Faces of Tia: Sarah Powers, Therapist
Tia is now offering Behavioral Health and Tia’s Newest Care Provider and Therapist, Sarah Powers, LCSW, is leading the charge!
We asked Sarah a few questions so you can get to know her better!
Where did you grow up and what brought you to NYC?
I was born in Ithaca, NY. I lived in Israel For a year in 1997–1998 with my family. My father is a professor of Islamic Studies and moved me and my family there For a sabbatical. I went to the University of Vermont for my freshman year of college, then decided to transfer to Cornell. I did NOT live at home, although many people always ask that. I made a point to go home for Sunday night dinners and could walk home from campus anytime. I moved to NYC after college to get my master’s in social work at Columbia University and have not left since!
What drew you to working as a therapist?
I’ve always wanted to help people. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s incredibly rewarding and I learn something new every day. There is always someone out there who needs support.
What kind of behavioral healthcare do you specialize in?
Anxiety, depression, chronic illness, grief & loss, stress management, self-esteem. I use a lot of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What do you find most challenging about behavioral healthcare?
The stigma of having a therapist or being in counseling, the cost, and the inaccessibility of finding a provider who accepts insurance or is taking on new clients. Also, misinformation — if you see a therapist, it doesn’t mean you will need to be in therapy forever! Some people utilize therapy during a challenging time followed by periods when they don’t feel the need. Other people like having a monthly check-in. There is no RIGHT way or one-size-fits-all!
So Why choose Tia?
I think collaborative care (what Tia practices) is so important. It is easy to miss something when we work in silos, and by working together we see a whole picture that is not always clear at first. It’s the type of care I want for myself and, of course, my patients.
How do you practice self-care?
I write self-care into my schedule. I make it a priority and a check-box on my to-do list to hold myself accountable. Whether that be journaling, going for a walk, having an hour with my phone off, etc. If I write it down on a to-do list, I’m much more likely to make sure it happens.
For you, what part does mental health play in being a “well-woman”?
To me, mental health is just as important as healthy eating and regular exercise. Similarly, you may not see results right away, it can be painful at times, but over time you can start to see the changes. I had a professor in graduate school once talk about how negative self-talk is like feeding your brain a bunch of Twinkies. Think about how you would feel if you ate 10 Twinkies. Pretty sick right? It’s the same thing when we feed ourselves negative comments and thoughts about ourselves. It takes effort to NOTICE those thoughts without judgment and replace them with positive thoughts. It’s not easy and takes practice, but it’s amazing how different you feel once you start being able to notice and challenge that negative self-talk.
