Sarah Stifler, LMFT
Verified background check
Message from Sarah
I am a nature seeker, avid dog lover, and believe in the healing power of therapy, art, humor, and meditation. I work directly with clients to better understand and alleviate experiences of depression, anxiety and the impacts of trauma on daily functioning and their relationships. I earned a Masters of Art in Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles and have completed the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program at the Los Angeles Institute & Society for Psychoanalytic Studies. Prior to my work in psychology, I earned a graduate degree in art history and spent several decades working in communications and the arts which has proved to be a generous and fruitful foundation for my work as a psychotherapist. I am certified in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) which focuses on nervous system regulation through a variety of somatic grounding techniques and have an active and ongoing meditation practice.
About Sarah's practice
Weekdays After 5pm
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
$$$
Sliding scale
Directive
Reflective
Body-based
In-person available: No
Virtual available: Yes
Existential Crisis or Transition
Artist-Related Stress
Depression
Mid-Life Crisis
Quarter-Life Crisis
Anxiety
Trauma
Out of network providers
CA
Why state matters
Get to Know Sarah
"Sarah is a wonderful therapist with a brilliant mind, great curiosity, and a desire for her clients to thrive. She is patient and warm while finding core concerns. Sarah brings unrivaled enthusiasm to her work and has a real ability to help others heal."
Kathryn Andrews, Colleague
"Sarah is a thoughtful and confident clinician who is a wellspring of knowledge and wisdom. Anyone looking for a profoundly safe and nurturing space for deep reflection and lasting change will be greatly benefitted by working with her."
Sonny Granade, Colleague
"Sarah has a sharp mind and warm heart. Her curiosity and steady presence helps her clients gain the courage to turn toward their suffering in order to heal themselves and return to a state of freedom and aliveness. I can't recommend Sarah highly enough."
Linzie Janis, Colleague
"Sarah approaches therapy with abundant compassion and intelligence. She will collaborate with you to build awareness of your strengths and emotions to foster growth. She is an incredible colleague and it's an honor to recommend her as a therapist."
Shana Lutker, Colleague
"Sarah has been a close colleague of mine for several years and I have seen firsthand her warmth, intelligence, and keen clinical insight. She is an incredibly-gifted therapist, and any client would be lucky to have her in their corner."
Tim Dvorak, Colleague
"Sarah is equally brilliant and empathic, a powerful combination. I've learned a lot from her inquisitive and passionate heart. Any client would be so lucky to work with her. We need more Sarahs in the world!"
Ben C Berstein, Colleague
What is the best part of the work for you?
Getting to know my clients, hearing their stories and witnessing their growth. This work is about courageously exploring what in means to be human in all its forms - the joy, the fear, the pain, and the beauty.
How participatory are you during sessions?
The time and the sessions are yours and no two clients and no two sessions are alike. The character and level of my participation ebbs and flows as the situation and clients requires. When the moment painful I hold space tenderly. I am not shy about pointing out patterns of behavior or highlighting metaphors that may encourage a deepening in the work. Finally, I believe that humor is an important part of the healing process and often have occasion to laugh with my clients.
From your perspective, what is therapy?
Therapy is a journey of healing and self discovery. I work in an eclectic way borrowing from a variety of different therapeutic styles with a decidedly psychodynamic lens and somatic focus. This means that I help you connect your mind as well as your feelings to your body and trace patterns connecting your past to your present so that you can create a more intentional and meaningful future. Therapy has the ability to help us feel more connection and vitality which always creates a more meaningful life.