Sarah Saffian, Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Psychotherapy Privilege, MFA

I counsel individuals, couples, and groups, with empathy, clarity, and humor. My hybrid style is mindful and practical, and infused with unconditional positive regard for you. I consider myself another person in the room, not a blank slate, and the two of us as a team, working together through what's coming up for you as you navigate your way toward greater peace and fulfillment. I come to therapy from a writing and teaching background. I published a memoir, Ithaka, teach memoir-writing at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, and work as a writing coach. Drawing upon my varied experiences and interests, I've created an approach to therapy that I call Therapeutic Writing. When appropriate, I encourage groups and individuals to use memoir exercises to deepen self-reflection, processing of issues, and discovery. With individuals, these writing exercises can serve as springboards for exploration in session; with groups, I alternate between on-the-spot periods of writing and discussion about what emerges. "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." -- Carl Rogers