Therapy For Activists & Community Organizers

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I’m a therapist for activists & community organizers.

You may be feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or isolated. I understand, and I’m here to help.

I help people fight for lasting change without sacrificing their health, emotional safety and values.

If you’re ready to start feeling better, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.

My approach to Therapy for Activists

As an activist and/or community organizer, you do not accept the status quo. You don’t look away from exploitation and oppression, you call it out and demand better. In a world shackled by the violence of capitalism, there is no shortage of worthy causes to fight for. You sometimes feel discouraged, overwhelmed or lost.

As a community organizer and activist who specializes in treating leftists, I understand the weight of fiercely fighting for a better world while also maintaining a job, health, relationships and hobbies. I know that therapy for activists (and everyone else) should not flatten your humanity, taking away your identity and lived experiences, discouraging politics in the process, and forcing a one size fits all approach. I consider this an act of violence in the therapy space.

As your therapist, you can expect to have your experiences, values and political orientation deeply respected, and highly considered throughout your treatment. Politics are not only welcome in our space together, but encouraged. Every choice you make throughout the day and every part of your identity is politicised. How could your therapy not be political?

You will learn how to cultivate softness, nurturing your value in the struggle, and the importance of caring for yourself. You’ll learn how to set healthy, sustainable boundaries with others and even yourself.

You will rediscover joy and begin to prioritize finding happiness daily. Whether it’s through revolutionary optimism, spirituality, movement, relationship, travel, or education, etc, you will learn ways to fill your cup, keeping you alive and in the good fight.

Interested? Let’s chat.

Therapy for Activists FAQs

How can I avoid burnout as an activist?

Great question. Burnout is debilitating, and if left unaddressed, can have catastrophic results for your health and financial security. I take activist burnout seriously – here is a blog post I wrote on it. Long story short, you’ll need to learn how to set boundaries, cultivate meaningful relationships with others in the movement, educate yourself by reading theory and learning from other organizers, and routinely seek out joy.

How long do I need to be in therapy?

This answer can vary! Everyone comes to treatment with different issues, but the one thing they have in common is that they’re in pain. During our first few sessions together, we will decide on your treatment goals. As time progresses, you may hit your goals and decide that you would like to stop therapy, which is great! You may also notice that there are other issues that could be worked through in therapy, which is also great! Ultimately, you decide. I am here to support you along the way.

When should I get therapy?

Most people start therapy when they have been struggling for a long time and need help. But you certainly do not need to wait until you are without hope or in crisis. Therapy is great for any state of emotional wellness.

Is therapy worth it?

Most individuals in our culture are under the impression that surviving our day to day challenges is enough. In therapy, you can learn to not only survive your existence, but to fully live in it, and even enjoy it. So yes, therapy is absolutely worth it.

Why is therapy so expensive?

My services are priced based on my experience level, which includes various trainings, years of practice and market price. I have made the choice to remain a solo practitioner and not “grow” my practice by hiring and exploiting other therapists. This means that my services may cost a little more than other clinicians you find online.

Why is therapy painful?

Human beings are incredibly adaptable. Throughout our lives, we will encounter traumas daily, both big and small. Because of this, we develop defense mechanisms that help us survive the pain we feel as a result of the trauma. These defense mechanisms are often not healthy, and can make us feel worse in the long run. In therapy, we will be breaking down those defenses to find where the pain lives. This can be a painful process, but it doesn’t last. The reward of relief, renewed strength and increased control is absolutely worth it.

Can anyone benefit from therapy?

Anyone can benefit from therapy as long as they are committed to growing and healing. However, to benefit from therapy you must be able to look inward and observe how your own thoughts/feelings/behaviors can be getting in your way.

How do we meet for sessions?

We will meet virtually on the platform Therapy Notes, which is an EHR system, or electronic health record. It is also utilized for scheduling, appointment reminders, paperwork and payment. If we are working through your insurance, we’ll meet over HIPAA compliant Google Meet, and use Headway to process your insurance.

What if I’m not a resident of Pennsylvania or Florida?

I am licensed to provide counseling in the states of Pennsylvania and Florida. I provide therapeutic coaching for residents outside of PA, FL and abroad. Learn more here!

What is the cost per session?

60 Minute Intake (these happen once) - $220

45 Minute Therapy - $180

80 Minute EMDR Therapy - $320

Do you accept insurance?

I accept Aetna, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (all virtual to Pennsylvania clients). Outside of those providers, services are cash pay only. If you wish to seek out-of-network reimbursement, I do assist in the reimbursement process by providing superbills. Learn more about navigating out-of-network reimbursement and the benefits of seeing a cash pay therapist here.

What is your cancellation policy?

Just as I value my clients’ time and hard earned money, I also value my own. The time we schedule together is sacred, and if you are cancelling your session with insufficient notice, you are taking time away from another client who potentially needs it. Because of this, I have a strict 48 hour cancellation policy. This means that any sessions cancelled within the 48 hour window, including “no-show“ sessions, will be charged $180.