Sarah Grace Frary, Ph.D.
Clinical-Community Psychologist | Assistant Professor, Western Carolina University
About SG
I am a clinical-community psychologist with a program of research focused on identifying resources for resilience in communities that face persistent barriers to health equity due to stigmatization or marginalization. I engage communities through Community-Based Participatory Research and co-design interventions that suit communities’ values and needs, with the goal of supporting well-being and reducing health inequity.
My research aims to use the knowledge gained through community partnership to work directly with community organizations that are empowered to make tangible change. My team and I offer resources and guidance on promoting supportive efforts that align with the values of organizations and the values of the communities they seek to support. I have a particular passion for supporting rural and under-resourced communities, queer and trans communities, people living with HIV, and people who use drugs. I have worked with local advocacy coalitions, faith communities, cultural organizations, and other teams of community researchers.
I am also a mental health clinician offering health services psychology intervention and assessment in a diversity of settings. I take an integrative approach to case conceptualization and clinical intervention through introducing experiential components of humanistic, existential, and spiritually- and culturally-informed care, based on the goals of the clients with whom I work. I ground my practice in an approach that is collaborative and rooted in the many values and experiences of the individuals with whom I work. I am deeply passionate about de-stigmatizing and de-pathologizing the many paths through pain and suffering, and moving with others through their search for self-compassion. I also have a background in general psychological assessment and health psychology assessments for the purpose of drafting pre-surgical letters of support.
My values as a clinical-community psychologist motivate my methods and philosophies in my research, teaching, and clinical practice. I take a critical eye to psychological practice. I love mentoring and teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and I strive to always hold the mindset of a student myself. I believe in the healing power of radical acceptance and self-compassion, while holding firm to faith in radical change and collective care. You’ll find on this site news and updates about my work and that of my collaborators. I welcome any inquiries or requests for partnership at this link, or the contact button above.
Recent publications
Miller, S. J., Frary, S.G., Wu, E.G., Chu, W., Moskal, M., Bodalski, E. A., & Harrison, S.E. (2025). A qualitative analysis of organizational practices to support peer support workers in the substance use disorder recovery field. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-025-09980-0
News
The pre-print of my team’s first manuscript from our Hospitality and Harm Reduction group of projects has been published in Harm Reduction Journal. I’m incredibly proud of the work of my team!
I’d like to extend a congratulations to Thomas Bellanger, B.S., an esteemed collaborator who has been accepted into a doctoral program in school psychology starting in the 2026-2027 academic year!
Site Updated August 16, 2026
Sarah Grace Frary, Ph.D. 