Sarah Swensen
Hi! My name is Sarah Swensen, and I am a warm, down-to-earth Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is passionate about helping clients navigate difficult relationships, family challenges, grief, and life’s stressors. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University and have over 14 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of helping people work through challenging experiences, better understand themselves, and find ways to move forward. My ultimate goal as your therapist is for you to feel truly heard, supported, and understood. I’m here to help you feel empowered and confident in making choices that are right for you—not to tell you what you should do, but to provide a safe space where we can work through things together.
First session
Your first therapy session will involve a lot of information gathering, but it’s also an opportunity for me to start getting to know you and what brings you to therapy. I’ll want to learn more about your history, the main stressors you’re dealing with, and what you’d like us to focus on in our sessions. The goal is to get a better understanding of the bigger picture so we can figure out together where to start and what will be most helpful for you.
Strengths
One of the biggest strengths I bring to my sessions is my ability to really listen and make people feel heard and understood. I try to meet you where you are without judgment, while also helping you recognize patterns in your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships that may be getting in the way of where you want to be. I’m compassionate and supportive, but I’m also not afraid to be honest with you or gently challenge you when I think it could help you see something differently or move forward. I believe therapy should be a place where you can be yourself, talk openly, and feel supported while also being encouraged to grow. My goal is to help you recognize your own strengths, feel more confident in yourself, and leave our sessions with a better understanding of what you need and how you want to move forward.
Ideal clients
I think we’d work really well together if you’re someone who’s spent a lot of time taking care of everyone else and aren't putting yourself first. Maybe you’re starting to question what you really need, where your boundaries should be, or why you keep finding yourself in the same patterns. You know something needs to change, but you’re just not sure where to start. If that sounds like you, we can work through it together and figure out what moving forward looks like for you.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Over time, the things we’ve experienced and the messages we’ve received from the people and world around us can start to shape how we see ourselves and affect our mood. Together, we’ll look at some of those negative thought patterns and work on challenging the ones that may be holding you back. My goal is to help you develop a more balanced way of looking at yourself and your situation, so you can feel better, build confidence, and feel more comfortable with the choices you’re making.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is a type of therapy that can help you better understand and manage intense emotions, work through painful or difficult experiences, and make positive changes in your life. It also focuses on building healthier relationships by learning how to communicate more clearly, set healthy boundaries, and respect your own needs while still being mindful of others.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I believe emotions aren’t something we need to fear or fix—they can be important signals that tell us something about what we’re experiencing and what we need. Together, we’ll explore where your emotions are coming from, what they may be trying to tell you, and how they connect to your core values. You’ll learn to better understand and trust your emotional responses while using them as a guide to make choices that feel right for you.
Compassion Focused
Sometimes, what holds us back most is the way we talk to ourselves. Self-criticism and shame can make it difficult to move forward or see ourselves with understanding. Through compassion-focused therapy, we’ll work on changing that inner dialogue and learning to treat yourself with more kindness, patience, and compassion.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Other specialties
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Licensed in
- TennesseeLicense 6778