Sarah Whitman-Salkin, LCSW

Psychotherapy with adolescents and adults • Executive function coaching
New York

Education
NYU Silver School of Social Work, MSW
Barnard College, BACredentials
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
License #101955

My Approach

The process of therapy is one of deep exploration—of our experiences, our minds, and ourselves. To give language to that which feels unnameable, obscure, or immovable can be daunting. My role in this process is to foster a space where you feel safe and supported, where you can freely feel and express yourself, while gently supporting deeper engagement with both your inner and outer world.

There are many ways to arrive at meaningful change, and I believe all paths start with a relationship based on non-judgmental acceptance, empathy, and trust. I view the client-therapist relationship as sacred, essential, and living, offering a reparative space where attachment wounds and developmental trauma can be gently healed through the transformative power of human connection.

As a trained trauma therapist, I often find that as traumatic experiences and symptoms are understood and tended to, deeper layers of grief naturally emerge. This grief reflects the losses we’ve carried—of relationships, safety, connection, or identity—and healing involves allowing ourselves to acknowledge, feel, and compassionately process these emotions. Together, we will move you toward a more integrated life aligned with your values.

My approach is trauma-informed and integrative, based in relational therapy and drawing on psychodynamic theories and evidence-based methods. I am IFS-informed, certified in TF-CBT, and have training in CBT, DBT skills, and somatic mindfulness-based therapy.

My work as a clinician is foundationally rooted in social justice. I am committed to anti-racist, non-hierarchical, LGBTQIA+ affirming practice that recognizes the impact and internalized experiences of historical and current systems of oppression.

Areas of Focus

I work with individuals of all ages and specialize in working with adolescents and young adults, and those in moments of transition.My specialties include:

  • Complex trauma and PTSD

  • Identity exploration

  • Gender and sexuality

  • Depression and anxiety

  • High-risk behaviors (self-harm, eating disorders, and compulsive behaviors)

  • Suicidality

Executive Function Coaching

I also offer executive function coaching for adolescents and adults. My approach is strengths based and inquiry driven, emphasizing collaboration and empowerment. I help clients improve:

  • Emotional regulation and focus

  • Time management

  • Planning and organizational strategies

  • Intrinsic motivation

  • Avoidance patterns

By building on your unique strengths, we can co-create practical, sustainable strategies that support long-term growth and independence.

About Me

My education includes a Master's in Clinical Social Work from New York University and a BA in Anthropology from Barnard College. I have worked with youth in New York City high schools and at The Door, a nonprofit serving marginalized and under-resourced young people, and with adults at Brooklyn Center for Psychotherapy, a community mental health center. I also have nearly 10 years experience supporting learners of all ages as an executive functioning coach, and I draw on these skills to support neurodivergent clients.

Contact

Please reach out; I'm here to answer any questions you might have about my practice and what our work together can look like.

Image credits: Vija Celmins, Ocean (1975); Helen Frankenthaler, Chairman of the Board (1971); Annie Bendolph, Thousand Pyramids (1930); Anni Albers, Drawing for a Nylon Rug (1959); Frida Kahlo, Viva la Vida, Watermelons (1954)