Welcome.
Holistic and affirming therapy where together, we work on what’s important to you.
Hi, I’m Sarah -
My approach to therapy is grounded in an understanding that our lived experiences are informed by our environments and the identities we hold. With collaboration and curiosity, my intention is to build warm, connected, and sturdy therapeutic relationships that offer space for you to show up as you are and figure out who you want to be. I orient towards relational and psychodynamic frameworks, queer theory, harm reduction, and transformative justice, all of which shape how I make meaning both in the world and in sessions with clients. My therapeutic style emphasizes autonomy and honors the ways you have adapted to manage challenging experiences throughout your life. I am very much myself in sessions, which means that we laugh when things are funny and I will thoughtfully share interpretations and reflections with you.
Outside of private practice I have worked therapeutically with survivors of harm and people who have harmed a partner, and have facilitated restorative justice processes related to experiences of harm. I have also designed and implemented curriculum for students with disabilities and worked in advocacy in disability justice spaces.
My current practice is further shaped by my own life experiences that have become central to how I make meaning in the world. Music and movement have always been for me spaces of play, connection, and expression, through playing violin throughout my life (and now doing the hard work of being a beginner at other instruments), playing basketball in college, and exploring the woods and mountains on foot. I integrate these experiences to support you in finding your own spaces of joy and ease, even while exploring challenging and sometimes painful experiences. I live in Philadelphia, PA with my sweet and scared dog, Banjo.
If this resonates, I encourage you to reach out!
MY APPROACH
Education:
BA, Sociology and Anthropology, Middlebury College
MSW, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice
EFT Externship, Philadelphia Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy
EMDR Therapy Certified, Institute for Creative Mindfulness
Restorative Justice Facilitation, Ampersands Restorative Justice
Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Medical Associates International
LCSW, licensed in Pennsylvania: CW023418
AREAS OF PRACTICE
gender and identity exploration
grief and loss
relationship challenges (sex and intimacy, shifts in relationship structures, conflict)
current and former college athletes/sport performance
supporting loved ones who are queer and or/trans
experiences of trauma (sexual, religious, childhood)
body image
navigating polyamory/nonmonogamy
depression and anxiety
Offerings
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Individual Therapy
My therapeutic practice draws largely from relational and psychodynamic theories, which considers the therapeutic relationship as a place where attachment patterns arise, and a place where new patterns can be made. I have additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), which can be a meaningful support for processing traumatic experiences. My therapeutic style is warm and grounded, deeply curious, and collaborative.
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Relationship Therapy
Relationship therapy can be a space for romantic partners, sexual partners, friends, family members, business partners, and more to explore how they relate to each other and the world. I draw on my training in Emotionally Focused Therapy to support building capacity for clearer communication and understanding of feelings between partners. My practice is inclusive of relationships that include more than two people, including polyamorous and non-monogamous relationship structures.
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Facilitation
I draw on training in restorative justice facilitation and transformative justice principles to support repair processes and work towards shifting the conditions to decrease future harms. Processes are specifically tailored on a case-by-case basis. I will often collaborate with other practitioners to best facilitate meaningful processes. Please reach out if you are interested in learning more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My fee for individual 50-minute sessions is $150. Couples and relationship sessions are $185. I hold a number of sliding scale spots for people with limited access to resources in an effort to make therapy more accessible. While I don’t take insurance, I can provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
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I offer a free 20 minute consultation for us to get a sense of if we are a good fit to work together. I’ll ask some questions about what you are looking for, relevant past therapeutic experiences, and any goals you might have for therapy. You are also welcome to ask questions you might have about my approach. If we agree to move forward after the consultation, I’ll send over intake paperwork and we’ll discuss scheduling.
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It can be really hard to find the right therapist. Research has shown that the relationship between therapist and client is the strongest predictor of positive client outcomes in therapy. Some questions you can consider are “does it seem like I will feel heard and understood?” “does it feel like we could build connection with one another?” and “is there curiosity about my experiences?” I encourage people to talk to several therapists in their process of selecting a provider. It’s possible that we won’t be the right fit for each other, and I would be happy to offer referrals if that is the case.
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Everyone’s experience in therapy is different, but part of my role is building safety with you so that over time, you feel supported in exploring feelings, challenging experiences, and relationship dynamics. I aim to support you in approaching sensations and feelings with curiosity, and I trust that you know yourself best. I emphasize choice and collaboration, so there will be space to explore how therapy is feeling for you over time. Therapy can often feel heavy but there is also plenty of room for joy, laughter, and ease.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length and occur over a HIPAA-compliant video platform.
