Sarah Hartzell, LCSW + 1
Message from Sarah
As a queer, nonbinary community organizer, I experienced firsthand how common it is to be burned out, dismissed, and depleted in our culture, especially when working for social change. In my own practice as a martial artist, I found that inhabiting my body more fully was key to health and empowerment. I chose to train in social work and somatic therapy to support people in generating the bodily autonomy and empowerment necessary to navigate significant life transitions with choice. We all deserve dignity, safety, community, and connection. However you are, and whatever you are holding and feeling, is welcome. Through an embodied, holistic, and liberatory approach, it is my hope that our work together will generate a greater sense of safety, health, and resilience within your body, your relationships, and your work.
About Sarah's practice
Weekdays After 5pm
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
$$$
Sliding scale
Directive
Reflective
Body-based
In-person available: Yes
Virtual available: Yes
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Justice
Trauma
LGBTQIA-Related Stress
Existential Crisis or Transition
Self-Reflection
Anxiety
Out of network providers
NY
Why state matters
Get to Know Sarah
"I enthusiastically recommend Sarah Hartzell to anyone looking for a supportive and efficacious therapist. They are multiculturally competent and well versed in LGBTQ issues; someone who can trust and support you through both positive and negative moments in your life. Sarah's professionalism and attentiveness to their clients' needs create a welcoming atmosphere for exploring any number of topics."
Captain Soderstrom, Ed.M., MHC-LP, Colleague
"Sarah embodies radical acceptance and impervious empathy so deeply that these values are clearly fundamental components of who they are. At their core, Sarah is a practitioner and healer whose dedication to their craft is present in everything they do."
Mia Mikowicz, LMSW, Colleague
Please share 2-3 anonymized examples of how the work can play out and/or look in the room so that I can form a visual or narrative of what to expect.
Often someone comes in because they are feeling depression, anxious, fear or shame. We can dig into what that’s coming from and approach it with short and long term goals. We usually start with skills and tools to reduce the impact of their immediate needs. Our work may include talking about past experiences and long term changes in world-view and beliefs. This can become work about emotional and spiritual integration and healing as well. Often, people come in knowing a specific thing is affecting their wellbeing - like burnout or a traumatic experience. We spend time building trust and getting to know each other at first, we talk about the current resources and skills that are helping. Then, as we build a foundation, we also start working with the experience or history, building up the skills already in place and brining in new ones as needed. Sometimes, people come in for support in life changes and transitions, like changing career paths, ending a relationship, coming out at work or to family, and spiritual changes as well. This can be short term therapy, and often other aspects of someone’s life and feelings end up coming in the room too. I also work with folks because they want a space for their feelings as a part of their overall health and wellness. Therapy can be a useful and important part of self-care, especially if we experience oppression or have been taught that our feelings aren’t welcome.
What is unique about the work you do, or how have you found your work to be different than your colleagues'?
My approach is very egalitarian. Your value systems, and your desire for change are the most important guide of our work. I also have a pretty wide experience with holistic health and spirituality. People appreciate being believed, supported and trusted about their world view, and being able to bring their full selves to therapy.
Are there any philosophies or values that inform your work that I should know about?
My foundational belief is that we all deserve dignity, safety, community and connection. I believe that you know yourself best—and that therapy should be directed by your goals. My own philosophies and values are a part of my experience. In therapy what is true for you is what’s most important—even where our values or philosophies are different.
Have you received any particular training beyond your post-Bachelor's training?
I have somatics for trauma training through the Generative Somatics and Strozzi Institutes, focused on embodied practice when working with trauma. I am fully trained in EMDR through the Parnell Institute, and have trained in the Flash technique as well.
What is the best part of the work for you?
It is an honor to see people show up for themselves, for their growth, healing and liberty. When folks tell me they’ve done something that wasn’t just hard, but was previously unimaginable for them, I am overjoyed.
Is there ever a time when you would encourage me to leave or graduate? Or how do I know when it's time to end or move on, or time to stay and explore more?
When folks want a specific experience or issue to get easier, or more manageable—and then it does—that can be a time they decide to graduate from therapy. Sometimes we will discover together that you want or need a therapist with specific skills (like, exposure therapy, or formal psychoanalysis) that I don’t provide. If that happens we work together to find a new therapist who offers what you need.
How will our relationship be different than relationships I have with friends/loved ones?
The therapeutic relationship is different than other relationships, because the point of our relationship is your healing and support. Also, we try to take away the pressure many people feel to please, entertain or support others instead of themselves—therapy is all about you getting to show up fully and honestly.
How should I prepare for my first session with you?
Try not to worry too much about the first session. It’s a conversation, and we don’t have to cover everything at once. We’re getting to know each other and begin talking about what you are looking for and if I am a good fit for you.
How participatory are you during sessions?
I ask questions and offer reflections on themes and impressions—but I want the person seeking therapy to lead the conversation.
How much do you share about yourself during our time together and why?
I often share what I am noticing or experiencing in the room. I do not believe that a therapist can be a blank slate; we’re in the room with you and therapy is a relationship. But, I don’t share much about myself because, often, part of the therapy is learning that others can take care of their emotional reactions, and that we can be honest and messy without being rejected or shut out—even in relationship with our therapist.
How long should I commit to being in therapy, at least in the beginning?
I suggest planning on six months to try therapy at the beginning. It takes some time to get to know each other and build trust at the beginning.
How do you approach diversity in the room or working with clients who may come from a different background than you?
Diversity is always in the room. I approach it by naming it. As a social worker and community organizer I believe in working across difference towards change. I am committed to believing your experience, and to the ongoing process of my own outside learning.
How can you tell if I am feeling stuck, unseen, or unheard?
I can tell you if I have the impression that you’re feeling something—including stuck, unseen or unheard. And, I will ask if my impression is correct, and ask you to share about what feels off in the situation, to help me understand you and what you really are feeling and experiencing.
How can you tell if I am benefiting from working with you?
People tell me when the work is beneficial by sharing that something we talked about previously stayed with them and helped, or by sharing new and vulnerable parts of themselves. We also check in about what’s working, or not, and how your goals for therapy are evolving.
From your perspective, what is therapy?
Therapy is a chance to learn and practice new skills when our ways of coping with anxiety, depression, stress or grief aren’t working how we want them to. Therapy is also a chance to build trust with someone and learn that we’re okay and accepted just as we are—including the parts that feel messy, scary, awkward and shameful.
Do you assign homework, activities, or readings for me to do between sessions? Why or why not?
I may suggest readings, practices or resources for someone to follow up on if they want. However, I generally do not give homework and assignments—I like people to notice their own initiative and feel this is ultimately more empowering.