Therapy Services Offered by *Sarah Swann, MSW, LCSW

SWANN PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES has been offering counseling services in the community of Studio City, CA for the past 15 years. During these difficult economic times, Sarah has reduced the standard fee, and continues to offer a sliding scale to individuals who qualify.

Sarah's devout dedication to the ethical principle of confidentiality has led her to steer clear of Insurance Panels. Disclosing personal information to Insurance Companies related to WHY someone has sought therapy, i.e., to work on the myriad issues life presents along the way, simply goes against her grain. Insurance Companies, NOT individuals, NOT Doctors, NOT other professionals in the industry of mental health and well-being are dictating IF one can be seen AND for how long. They require disclosure of diagnosis, which Sarah believes is NONE of their business. True, they are a "Business", make a TON of money (as we all know); they clearly have a right to know, however, the degree to which they control treatment has become burdensome and intrusive, AND....what happens with that information....where is it stored (?)....these are questions that are not clear and are of concern to Sarah when treating the very private matters that bring individuals to treatment.

Most people have a very difficult time sharing their innermost thoughts, not to mention "secrets". To have trust breached is very painful; we all know THAT from personal experience. Divulging ones inner secrets is difficult at best, even when there's a promise to not discuss what is brought into the the therapy. Do YOU trust having your personal information FAX'd to huge Insurance Companies for the purpose of authorizing you to receive treatment? Most people don't hide or keep private when preparing for heart surgery, or seen in an emergency room for a broken bone (not unless that broken bone is a result of "Domestic Violence"). Those MEDICAL 'issues' don't tend to carry a sense of "shame" with them. HOWEVER, matters pertaining to emotional wounds and scars are often held tightly, protected for long periods of time; they tend to carry a sense of "badness" or embarrassment with them. Sarah understands trust is something gained over a period of time, and sometimes it takes awhile before clients feel a sense of ease disclosing matters that often lay beneath the surface of the "presenting problem".
There's an analogy that's worth sharing; "It was not the TIP of the iceberg that sunk the Titanic;
it was the massive piece of ice UNDERNEATH the surface of the ocean that caused that great ship to sink." What brings people to therapy, and what's REALLY GOING ON are often entirely separate "entities."
All that to say, Sarah does not want to take chances YOUR private matters fall into the wrong hands.

Therapy takes place in a caring, comfortable, warm and non-judgmental atmosphere. Her experience is one in which her clients experience REALLY BEING HEARD and UNDERSTOOD. She is interactive and encouraging because she does not believe increasing the level of an individuals anxiety is particularly productive when help is being sought for issues related to anxiety, stress, depression or other difficulties experienced as a result of the "human condition".

Areas of treatment for brief or on-going therapy with individuals and couples includes:
- Acute anxiety disorders, including P.T.S.D.
- Situational depression often triggered by major life transitions.
- Issues related to relational and attachment disorders.
- Grief/Bereavement/Loss - Death and Dying - End of life decision making processes for
individuals and families struggling with the intricacies of this final stage in the life
cycle.
- Working with new parents/mothers by educating and increasing awareness about how to raise secure children. This is grounded in her understanding of how the brain develops and functions in an interrelationship between the
primary caregiver, typically the mother, and the environment during the first 3 years of an
infants life.
- Adults with insecure, anxious, ambivalent attachments can also make great strides in therapy due to the reparative process that can take place in the intersubjective space of the therapeutic relationship.
- Adjusting to medical conditions; auto-immune disorders, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain.
- Extensive experience working with HIV+ individuals, and the GLBT population.
- Low self-esteem; sense of worthlessness.
- Substance abuse issues, which are often a means of self-medicating and regulating affect. This
work is done while client is concurrently participating in 12 Step programs.
- Families of the chronically mentally ill; understanding the importance of adhering to
treatment recommendations for psychotropic medication management.

Sarah offers a free 15 minute phone consultation.
We live in a "Quick Fix" society. If it were possible to make major life changes and adjustments that endure over time by
simply reading a "Self-Help" book, there would LIKELY be fewer individuals reacting to
the demands, stress and strains of the 21st Century. It's time to abolish the myth that weak people ask for help. No one deserves to struggle alone; EVERYONE deserves to be heard, and to be the recipient of ~ Help ~ Hope ~ Healing ~

There is NO guarantee of a "Cure", however, Sarah's experience working in the field for almost
20 years has informed her she has the capacity to make others feel important, worthy, and hopeful
about overcoming that which interferes with the quality of life most seek in their relationships
with "Self" and with others.

Give her a call at: 818-726-5854 to set up an appointment.
*Filed under Sally Swann, LCS#17715 with Department of Consumer Affairs, BBS, CA
Feel free to view her Education, Knowledge Base, Skills and Work Experience on her LinkedIn profile.

Best regards ~