow herself to grow emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  Thank you Sarah for giving our daughter the opportunity to recognize her potential and become the amazing woman that she is!

Jenny

Parent

Salt Lake City, UT

Sarah came into our lives at a most challenging time, after having tried ourselves to navigate the myriad of mental health and addiction services for our son. Throughout our relationship she has provided us with thoughtful, clinically informed recommendations along with insightful and reassuring counsel. She succeeded in matching our son with the most appropriate program and professionals in order to create the best possible outcome. Sarah is by far one of the top in her field--a wise, knowledgeable, and compassionate professional whom I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.

Jeanne

Parent

Toronto, Canada

Choosing a therapeutic consultant to help our family was one of the most important decisions we have ever made. We were in crisis and needed the support of a competent professional to help us with decisions we were ill-equipped to make on our own. We were incredibly lucky to have found Sarah Finney. She saved my son's life and, looking back, she probably saved my family too.  

Sarah’s extensive knowledge shows up in all aspects of her work. She has the certifications and credentials, but the power of her knowledge comes from her many years of experience. She has a ton of it, having worked in treatment settings with complex clients for many years. On top of that, it seems she has personally visited and evaluated more treatment facilities and their staff than anyone on the planet.  And her knowledge is granular--she knows which counselor at what facility is the best fit.

Sarah is a recognized professional who others in her field turn to for guidance and leadership. As a result she commands the respect of the treatment community which affords her significant influence when it is most needed. She is also respected for her integrity. She knows what is right and has the courage and independence to speak up. She is not affiliated with any treatment program and therefore had the independence to make her voice heard on our behalf.

Sarah was bulldogged and resolute in reaching her goals—our goals—and ensured that the right thing was done at every turn. She never settled for easy or convenient and always demanded the right resolution. Sarah is a problem solver and advocate who is not afraid to invest personally in her clients. As a result, she routinely went above and beyond for our son and family. After so many wrong turns, we desperately needed someone with her level of expertise and dedication.

We feel so fortunate to have found Sarah Finney during such a frightening and difficult time. We will forever be grateful to her for all she has done for us.

Charles and Joan

Parent

Reston, VA

I feel so blessed because I was finally able to find the right help at Finney Consulting. I have been struggling for almost five years trying to find ways to help my daughter. From my first contact with them, Kristin, was very sweet and friendly and I felt right away like I was talking to someone I knew for years. I felt for the very first time that someone was listening with care and compassion to what I was going through. I was in contact before with other consultants and I did not feel that kind of support. My daughter’s needs have been managed by Finney Consulting in a very professional manner and with all the details, contacting and dealing with my insurance company, connecting me with a professional transportation service, and placement in the right program all in a very short period of time.

Kristin has been very supportive and encouraging to me. I thank God for leading me to Finney Consulting. I will never finish thanking them because my daughter is making a lot of progress in a short time. I was told that they will find the right place for her and they did. Thanks Kristin and Sarah for all you have done in the life of my daughter and my family. May God continue blessing your company.

Lourdes

Parent

Los Angeles, CA

We began working with Sarah Finney at an extremely stressful and sad time for our family. After interviewing several consultants, we chose Sarah based on a combination of her experience in therapeutic placement, her attention to detail, and her confident, compassionate, and reassuring manner.

Sarah conducted a thorough investigation to obtain a comprehensive understanding both of our son’s issues and our family situation. She requested extensive information from us, and also contacted our son’s teachers, doctors, and therapists.

Sarah provided recommendations in a timely manner, and explained the differences between the various programs so we could make the best choice. Throughout his treatment, she continually monitored our son’s progress and refined her recommendations as she learned more about his needs. We were ultimately very happy with both the wilderness program and therapeutic boarding school that we chose with her assistance.

Sarah provided much needed compassion and support during these very difficult times for us. We feel fortunate to have worked with her and are so very pleased with the man our son has become.

Jill and David

Parents

Houston, Texas

When traveling along the deadly, emotionally draining and fear filled journey that is addiction, Sarah is the precious compass that guides you through. She was our expert and voice of reason as we made tough decisions trying to move beyond despair, exhaustion and hopelessness. During my son’s recovery, Sarah grew from the role of consultant to trusted friend and advocate. I will continue to recommend Sarah, without hesitation, to any of our friends or family who find themselves lost and in desperate need of professional, effective and compassionate help.

Omar

Parent

Toronto, Canada

What can I say about the benefit my family has received from working with Sarah in the last 5+ years.? My son, now 22, began suffering from (what we now know is) a very serious mental illness in combination with significant substance abuse at age 15.  We had tried every resource we knew in the town we live in as well as scoured the state (and the internet) looking for beneficial therapeutic, addiction and psychiatric support. My son just kept getting worse and our family was being torn to shreds. It was a confusing, terrifying and overwhelming time.

I was introduced to Sarah by one of the many treatment centers I had reached out to during this time.  The director said to me "If you do not believe we are the right placement for your son, this is the person to call, she can really help you..."  And he was right.  It took about six months and then things were so bad that my husband and I were finally ready to take the leap of hiring Sarah and following the very personalized recommendations she made in order to get my son the proper assessment and subsequent placement he needed.

Due to the nature of my sons dual diagnosis, there have been some bumps along the way with it sometimes being difficult for his providers to see him in a clear light. Sarah, has never lost sight of the whole picture nor hesitated in her role to advocate for my sons needs.  Additionally, she is incredibly creative in thinking outside of the box in behalf of my son and our family.

In closing, I just want to say that I adore Sarah and am truly grateful for her wisdom, tenacity, vision, courage and the many hours of support she has given to me personally and of course to my son and family at large.

Barb

Parent

Southwestern, US

When we met Sarah, we were running out of hope. We had left no stone unturned in looking for resources for our daughter. We always thought we were giving her the best care possible, but nothing worked. Therapist after therapist, working with her school counselor, the school psychologist, hospitalization, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient...she would make small gains but it felt like she always lost even more ground in the end. Our daughter’s needs were complex, layered, and very specific. We didn’t know it at the time, but what we needed was a specialist. As we listened to conflicting advice from a variety of well meaning professionals, we were starting to question our own sanity. We were wasting money and losing precious time.

When we met Sarah, everything changed. She immediately honed in on those programs which would be able to meet our daughter’s needs and was straightforward in telling us that where we were was not likely to be helpful enough. She was right and I wish we had found her sooner. We can always make more money, but we’ll never get that time back with our daughter.

When we arrived to tour the first program Sarah recommended to us, we were met with warmth and a true understanding of our daughter. We were weary and wary...after all, we thought we knew all of our options. Yet somehow, Sarah reached into her magic hat and found the perfect place. Thanks to Sarah’s expert guidance, we finally had the right treatment plan for our daughter’s needs. Without her help, I don’t know where we would be. Today, our daughter is living independently and is navigating what it is to be a young adult who is figuring out what she wants to do with her life. Without Sarah’s expert guidance, there would be no “figuring out.” Plain and simple:  Sarah saved my daughter’s life. 

I would recommend her without hesitation.

Michael

Parent

Draper, UT

When I was 13 years old I became addicted to drugs, alcohol and struggled with an eating disorder. My parents didn’t know how best to help me so they sought a therapeutic consultant to help. Sarah assisted my family in selecting the right treatment programs for me, where I had the opportunity to address many of the issues I struggled with and rebuild a relationship with my family. Although so much had improved, I didn’t stay sober upon leaving treatment. Fortunately, I had learned where to look when I was ready and finally got sober through the help of a 12-Step program. If it weren’t for Sarah and the help I received when I was younger I wouldn’t have even known there was another way to live.

At two and a half years sober I chose on my own to reach out to Sarah.. I was struggling with my eating disorder and my life was falling apart. When I called, the first thing Sarah did was listen. She asked me what was going on and how she could help. I knew she truly cared about me. Again she helped me find the right treatment option and within a few days I moved to Southern California.

As I sit here writing this I am over three years abstinent from my eating disorder and just shy of six years sober. I have an incredible, full life filled with hopes and dreams for the future. My relationship with my family is better than ever and I truly live a gifted life. Thank you so much Sarah for helping me and my family in our darkest moments. With your help I was given not only a second, but a third chance at life. I will be forever grateful.

Lindsay

Client

Los Angeles, CA

When I first met Sarah Finney about three years ago I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life or where to start. Sarah referred me to a program in Newport Beach that helped me get back on my feet. And when I needed further treatment for my social anxiety and OCD, Sarah was very understanding of my situation and supportive of my desire to get better while not giving up my educational goals.. She set me up with an outpatient program in Los Angeles that was able to offer specialized, intensive treatment without preventing me from going to school or work. I am now one semester from graduating Chapman University (on track to graduate one semester early!), and I have successfully completed multiple internships to prepare me for the job market. Thank you so much, Sarah, for listening to my needs and getting me on the right track!

Christopher

Client

Los Angeles, CA

I worked with Sarah for the first time as an adolescent in residential treatment, where she was my therapist. As a 15 year old, I couldn’t possibly have imagined how profoundly the relationship we developed would come to impact my life. Sarah possesses an innate passion for helping others and an uncommon ability to connect with “her people”; something so many professionals claim to have in earnest yet so few are truly able to achieve and sustain. Sarah also happens to be a naturally gifted, world-class crisis manager. This rare intersection of innate passion, naturally ability and 20+ years of experience provide a level of compassion, expertise and professional care that, in my experience, is simply unrivaled and uniquely Sarah Finney.

Such have been the defining hallmarks of our relationship, time and time again for over 15 years, and for which I truly owe a lifetime of gratitude. Thank you Sarah.

Travis

Client

Chicago, IL

I am an alcoholic whose drinking became progressively worse after high school. By the time I met Sarah I had failed out of college twice, destroyed my finances, burned innumerable bridges, frequently lied to and stole from my parents, and consistently alienated people who were important to me. Looking back, I understand it was a failed attempt to manage struggles with anxiety, depression and ADHD in a stressful college setting.

My parents knew nothing about addiction and while they endeavored to help me as much as possible, they were not equipped to deal with my situation on their own. Sarah took the time to sit down with me, ask me what made me tick, what my goals and aspirations were, how I viewed life, and what my history of substance abuse was. I was guarded, afraid, and still pretty foggy at the time, but she was caring and patient enough to get me to open up to her. She helped me realize that I needed help and was able to recommend the right treatment program for me. While I was there, Sarah was in constant communication with the treatment team to follow my progress, set my parents up with their own resources, and develop the best aftercare plan for me. I didn’t observe other professionals like Sarah work nearly as hard on behalf of their clients nor did I see other patients having someone “on the outside” who was as interested in their welfare and willing to advocate for them. She was absolutely invaluable to me in that position.

While in aftercare I continued to work with Sarah on a consistent basis, solving all manner of both short and long term problems. I trust Sarah and I listen to her advice because she took the time to know me. I had great fears about going back to school, as this was where my heaviest drinking took place and my self-confidence routinely crushed. Sarah was the one who gave me the motivating words I needed to return to college, where I am currently doing great!

I have hope again and with Sarah’s guidance my life is back on track, my relationships are good, and the underlying problems in my life are being managed without alcohol. If you are lucky enough to work with Sarah, you can trust that you are working with a compassionate professional who will truly invest in you. She will listen to you and work hard to provide you with the best resources and opportunities to change your life. She won’t let you down.

Geoff

Client

Toronto, Canada

Ten years ago, I was barely 14 years old and coping with debilitating OCD and depression. My hands were raw, I spent a minimum of three hours in the shower every evening, and I would not touch anyone, regardless of how close they were to me or how much I loved them. I could not make friends or maintain any kind of relationship, and despite having graduated at the top of my eighth grade class, I was unable to even attend school. I wanted so badly to end my pain, as did my parents. They sought desperately to find a way to help me get my life back.

After five months in a psychiatric facility where my symptoms became even more severe, my mom found Sarah Finney. After learning more about me, she placed me at a residential treatment center that saved my life. Throughout my eleven-month stay, Sarah showed enormous dedication to making sure I was receiving the care that I needed. She developed close relationships with my family and helped them in their own journey as well.

I have now been out of treatment for over eight years, and am currently pursuing a master's degree, have amazing friends, become closer with my family, and am in touch with myself and my emotions in ways I never anticipated ten years ago. None of this would have been possible without the incredible woman who placed me at the right treatment center. I will always be endlessly grateful for Sarah. We remain in contact to this day and she still shows me unconditional love and support.

Sara

Client

Harrington Park, NJ

Sarah came into my life when I had just about shut the door on everyone else. I was broken, lost, angry and confused...throw in a significant attitude problem, drug addiction, low self esteem and a lack of trust in those in her field, one would think I may be hard to reach. But the rapport Sarah was able to establish with me and my family from even our first interaction set the tone for the rest of the time we worked together. She pushed me to grow, learn from things I considered to be "mistakes", cope in positive ways, establish good relationships with my loved ones and overall, take ownership for my own life....and I was excited and hopeful throughout the process. It was empowering stuff and brought a new sense of self worth in my life. It's many years later and I still go into the toolbox she helped me create to cope and thrive in my life- no matter what gets thrown my way. Sarah is experienced, genuine and supportive. She does all this while practicing In ways that are rooted deeply in the ethical principles that guide her profession. Seriously the best mental health professional I've encountered.

Caroline, 

Client

Lexington, Kentucky

I've worked with a lot of Educational Consultants and Sarah certainly stands out to me as exemplary.  She comes with a solid background in clinical work and has a wealth of first hand knowledge about the programs and clinicians to which she refers.  Aside from background and expertise, what sets Sarah apart from other consultants is her intuition.  She has an uncanny sense of what will work for her clients that far surpasses others in the field.  And on top of that she fights for what her clients need--even when that fight is hard, uncomfortable or treacherous.  Parents and struggling young people are lucky to have Sarah on their team.

Molly, LCSW

Director, Outpatient Program

New York, NY

Sarah Finney stands out among the handful of the best in her field. She is clinically trained and experienced, is "hands on" with her cases, and is extremely well informed as to the best treatment resources in the United States and Canada. Sarah has referred to our treatment center, and I am always thankful and relieved to know that the referral will be appropriate, that she will provide extensive background information, and will stay involved to whichever degree is in the best interest of her client. She is a gem, and one of the truly excellent people in her field. I recommend her without hesitation or qualification.

Jeff, PhD

CEO and Executive Director,

Psychiatric Treatment Center

Kristin is awesome! She is intuitive, knowledgeable, and a great communicator. Her passion for helping others comes through in everything she does, and she is generous with her support of both clients and colleagues. Kristin is wise, insightful and a team player. She is one of the few professionals I have had the opportunity to work with that continues to meet and exceed expectations.

Ryan

CEO and Founder

Sober and Life Coaching Group

In my 10 plus years of working in recovery and mental health, I’ve never met anyone who has the combination of experience, tenacity and finesse that Sarah Finney does. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of available treatment facilities and their staffs--and she has never failed to provide me with a nuanced and comprehensive referral. Sarah has been an advocate, sounding board and support system on every case I’ve worked with her. She has incredible instincts and exhibits immense grace under pressure. Any individual, family or treatment center would be lucky to have Sarah on the case.

Peter, LMFT

Therapist, Private Practice

Los Angeles, CA

I have worked with Sarah for over a decade now. In this time I have seen the deep commitment she has for her work, the seriousness with which she approaches all her assessments and recommendations, and the care she puts into walking her families through their process from beginning to end. Sarah's clinical expertise, comprehensive knowledge of the landscape of treatment options, and ability to orchestrate successful outcomes is unparalleled. Families fortunate enough to work with [Finney Consulting] have found advocates who will unlock doors to amazing people, places, and resources that few others have access to.

Tony,

LMFT

Program Director