Sara Tillman

(she/her)

LISW, 23 years of experience

Often rebooked

Authentic
Warm
Solution oriented
VirtualAvailable

With over 20 years of experience in the children services field, I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-S) dedicated to empowering individuals and families to overcome adversity and build resilient futures. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University. My practice is rooted in the belief that a person’s past does not define their future. Using evidence-based approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I help clients identify and challenge thinking errors, develop coping strategies, and rediscover their strengths. My mission is to foster hope, healing, and long-term in the live of others.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session together, we’ll begin with brief introductions to help establish a comfortable and collaborative space. From there, we’ll explore the specific challenges you’re facing—whether personal, relational, or situational. This conversation will guide me in creating a tailored plan that aligns with your goals and values. In follow-up sessions, we’ll use evidence-based approaches like Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify thinking patterns, build coping strategies, and move forward with confidence. Your past may shape your story, but it doesn’t define your future—and I’m here to walk alongside you as you write the next chapter.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I specialize in working with individuals who are navigating significant life changes—whether personal, relational, or professional. My approach begins with identifying the root causes of your challenges, not just the symptoms. From there, I develop a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and values, leading to measurable progress and lasting transformation. Together, we’ll use evidence-based techniques to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am best positioned to support individuals who are experiencing situational depression or anxiety related to life transitions, stress, or challenging circumstances. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward, and are looking for practical tools as well as a supportive space to process what they’re going through. I work well with clients across a variety of age groups and backgrounds who are motivated to make meaningful changes in their lives. Whether you’re navigating a specific life event, struggling with increased stress, or trying to regain a sense of balance, I focus on helping you build insight, develop coping strategies, and move toward your personal goals. My approach is collaborative and goal-oriented, and I value working with clients who are open to self-reflection and ready to take active steps toward growth and healing.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Child or Adolescent

Other specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

Children (6 to 12)

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Motivational Interviewing

The primary goal of motivational interviewing is to help individuals identify and resolve inner conflicts, build self-confidence, and strengthen their motivation to change behaviors that may be negatively impacting their lives. This approach fosters a collaborative, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and empowered. By enhancing intrinsic motivation and reinforcing personal agency, motivational interviewing guides individuals toward making meaningful, self-directed changes that align with their values and goals.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT coping skills are designed to help individuals manage difficult situations more effectively by addressing both physical and mental responses. One key technique involves learning how to relax the body—because when the body is calm, the mind can follow. CBT also teaches you to reframe how you interpret circumstances and events, fostering a more positive and balanced outlook. This process begins by identifying common thinking errors—like catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, or overgeneralizing—and then learning practical strategies to challenge and replace those patterns with healthier, more constructive thoughts.

Supportive

I create a supportive and collaborative space where clients can feel heard, valued, and understood. My approach is compassionate and practical—I focus on helping people strengthen their sense of self, build coping skills, and create meaningful change in their lives. I use a blend of evidence-based therapies and creative techniques to meet each client where they are. Sessions may include conversation, reflection, and sometimes expressive tools like art, writing, or play—especially with children and teens—to help make emotions and experiences easier to understand and express. Whether we’re working on anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, or life transitions, my goal is to help clients feel more grounded, confident, and connected to who they are. Therapy with me is a space to explore challenges, celebrate progress, and develop the tools to move forward with greater clarity and resilience.

, 29 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

January 17, 2026

This was my second session with Sara. She is very good at recognizing patterns of thinking and gave me a strong tool to reframe how I am looking at certain situations to give me back control.

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 2 with Sara

May 2, 2025

Sara is a God send for Grow therapy. I’ve had some good therapists but none like her. She actually cares about my well being and makes me feel respected and valued. <3

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 7 with Sara

March 19, 2025

Very professional and made me feel comfortable.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 1 with Sara