Welcome to WillFull Journey’s, a space where emotional wellness, authentic connection, and lived experience come together. I’m Will Sawyer, a licensed psychotherapist, equestrian, and founder of this practice. My days are spent helping people move toward healing—whether they’re struggling with anxiety, navigating identity transitions, working through relationship stress, or searching for a deeper connection with themselves and others.
But before the therapy sessions begin, my day starts somewhere else entirely with a horse named Herbie.
Grounding the Day in Stillness
Each morning, before I sit across from a client, I’m at the barn. Herbie, my Rhinelander gelding, has taught me more about presence and patience than any textbook ever could. Grooming him is a daily ritual, a time to settle, to connect, and to listen. There’s something profound about starting the day in that quiet rhythm. It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up consistently.
In many ways, this mirrors what I offer my clients: grounded presence, consistency, and a safe space to process what’s real. Whether I’m supporting a high-conflict couple or a teenager struggling with anxiety, I draw from this grounded energy, anchored in the understanding that healing is a process, not a destination.
The Intersection of Therapy and Lived Experience
Being a psychotherapist isn’t just what I do, it’s a reflection of who I am. My life has been far from linear. I left high school early, became a father young, and spent years searching for my authentic self. Eventually, I returned to school, earned multiple degrees, and embraced my identity as a gay man. That journey, filled with challenge, resilience, and self-discovery, informs every session I hold.
Roughly half of my clients identify as LGBTQIA+. Others are equestrians, couples in crisis, or individuals navigating deep emotional pain. What unites them all is the desire for change—for clarity, peace, and reconnection. I meet each client where they are, combining evidence-based practices like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the Gottman Method with the kind of insight that only lived experience can offer.
Supporting Equestrians Beyond the Arena
For equestrians, mental health can be particularly nuanced. Riding isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle that requires physical skill, emotional presence, and often, a significant personal sacrifice. I understand the mental pressure of training, the fear that follows a fall, and the emotional connection that develops between horse and rider. As someone who has competed and continues to train in the show jumping world, I bring real-world empathy to equestrian clients.
Whether a rider is struggling with show-day anxiety, burnout, or the impact of neurodivergence, I offer a therapeutic space tailored to their needs. I help them manage perfectionism, rebuild confidence after trauma, and stay connected with their passion in a way that feels sustainable.
Working with High-Conflict Couples
Another area of deep focus in my practice is couples therapy, especially with partners who find themselves stuck in cycles of miscommunication, mistrust, and emotional reactivity. I specialize in high-conflict relationships where one or both individuals may be experiencing disruptive symptoms such as sleep disturbances, emotional outbursts, anxiety, and flashbacks. Many of these couples are navigating betrayal, trauma, or major identity shifts.
Using methods from the Gottman Institute and insights from relational experts like Esther Perel, I help couples identify patterns that no longer serve them. We work on replacing harmful communication habits criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling, with healthier alternatives, such as repair attempts, gentle starts, and emotional attunement. Together, we build a foundation rooted in trust, understanding, and shared goals.
Inclusive, Affirming Therapy for the LGBTQIA+ Community
At Will(Full) Journey’s, inclusion is not just a value, it’s a foundational part of the work. I provide affirming, expert care for LGBTQIA+ clients, including those exploring gender identity, undergoing transition, or navigating the complexities of coming out. I’ve completed extensive training through WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) to ensure that my support is both respectful and clinically informed.
My practice is a safe, affirming space where people from all walks of life, BIPOC, neurodivergent individuals, people of faith, and non-traditional families can feel seen, supported, and respected.
Therapy That Honors the Whole Person
Every session is unique, but the goal is always the same: to help you feel more connected to yourself, your values, and your relationships. Therapy at Will(Full) Journey’s is not about diagnosis or labels; it’s about discovering what’s meaningful, processing what’s painful, and learning how to move forward in a way that aligns with your truth.
For individuals, this might mean building resilience after trauma, improving self-esteem, or navigating a major life change. For couples, it may involve rekindling intimacy, resolving conflict, or exploring the impact of past experiences on current dynamics.
Life Beyond the Therapy Room
When the day winds down, I return to the barn or home to my husband, Bill, and our Corgi, Bindi. Our family life, like anyone else’s, has its routines, its laughter, and its hard-earned moments of grace. My journey—from dropout to therapist, from the closet to living authentically—reminds me daily that transformation is always possible.
That’s what this blog is about: real stories, practical insights, and reflections from the heart of a life spent in service to growth—my own and others’. You’ll find posts here about mental health, couples therapy, equestrian life, LGBTQIA+ experiences, and wellness. Each entry is written with the same care I bring to my sessions with honesty, intention, and a belief that healing is within reach.
Start Your WillFull Journey Today
If you’re ready to explore therapy, whether for yourself, your relationship, or your emotional wellness as a rider, I invite you to take the first step. I offer virtual sessions across Florida and Minnesota, and I’m currently accepting new clients.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment, I’d be honored to support your journey.
You don’t have to go through it alone. Together, we can create a path forward toward clarity, connection, and emotional freedom.
