Sarah Porell, LICSW
Do you feel overwhelmed by life?
- Do you feel like you’re doing so much, yet it’s never enough?
- Do you struggle with feeling not good enough—or like you don’t quite matter?
- Do you have a committee of inner critics constantly telling you that you’re failing, falling short, or getting it wrong?
- Does the word “should” show up often in your thoughts or conversations?
- Do you work hard to please others—or at least to avoid disappointing or upsetting them?
- Do you feel burdened by caregiving?
- Do you carry a quiet, persistent fear that something is wrong with you, and that others might eventually find out?
- Do you feel disconnected from yourself? Your body? Your relationships? Your sense of purpose?
If any of these questions resonate with you – WELCOME. You are not alone. Change is possible. Therapy can help.
About Me
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a dual degree in social work and pastoral ministry, and advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and spiritual direction. My work has been wonderfully shaped by a long career in medical social work, where I accompanied patients and their families through acute and chronic illness, mental health challenges, caregiving, and complex life transitions.
While I have extensive professional experience and training, some of my most meaningful learning has come from my own life and inner work. I know personally what it is like to sit with grief, uncertainty, and the long, nonlinear process of healing. This lived experience informs how I show up—with warmth, authenticity, and deep respect for the courage it takes to turn toward one’s inner world.
Sarah Porell, LISCW
My Approach
In my practice, I offer a steady, gentle and compassionate presence and a space where all parts of you are welcome. My approach integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Polyvagal theory, mindfulness, 12-Step recovery frameworks, and my background in medical social work. When helpful and/or requested, I also draw upon my training in spiritual direction.
In my work with clients, I seek a balance between exploring the past for insight and working in the present to create more ease, connection, and agency. We work together at a pace that feels safe, honoring both the wisdom clients’ already carry and the possibility of meaningful change. My goal is to create a safe space of support and guidance to foster self-compassion, self-awareness and concrete skills to help clients begin to move beyond familiar limitations and toward a life that feels more authentic, connected, alive and free.
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”
Chuang Tzu
Services
Individual Psychotherapy
I work with adults seeking therapy for a range of emotional and life challenges, including:
- Anxiety, chronic worry, and emotional overwhelm
- Trauma and PTSD, including medical trauma and complex trauma
- Grief and loss, including anticipatory grief and complicated grief
- Caregiver stress and burnout
- Depression and low mood
- Life transitions, identity shifts, and existential concerns
- People-pleasing, perfectionism, and chronic self-criticism
- Family-of-origin issues and the impact of addiction or dysfunction
- Recovery from addiction and support for those affected by substance use
- Chronic illness and health-related challenges
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing “counts,” you’re still welcome to reach out. Many people come to therapy with a feeling rather than a diagnosis — a sense of being stuck, exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of themselves. We can begin there.
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
I am in network with the following insurance plans: Aetna, Blue Cross, Carelon, Cigna, Medicare and Optum.
If I am not in network with your plan, I am happy to provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Private pay fee: $200/60 minute session.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction offers an open, compassionate space to listen more deeply to your inner life and to what gives your life meaning. It is a reflective practice that invites slowing down, noticing, and gently attending to the movements of your heart, spirit, and lived experience.
People often seek spiritual direction during times of transition, grief, questioning, or when longing for deeper connection, clarity, or spiritual grounding. This work welcomes doubt, curiosity, and uncertainty, and is open to people of all faith traditions—or none at all.
If you’re drawn to a more contemplative, spacious form of support, spiritual direction may be a meaningful place to begin. I invite you to reach out if you’d like to explore whether this kind of soul care feels right for you.
Price per session $125
(private pay – no insurance – sliding scale available)
Contact Me
Reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, especially when you’re already feeling overwhelmed or unsure. But if you are looking for help and feel I may be a good fit for you, I invite you to get in touch. Whether you’re seeking psychotherapy, spiritual direction, or simply want to explore what support might look like, we can begin with a conversation. You don’t have to have everything figured out to reach out—we can start right where you are.
