Meet Sara Lichstein of Sara Lichstein Marriage and Family Therapist, P.C.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Lichstein.

Hi Sara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never imagined I would end up in psychology or become a therapist. For most of my life, I was certain my path would centered around animals. I’ve always been an animal lover, and they’ve been a deeply healing presence for me.

In high school, that path expanded when I began therapy myself. Therapy quickly became a sacred space — a place where I could learn about myself, process what was happening around me, and grow into my authentic self. It was profoundly moving to be witnessed by a supportive other and to receive care for all parts of myself, even those I struggled to accept. That experience inspired me to offer the same kind of presence for others, knowing the positive impact it can have.

This led me to pursue ways of blending my two loves: animals and psychology. I earned an undergraduate degree in animal-assisted therapy and eventually worked as an equine therapist. These days, I practice in more traditional settings — in the office or virtually — but I hope to return to animal-assisted therapy in some capacity in the future.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has definitely come with challenges. Before pursuing graduate school, I worked in a residential treatment center for adolescents — one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. It pushed me to strengthen my boundaries and develop skills in handling heightened conflict, direct communication, and crisis management, while also learning to recognize and manage my own triggers. Although exhausting at times, the work deepened my empathy for individuals in pain and the circumstances shaping their paths.

Graduate school presented its own hurdles — balancing classes, seeing clients, and nannying on the side to afford tuition and living expenses. It was a demanding season that required resilience and persistence.

After graduation, I entered the associate phase, where therapists begin accumulating hours toward licensure. My first role was as an equine therapist, which at times felt overwhelming. Not only was I finding my identity and confidence as a therapist, but I was also working with horses within a specific modality. Many of the clients drawn to this approach had already tried other therapies without success, which added complexity and pressure. There were moments when I felt stretched beyond my limit, but my supervisors encouraged me to lean into that discomfort. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for those experiences; they expanded my capacity and skills as both a therapist and a person.

Even now, therapy continues to bring challenges — and that’s something I value about this field. The work requires constant reflection and growth, which allows me to evolve not only as a clinician but also as a human being.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sara Lichstein Marriage and Family Therapist, P.C.?
My practice is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where clients can show up exactly as they are. Through the work we do together, my goal is to help them reconnect with their authentic selves and continue to grow. I specialize in trauma-informed therapy, blending Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and parts work to support healing from relational trauma, anxiety, and life transitions. I’m especially drawn to working with people-pleasers, those navigating breakups, and individuals who grew up with emotionally immature parents — groups that often struggle with feeling unseen or misunderstood.

What sets my work apart is my focus on the body as well as the mind. As Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score highlights, our earliest form of communication is through the body — body language, play, and felt experience. When we leave the body out of healing, we miss vital information and powerful pathways for regulation and integration. I believe healing doesn’t happen through talking alone, but also by attuning to the nervous system and learning to feel safe in one’s own skin. I bring warmth, creativity, and curiosity into sessions, and I see therapy as a collaborative process where my clients and I learn together. I also practice what I encourage: continuing my own therapeutic work and regularly engaging in advanced training so I can show up authentically and fully present.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of creating a space that feels both deeply safe and genuinely human — a place where people can laugh, cry, and be fully themselves without judgment. Whether working virtually or in person, I want clients to know they don’t have to navigate life’s hardest challenges alone.

At its heart, my practice is built on the belief that pain is often experienced in isolation, but healing happens in relationship. My focus is connection: helping people reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the parts of life that bring meaning. It is a privilege and an honor to walk alongside people on their healing journey.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the quality that has been most important to my success is authenticity. I show up as a real, genuine person with my clients — someone who is curious, compassionate, and willing to be present with whatever comes up. I don’t try to hide behind a professional mask. Instead, I allow my humanity to be part of the work, which I think helps clients feel safe enough to bring their full selves into the room.

Equally important has been my commitment to growth. I continuously reflect, attend trainings, and do my own therapeutic work so I can keep expanding both personally and professionally. This willingness to stay open and keep learning allows me to adapt, deepen my skills, and be more available to the people I work with.

At the heart of it, I think my success comes from holding a balance of authentic presence and ongoing growth — qualities that let me connect meaningfully with others while also evolving alongside them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saralichsteinlmft.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somatics_with_sara?igsh=MW1zZWh3OWZzZ3h6cg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Joshua Matthew Peters
http://Www.bodhifox.com