Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadie Forsythe, LCSW, CDWF.
Sadie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my therapy private practice in 2016. I didn’t initially know I wanted to be a psychotherapist though. My undergrad degree was in peace and global studies, and I worked for a variety of non-profit organizations for a time, which turned out to be really formative for me in the work I do now. It has led to my belief that individual challenges are linked with our social environments, and that telling our stories to those who have earned our trust, can help us build resilience.
When I was in graduate school, I saw Dr. Brené Brown’s Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability for the first time. It actually showed up in multiple places in my life in one week, and I knew instantly that THIS was why I was on this path to become a therapist. This was why it felt so important to hold space to hear the courageous stories of others and support them as they, as Dr. Brown says, “Write a brave new ending”. Like for many people, her words really resonated with my own experiences, and I wanted to share them with others and told everyone I could to read her books. I didn’t know then that I would someday be able to participate in a related specialized training for therapists. In 2017 I became a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, a methodology based on Dr. Brown’s research, and I am really excited to bring this into my work with individual therapy clients, as well as periodically offering group workshops.
Has it been a smooth road?
Simply put, no, it has not always been a smooth or linear path.
While I was working at a non-profit, my position was cut due to budget challenges, and it was certainly a difficult moment, as it was hard to leave the program I had built and the young adults I was supporting. But this also became a moment for me to really discern what I wanted to be doing and decide to go to graduate school.
I enjoyed working in university counseling centers for a master’s level internship, and post-masters fellowship, and for a while I really thought I wanted to continue to work in university counseling centers, and so it was a big leap for me to decide to start a private practice and it has been challenging at times. Learning to be a therapist is a very different skill from learning to run a business. Even with all the growing pains of this transition, I have loved the increased flexibility of running my own practice.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sadie Forsythe, LCSW, LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
After 4 years working in college counseling centers, I continue to specialize in working with university students and young professionals who are exploring their own identities, who they want to be in the world, and how they want to show up in relationships. I am passionate about supporting individuals who are seeking to live more meaningful, satisfying lives, and helping them feel less “stuck”.
I am so excited to now be sharing the wisdom of the Daring Way™ with individuals and groups. The Daring Way™ is a highly experiential methodology based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. The method was designed for work with individuals, couples, families, work teams, and organizational leaders. It can be facilitated in clinical, educational, and professional settings. During the process facilitators explore topics such as vulnerability, courage, shame, and worthiness. Participants are invited to examine the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are holding them back and identify the new choices and practices that will move them toward more authentic and wholehearted living. The primary focus is on developing shame resilience skills and developing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead. Further information is available at www.thedaringway.com.
In my work with individual clients, I also draw on my training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and other yoga and mindfulness techniques to help manage anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. I love helping clients improve relationships (whether family, friendship, or romantic), and consider how they want to live their life in a present and wholehearted way, despite the challenges they may be encountering.
I am committed to trying to create an inclusive practice, welcoming to individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, class, religion, immigration status, body size or physical ability. I often encourage clients to talk about how what’s going on in public and political life impacts them and their relationships, if this feels relevant to the client as we explore their overall well-being. Individuals across the political spectrum in this country are increasingly reporting feeling that their values are no longer publicly accepted and maybe even among their friends and family leading to increased stress.
I am also pleased to be able to reserve space in my practice to see some clients for a reduced rate through the Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, as part of my commitment to increasing access and accessibility to mental health care.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Telemental health is an area of rapid change and growth in the counseling field. I have begun seeing some clients via a secure online video platform designed specifically for mental health professionals. We meet in person first and mutually explore if that would be an appropriate medium for their situation. It can be helpful for continuity of services if they are unable to make it into the office due to severe weather, or their busy work schedule. I think we will begin seeing more and more telemental health offered in the next few years. I think this is particularly helpful in rural areas where someone might otherwise have to travel a long distance to see a specialist, or to help provide increased supports in a specific area following a natural disaster. This is a rapidly developing way to provide mental health services, catching up with the pattern of busy lives and modern communication. State laws typically regulate that counselors cannot provide services across state lines including these online sessions, and I hope to see telemental health become more portable in future years, so we can continue supporting a long term client even if they move.
Contact Info:
- Address: 676 Seminole Ave, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA, 30307
- Website: www.sadieforsythe-lcsw.com
- Phone: 7706761879
- Email: sadie@sadieforsythe-lcsw.com
- Other: http://bit.ly/psychology-today-sforysthe
Image Credit:
Margaret Landers
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