New to Grow
Hi! My name is Sarah Silverman, I have been working in the field of mental health for over eight years. I have experience working in a variety of settings, but getting to work individually with clients in outpatient therapy is my absolute favorite. I am often described as having a calming and empathetic personality. In my spare time, I love spending time with friends, cuddling my two orange cats, trying out a new delicious food, reading, or playing video games.
During our first session, my goal is to make sure that you feel comfortable, safe, and supported. We will spend time getting to know each other, understanding what you have been experiencing and what you hope changes, and working on setting goals for treatment. I believe you are the expert in your own life, so treatment goals will always be focused on your own hopes and desires, and we will follow a pace that feels comfortable to you.
I am often described as having a calming, gentle, and empathetic approach. Whether it is your first time in therapy, or you have been doing this for awhile, you will feel safe and heard. I use a combination of validation and challenging to help you continue to feel safe and heard, while being able to push towards the goals you want for yourself.
Clients I am best positioned to serve include those who have been dealing with anxiety and depression for a long time, struggling with their racing thoughts or motivation, who want to take that control back. I also love working with teenagers or young adults who may be unsure of themselves, trying to figure out their life currently, as well as their future life goals. Those who are trying to find their calm and work towards building a life they want to live. If any of that sounds like you, I'd love to work with you!
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have received extensive training in DBT and have utilized it for many years. I will often assist you with learning and practicing DBT skills in sessions, including ways to increase feeling present in the moment, regulating your emotions, and increasing healthy relationships with others. DBT has a belief about "building a life worth living" and that is my goal for you.
Relational
In sessions, we will explore your relationships with others and work on improving them. Understanding how past relationships and experiences impact your current will also be explored. As the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is very important in this treatment method, importance will be placed on you feeling comfortable and connected with me being genuine. I want you to feel like you are working with an actual person, rather than someone robotic.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing in sessions to assist you with exploring and processing your current experiences to then set goals and work towards changing behaviors or parts of your life. This includes asking you open-ended questions so I can best understand your experiences, and you can understand your patterns. This would also allow for you to explore those barriers that are preventing changes from happening, and work towards ways to overcome that.
Gender-affirming therapy
Gender-affirming care is provided throughout the treatment process, including validating and exploring your identity, and learning ways to cope with stigma and any other associated difficulties.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is utilized with children, preteen, and teen (when appropriate) clients to work on processing their experiences, problem-solving, emotion regulation, boundary-setting, and communication.