Online Counseling for Perfectionists, People-Pleasers, & High Achievers in MA and NY
For individuals looking to reconnect with themselves without sacrificing their drive
Sarah Kalny, LMHC, MCCS
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Virtual (MA, NY)
Who Is This For
I work with adults who constantly feel like they have to be the one who has it all together. They’re overworked, stressed, overwhelmed, and seem to always come last in their own lives. Many of my clients are successful people balancing the demands of high stress jobs and personal relationships. They often look put together and capable on the outside but feel like they’re not good enough, tired, or resentful on the inside.
Who This Work Would Benefit
I work primarily with people who have a hard time setting boundaries and often find that they put others before themselves. These individuals are reliable, dependable, probably the cheerleader or organizer of their friend group. They spend their time taking care of others and don’t take nearly enough time for themselves.
What may bring them to therapy is the culmination of compounding factors. Daily stress of just every day life, on top of a growing to do list, and the constant feeling of needing to make sure that everyone else is okay first.
You may find yourself wondering:
Why am I so exhausted, even after resting?
Why am I feeling resentful, when my life is great?
Why do I feel guilty for saying or wanting to say no?
Why does doing something for myself make me feel uncomfortable?
With support, the high achievers I work with find a way to balance their wants and needs with the roles they play in their life. They learn that it’s okay to say no and set boundaries, that relationships can flourish when we take better care of ourselves. As they implement new strategies in their lives, they find that things can drastically improve, and it’s possible to feel connected with self as well as with others.
When This May Not Be the Right Fit
My practice may not be the right fit for those who are in crisis and require inpatient or crisis-level care, those who are court mandated to therapy, those struggling with active substance use, or anyone who requires 24/7 stabilization. Additionally, I do not work with couples or families.
My Counseling Approach and Modalities
My approach to counseling is rooted in being person-centered and focusing on client driven work. I focus my practice around social justice and acknowledging the stressors that come with living in the world we live in now. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself without judgment. Swear all you want, whip out that dark/sarcastic humor, let’s laugh about the ridiculousness in life, and embrace the uncertainty, even if it’s scary.
Depending on your goals and what you’d like to work on, I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS)/Parts Work in my practice.
You can expect our work together to be warm, empathetic, collaborative, and conversational. I will always validate my client’s experiences while also pushing them on trying new strategies or challenging unhelpful patterns. I will be your biggest cheerleader and always welcome humor and dialogue in session.
Credentials and Experience
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I bring ten years of experience serving groups and individuals in supporting their mental health. Before starting my private practice, I worked as a general clinician and then lead clinician of a Dual Diagnosis PHP/IOP program for four years, before moving to a group practice doing individual therapy for two years, then started my own practice and have been doing so for the last four years.
The Practical Details
Licensure: Massachusetts and New York
Session Format: Individual Therapy
Telehealth Only - Available to Clients throughout Massachusetts and New York State
Population: Adults (18+)
Payment: Private Pay (superbills provided for insurance reimbursement)