Somatic and Relational Psychotherapy 

Exploring the knowing our bodies hold, and finding deeper connection with ourselves and others.

ABOUT

Hi! My name is Sarah Watson (she/her). I’m a therapist who specializes in working with queer, neurodivergent, and creatively minded individuals, friends, couples, siblings, and families.

I believe that healing takes place in relationship. Our relationship as therapist and client, where you feel truly seen and heard, is a powerful place for this healing to begin. I aim to see you wherever you are– in your pain, in your loneliness, in your joy, in your fear. Together, we will explore these parts, giving them the attention and care they need as we move closer to your truth.

Healing is not an individual process, and I am not afraid to be with you in the exploration of what feels complex and hard.

Alongside my clinical practice, I work in research at NYU’s Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Group, focusing on the integration of the arts, including music and photography, into formal therapeutic spaces. This research keeps me learning, questioning, and continually asking— how can I show up for my clients with creative, clinically based interventions?

SERVICES

Licensed Master Social Worker | Serving Clients 18+ in New York State

My specialties include:

  • Navigating gender and sexuality

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Neurocomplexities

  • Attachment trauma

  • Examining past and current relational patterns with curiosity and compassion

  • Working with artists and the integration of emotional and professional identity


INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Everyone deserves a space devoted to their healing, growth, and well-being. Through a relational, psychodynamic lens, sessions weave in somatic techniques and parts work—drawing from both past experiences and present sensations to create new, healing emotional patterns within our work together.


RELATIONSHIP THERAPY

Relationships of all kinds can benefit from an outside perspective and a supportive space to slow down and reconnect. “Relationship therapy” describes work with all types of dyads, romantic partners, friends, siblings, family, and chosen family. Often, people come in feeling stuck in communication or behavior cycles that have become exhausting and painful. Together, we interrupt those patterns and explore new ways of relating and deepening connection.

THE PROCESS

In the therapy process there are two crucial relationships that we are building, the relationship between your mind and body, and the therapeutic relationship between you and me.

Much like the process of our bodies forming a scab on a scraped knee, I believe that we all have the inner drive and knowledge in healing our own emotional wounds. We may have learned along the way to tune out these signals, protecting ourselves from hurt or harm. And together we will help rebuild safety in your body, encouraging emotions to be processed and listened to.

Questions that I may ask to help us engage your body’s knowing may sound like–

  • Where do you feel tension, energy, lightness, heaviness in your body?

  • Is this feeling familiar?

  • Does this feeling have a color? Does it have a sound? Does it have a movement?

  • Can we track the feeling? Does it get louder or softer when I ask about it?

  • Does this feeling have a voice? Whose voice is it?

In this work, we get to build a new experience of relationship. A relationship where you can practice feeling your sadness, joy, anger, and aloneness to their full capacity, and know that I will still be there, asking questions and celebrating their fullness. Our bodies learn through experience, not explanation. Together we can decide what new experience your body is wanting to learn. Maybe learning safety in conflict? In closeness? In reliance?

INVESTMENT

Individual Therapy $160/ 45 minute session
Relationship Therapy $200/ 60 minute session 

Sliding Scale

I am passionate about quality mental health services being accessible. I offer sliding scale rates based on need and availability, which we can discuss more during our consult call.

Insurance

I am not in-network with insurance. However, many insurance companies offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network therapeutic services. Upon request, I will provide receipts, or “superbills”, for you to submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.

I recommend contacting your insurance and asking the following questions:
Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health insurance benefits?
How much is my deductible and has it been met?
What is the coinsurance?
How many sessions per year will be covered?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

Navigating insurance can feel daunting, and I am passionate about educating and supporting my clients through this process. 

Initial Consultation 

I offer a free 15-minute consultation call, which is a chance for us to connect and for you to decide if this feels like a right fit in booking a first session. If we realize that availability doesn’t align or I'm not the right therapist for you, I’m happy to connect you with other providers in the area who may be a better fit.

FAQs

  • How can I schedule an appointment?

    Email me at swatsontherapy@gmail.com or use the contact form to book a free 20-minute consultation.

  • Do you have in person and telehealth availability?

    I see clients both in person and virtually, and have an office located in Park Slope (57 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217).

  • How often do we meet?

    In most cases, we’ll meet once a week. A weekly rhythm helps build trust and safety in our work. If you're in acute distress and needing more support, we can explore more frequent sessions for a period of time. 

  • How long will therapy take?

    There’s no right answer to this question, which I recognize may feel frustrating. The issues that we will explore together, such as attachment and our early learning about relationships are historic for us, so it is natural that healing and change can take time. This question often signals to me a want for relief from a feeling or pattern that is feeling overwhelming, and I am here to be with you in that very human experience. 

  • How does sex therapy differ from relationship therapy?

    I am not a certified sex therapist, and I do invite all conversations around sex into the therapy room with us, whether that is individual or relationship therapy. If someone is looking specifically for a sex therapist, I recommend looking for providers that are AASECT certified. (provide link: https://www.aasect.org/referral-directory)

  • Are you engaged in your own therapy?

    I am, and my engagement in therapy helps me continue my own personal work, so that I can show up for clients in the attuned, focused way that they deserve. I recommend asking practitioners this question on your consultation calls, it is important information in how practitioners value the work they do.

CONTACT

Have a question or want to schedule a 15-minute consultation?
Please share a bit about yourself below, and I’ll get back to you within 1–2 business days.