Hello, and welcome to my page! I have been in social work for the past seven years and working as a therapist for the last five. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a diverse range of clients, from children to adults, addressing a variety of challenges and goals. My approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on understanding the connection between thoughts and actions. I also take a client-centered, strengths-based approach, emphasizing your many positive qualities and applying them to the growth and changes you’re seeking. I strive to create a comfortable, non-judgmental space where you can feel at ease—because I know how challenging the therapeutic process can be. The more comfortable you feel, the more meaningful work we can accomplish together. I tailor my approach to fit each client’s unique needs, ensuring that therapy is both effective and supportive. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

I love introductions! In our first session, I want to take the time to understand what’s bringing you to therapy—whether it’s something specific or simply a journey you wanted to explore. You’ll have plenty of space to share your recent experiences, and I’ll ask questions as needed to gain a clearer picture. I believe therapy should always be client-centered, with me as a guiding point. Whether you feel comfortable leading the conversation or prefer a bit more direction, I’m here to support you. If we both feel a little structure could be helpful, I can administer an assessment to provide meaningful insights that may be influencing how you’re feeling. I also believe it’s important for you to feel comfortable with your therapist, so I’ll set aside time for you to ask any questions about me as well. I look forward to getting to know you!

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

As a therapist, I believe I have many strengths, with my biggest being empathy, adaptability, warmth, and a laid-back approach to sessions. Empathy Empathy is at the core of my practice. A common misconception I encounter is the belief that therapists must have personally experienced what their clients have in order to truly understand them. The reality is, I may never share my clients' exact experiences, but I can deeply empathize with the emotions they bring into the space. When we empathize, we aren’t saying, “I’ve been through the same thing,” but rather, “I understand those feelings, and I’m here to support you through them.” Adaptability Every person is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Throughout my career, I have worked with a wide range of individuals, including formerly incarcerated people, those struggling with substance use, college students, children and families in school settings, individuals experiencing homelessness, and active community members. I’ve built strong and meaningful therapeutic relationships across these diverse groups, and I believe my ability to adapt has been a key factor in that success. My approach is always tailored to meet you where you are. Warmth With warmth comes comfort—and in therapy, comfort fosters openness. In my experience, the most successful sessions happen when a client feels safe, free of judgment, and confident that they can express themselves authentically. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, valued, and celebrated for who you are. A Laid-Back Approach I take a laid-back approach because I believe it humanizes me as a therapist. I don’t want to come across as distant or overly clinical, nor do I want sessions to feel like a lecture. My goal is to create a natural and inviting space where you feel comfortable being yourself. Of course, I’m adaptable—if a more structured, clinical approach is what works best for you, I can absolutely accommodate that! But by default, I lead with a relaxed and welcoming energy to make sessions feel as natural as possible.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

Over the past seven years, I have worked with clients across all age groups, from as young as six to as old as 70. While the majority of my experience has been with adults (21 and older), I also spent a year working in a Brooklyn middle school. Though I feel most experienced in working with adults, I have a deep understanding of how to support children and young adults as well. I have had the privilege of working with clients facing a wide range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, various personality disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Building strong rapport and fostering a solid therapeutic alliance has been at the core of my practice. I have witnessed my clients make incredible strides, creating and maintaining meaningful, positive change in their lives.

About Sarah Sayres