Sarah Fitzgerald, MSW

Children, Adolescents, College, Young Adults, Adults

Sports Anxiety, Divorce, Social Media Issues/Addiction, Disordered Eating, Trauma, Stressful Life, Transitions, Autism, ADHD, Career Stress, Women’s issues, Relationship Stress, Self-esteem, Anxiety, Depression

Hello and welcome! My name is Sarah. I grew up on the East coast in Milford, Connecticut. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama, then I moved to Chicago to get my Master’s in Social Work at DePaul University.

Needless to say, I have experience with a lot of different people and walks of life! I have always been passionate and interested in what makes people feel connected. It’s fascinating to see how people view life differently based on their personal experiences.

My passion for being a therapist came from my own personal challenges and journey.

When I was about 9 years old my parents got divorced. This had a large impact on my whole family. I know, personally and professionally, how difficult divorce can be, for everyone involved. It also was an opportunity for me to experience firsthand the power of therapy. I saw how the power of counseling helped many of my family members heal, grow and gain resilience in a new chapter of our lives. It was so impactful, that from that day on, I wanted to become a therapist, to give back and help others blossom through challenging times.

I wholeheartedly believe that absolutely everyone and anyone can benefit from therapy. Everyone deserves a safe place to process life events, feelings, and find their voice saying out loud whatever is on their hearts. That safe space needs someone who is truly listening with an open mind and heart. I believe this is a basic human need that gets overlooked far too often.

Outside of therapy, I am also a fitness coach at a gym called OrangeTheory Fitness. I have a passion for helping people become the best versions of themselves both as a fitness coach and as a therapist! When working with me you can expect warmth, empathy, bubbliness and humor. Also, I promise I will not yell at you on a microphone like I do at my other job!

As your therapist, I will be curious about you and your experiences. I will listen openly and together we will create a plan for what you really need and deserve. I believe it is important to meet people where they are at and work at their own pace.

Every person’s therapeutic journey is completely unique and it is never “one-size fits all!” I use positive techniques and tools to empower you to understand your strengths and how you can use them to handle future situations. I prioritize creating a safe space for people to feel supported and understood throughout each session.

As someone who has been through therapy before, I know how valuable it is to have a therapist really listen to you and relate to you on some sort of level.

Kids of Divorce

As someone who has been a kid of divorce, I know how difficult it can be for the environment that children grew up in to change so quickly. This is typically the first major change that a child might be going through in their entire life. While it is incredibly challenging, it is also an important time for children to learn techniques to cope with, identify and process these new emotions. This will not be the first time that they will go through big life changes, and the skills they learn early on will help them in the future as well.

Sports Anxiety

As a competitive athlete, I have had a lot of personal experience with sports anxiety. I was a competitive swimmer from 7 years old through High School. As a Three-Time State Champion in Connecticut, I still hold four high school records. While I loved the sport so much, there were times when it became very heavy. By the end of my career I felt extremely burnt out and lost the love I had for it in the first place. Growing up, it is easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself. People around you have certain expectations, you have your own expectations, but at the same time you are trying to figure out who you are as a person; inside and outside of sports!

Sports anxiety is typically the very top layer of a lot of other deeply routed life stressors. It is so important to discuss these emotions and get an understanding of what exactly is causing them. Sports are meant to be a safe place and a stress-reliever for most people that get involved in them. I would love to help dismantle these anxieties, pinpoint their causes, and start getting back to the reason why you started participating in sports in the first place!

Disordered Eating

I am passionate about helping individuals with disordered eating. One things I always want to point out first and foremost on this topic is; disordered eating is often a coping mechanism. It is typically something that stems from past or current trauma, some sort of emotional distress, or negative self-image. It can often also feel like a safety blanket. When everything in life feels out of control, being able to have control over what you eat or do not eat is something that can feel stress relieving short-term. Issues with body image and disordered eating have become increasingly prevalent with social media, and it is so crucial to teach people at any age that everyone deserves to feel healthy and happy on the inside and outside.

JR High

Moving from elementary school to middle school is a huge change in an adolescent’s life. Oftentimes they might be moving to a new school or are struggling to navigate making friends in a new environment. Also, getting older in general can be overwhelming and hard to adapt to. It is important to focus on how to express emotions in a healthy way and realizing their own strengths.

High Schoolers

Adolescence is a time when kids transition from middle school to high school – another huge life transition! This is a time when they need to be given the right tools to thrive as they prepare to become more independent from their parents. By the time kids reach high school age, they have so much going on; sports, friendships, future college plans, and everything can feel like it’s moving at 100mph. It is crucial to slow things down a bit and process everything that is going on to decrease stress. This is a time for developing self-confidence, healthy habits, and decision making skills.

College

College age can be a time when someone’s independence skills are being put to the test. I know from experience that this can be the most stressful and difficult time, as well as the most fun and exciting! In the beginning, it can feel like you are leaving behind a totally different life; your high school friendships, your daily routine, your living situation. It can be a lot to process. As time goes on, you start creating new friendships and relationships on top of being in school or working, which is a lot to navigate. It is so important to be able to adapt and develop autonomy, increase self-esteem, and other skills that will promote positive growth.

For Fun…

Living in Lincoln Park in Chicago has been so exciting the last few years! I enjoy being at the beach as much as possible, working out or doing anything active, and love exploring new neighborhoods in Chicago as well. I prioritize spending quality time with my friends, family, and traveling as much as I can.

To book an appointment, 847-919-9096 x.1, [email protected]