Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Before becoming a psychiatric provider, Sarah Moody, PMHNP-BC, spent 10 years as a bedside nurse, the majority of those in pediatric ICU, pediatric and neonatal flight nursing, and trauma and emergency care.
Education and Background
Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida and her Master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Originally from Orlando, FL, she made her way to Arizona by way of South Bend, IN, and started with Serenity the same year she completed her graduate training. Her decade of bedside nursing across some of the highest-acuity settings in pediatric and emergency medicine gives her a clinical foundation that is both broad and deeply compassionate.
Throughout all of those experiences, she found that the days she felt she made the biggest difference were the days she had the opportunity to truly listen. That realization, along with a gentle nudge from her husband Chad, led her to psychiatric care, and she hasn’t looked back.
Care Philosophy
Sarah’s approach to care is rooted in the belief that mental and physical health are deeply connected, and you can’t fully treat one without considering the other. She takes a collaborative, holistic approach that goes beyond medication alone, emphasizing lifestyle changes, TMS, movement, mindfulness, and other supportive practices. She believes real, lasting change comes from understanding the whole person.
She also believes that every emotion serves a purpose and tells us something important. Rather than dismissing difficult feelings, Sarah focuses on helping patients understand where they’re coming from, because it’s through that understanding that real progress happens. She knows what it feels like to struggle with mental health, grief, loss, and stress, and she has personally experienced the healing power of empathetic, honest care. She strives to offer that same experience to every patient she works with.
Personal Interests
Outside of the clinic, Sarah loves exploring everything Arizona has to offer, from the Grand Canyon and skiing in Flagstaff to hiking in Sedona and paddleboarding the Salt River. She’s a devoted fan of Phoenix’s restaurant scene and enjoys traveling, Reformer Pilates, and spending time with her husband and children. She’s a mom to one and stepmom to three, and she’s deeply (and sometimes painfully) emotionally invested in her Florida Gators, Green Bay Packers, and Edmonton Oilers.
What to Expect
In your first session with Sarah, you can expect a nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported. She asks a lot of questions, but she spends just as much time listening, not to respond, but to understand. She doesn’t expect to cover everything in one visit. Instead, she uses that first session as a strong foundation to build on over time. Patients can expect her to be kind and empathetic, but also straightforward and honest. She doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations, and her priority is always to help in a meaningful way with your best interests at the center.