We recently connected with Sarah Bryski-Hamrick and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

I made the choice to start my solo therapy practice in December of 2020 after months of being overworked throughout the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was pushed to work more hours, encouraged by an exploitative “incentivized structure” payment plan. The owners of the practice had no interest in me developing skills as a therapist or my mental and physical health.

After talking it over with my partner, and a few trusted loved ones, I made the decision to start an online practice. I wanted to serve millennials and Gen Zs who had experienced growing up working class or low-income, only to enter professional fields as adults. I understood the confusion and identity crisis that comes with working a professional job but owning less than older generations.

These days, I also coach therapists who are fed up with a healthcare system that exploits both patients and workers. I recently started offering anti-exploitative job coaching to all professions, which is going great.

I regularly meet with people who desire change, but are crushed under multiple systems that do not allow for it. I work for workers.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I want to help others find relief. I was an anxious child who was often misunderstood. As an adult, I always make an effort to validate and normalize the fears that others are experiencing.

I am a therapist and coach with progressive political views. I feel that client centered care must be political, because each part of our identity is politicized. How we are taught to think about work, leisure, housing, income, relationships, community, trauma, etc. is heavily influenced by the political and economic system we live under – capitalism.

I offer support to clients who wish to liberate themselves from the exploitative, oppressive systems we are forced to navigate. Or to simply identify these systems, unlearning internalized ideas that this is all “our fault”.

I offer support and guidance, and I help folks unlearn harmful and unhelpful ideas that limit them.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Blogging! I put out monthly blog posts aimed at millennials/Gen Zs who are made to navigate the challenging reality of student loan debt, climate crisis, work/life balance and other crushing impacts of capitalism.

I also write content for folks recovering from spiritual trauma, who are either going through deconstruction or dipping their toes into ex-Christianity.

Lastly, I write for therapists and other workers who are tired of being exploited by the healthcare system and greedy, wealth hoarding bosses.

I do DIY SEO, and I work very hard to write about what people need to hear.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

Thankfully, the transition for me was relatively easy (anxiety and fear of failure notwithstanding). I run a solo online therapy practice. I had the privilege of bringing clients with me, so I had the advantage of a consistent income throughout the transition. I am also lucky enough to have an extra bedroom in the apartment we rent to use as an office.

I have very little overhead due to working from home. My monthly subscriptions needed for marketing, electricity, internet, office supplies, etc. is less than $500/month, which I make back in less than a day.

I am able to see less clients than before, which means I am no longer burnt out, making me a better therapist.

I am aware that my situation is not the typical one. I work in a field where I can be flexible. I am thankful for that every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teletherapywithsarah.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teletherapy_withsarah/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sarah-Bryski-Hamrick-MA-LPC/100076582174534/
• Other: Podcast: https://www.tndpodcast.com/