Sari Meltzer Schifrin, LCSW-C
I am a licensed clinical social worker specializing in providing support to individuals with eating disorders, disordered eating, and those who want to improve their relationship with food and their body. I have extensive experience working with these clients at different levels of care, including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient.
While challenges with food and body may be what brings a client to see me, I know that these struggles do not exist in a vacuum. This is why I take a holistic approach and support my clients in exploring and learning ways to cope with anxiety, depression, relational conflict, trauma symptoms and other life challenges.
I tailor care to the individual needs of my clients. My general approach is to start each session by asking how you are doing, how your week was, and if there is anything on your mind you want to talk about. From there, we will explore and challenge difficult experiences, feelings, and behaviors that may be getting in the way of your goals. I teach my clients skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and practice with a Health at Every Size (HAES) informed approach to treatment.
I believe the foundation to all therapeutic healing is a strong, trusting relationship between the therapist and client. I build empathic connections with clients by knowing when to be serious, when to use humor, when to simply listen without judgment, and when to challenge a client toward personal growth. I am passionate about supporting individuals throughout their journeys of healing.
Education
New York University - Master of Social Work, Phi Alpha Honor Society
Vanderbilt University - Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Child Studies
Licensure
Maryland - State Board of Social Work Examiners - LCSWC #22836
Commonwealth of Virginia - Department of Health Professions Board of Social Work - LCSW #0904012157
District of Columbia - Board of Social Work - LICSW #LC200001249
“What happened can never be forgotten and can never be changed. But over time I learned that I can choose how to respond to the past. I can be miserable, or I can be hopeful—I can be depressed, or I can be happy. We always have that choice, that opportunity for control.”
- Dr. Edith Eve Edger, The Choice