Sage was born in Middlebury, Vermont and at the age of 5 relocated to midcoast Maine with his family. Sage later moved to Portland, Maine to attend the University of Southern Maine where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Sociology. Remaining in Portland after finishing his undergrad Sage enrolled at the University of New England where he received his Masters Degree in Social Work.

While living in Maine, Sage worked for various non-profits serving individuals with expansive and diverse stories. Sage’s experiences have allowed him to work with Teens in active crisis and experiencing homelessness at Preble Street Teen Day Center & Night Shelter. He has provided clinical support, education, and aftercare planning for aging adults diagnosed with dementia while at Maine Medical Center’s Geriatric Psych Unit. Most recently Sage returned to his hometown of Nobleboro, Maine where he worked at The Leadership School with Kieve Wavus Education engaging midcoast youth in Social Emotional Learning.

As a therapist, Sage believes our unique stories and relationships with each other and nature are the driving forces through life. He experienced firsthand, as a youth, that when our stories are held with value and care from others we feel connected and tied to not only ourselves but to our communities. Sage’s primary therapeutic focus lies within an Acceptance and Commitment approach. Within this approach, Sage enjoys engaging adolescents in accepting and incorporating life’s natural ups and downs while developing skills and daily practices that aid them in living a value-driven life.

Sage is thrilled to begin his second year as a Mental Health Counselor at Oliverian! In his free time, you can find Sage hiking the White Mountains, reading a book in a hammock, and engaging with others about things he has yet to but is eager to know.

What do you love most about Oliverian?
Engaging students in academics is standard practice to successfully guide new generations into society but the spaces in which youth occupy to build relations to themselves, each other, and their communities, is equally as important. The Oliverian School is aware of this importance along with the functionality and benefits of a nurturing community. Because while we are often hurt within communities we are also healed within them.

What motivates you to work with kids?
Young people are incredibly adaptive and resilient individuals. I love their ability to inspire, challenge, and transform the perspectives of others around them. Their opinions and perspectives have deep value for their communities and culture and are worth being invested in and engaged with.