Sarah  Saffian
Vetted

Sarah Saffian

She/Her/Hers

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW-R Master of Fine Arts, MFA Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
New York Accepting Online
Brooklyn Heights Accepting In-person
Updated May 8, 2023

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship issues
  • Adoption & foster care
  • Infertility counseling
  • Loss, grief, and bereavement

Professional statement

Sarah Saffian approaches her work as a psychotherapist with empathy, clarity, and humor. Her hybrid style is mindful and practical, and infused with unconditional positive regard for her clients. She works with adults in areas including anxiety, depression, adoption, infertility, perinatal, sexuality, loss and grief, relationships, and life stage transitions.

In addition to being a therapist, Sarah is also a writer and a teacher. Her memoir, Ithaka, chronicles her experience of being an adoptee who was found by her biological family. She has taught memoir and journalism at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, Sarah Lawrence College, NYU, and the New School. She has also contributed to publications including The New York Times, Yoga Journal, The Village Voice, and The San Francisco Chronicle, and created an online course about identity through Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

Blending her two main areas of interest and expertise, Sarah has created a model called Therapeutic Writing, using memoir prompts as a frame through which to examine experiences, encouraging deeper, clearer self-reflection, processing, and discovery. When appropriate, she uses Therapeutic Writing with individual clients, as well as in group workshops.

Sarah counsels individuals, couples, and groups in private practice, both virtually and in-person in Brooklyn Heights.


Message to clients

As a therapist, I consider myself another person in the room, not a blank slate, and the two of us as a team, working together interactively as you navigate your way toward greater peace and fulfillment.

Whether you're hankering for a "tune up," or in crisis, or grappling with serious, complex issues, or anything in between -- going to therapy is caring for yourself, and therefore an act of great strength and courage. Deciding to seek therapy is the first crucial step on the path to emotional and mental wellness.

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." -- Carl Rogers


Specialties

Anxiety - Cultivating coping skills to dial down excessive worry, nervousness, and stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); obsessive ruminating and behaviors; catastrophic thinking; fears and phobias

Depression - Promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Relationship issues - Understanding and expressing wants and needs in relationships; managing expectations and boundaries; exploring patterns of interaction, cultivating clearer communication; strengthening satisfaction in romantic, familial, friend, and professional relationships

Adoption & foster care - Support for adult adoptees (domestic, international, transracial) around issues including identity, abandonment and attachment, navigating search and reunion. Support for adoptive parents around pre- and post-adoption issues including family dynamics, identity integration, and attachment issues

Infertility counseling - Understanding infertility options for interventions; exploring emotions and thoughts and cultivating coping skills during the process

Loss, grief, and bereavement - Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)

Insurance

Sarah Saffian is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $225 (45min)
  • Sliding scale: $100 - $225

Additional session information

Therapist's note

Couples: $300/session, 60min


Location(s)

Online Sessions (New York)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Please inquire about hours
  • Tue Please inquire about hours
  • Wed Please inquire about hours
  • Thu Please inquire about hours
  • Fri Please inquire about hours
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Brooklyn Heights practice
26 Court Street, Suite 301, Brooklyn, New York 11242
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue Closed
  • Wed Please inquire about hours
  • Thu Closed
  • Fri Please inquire about hours
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Private Practice, Psychotherapist, 2015 - Present
Spence-Chapin Services for Families and Children, Mental Health Clinician, 2014 - 2017
Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center, Counselor, 2014 - 2016
Counseling and Wellness Services, NYU, Counselor, 2013 - 2014

New York University, MSW, Phi Alpha Honors Society, 2014
Columbia University, MFA, Creative Writing, Merit Scholar, 1998
Brown University, BA, English, Honors, 1991


Licensure

New York: R087220


Languages

English