Meet Sarah parnow, psyd
Ready to stop being immobilized by overwhelm and uncertainty?
You’ve been through a lot, and somewhere between the appointments and the waiting and the uncertainty, you lost sight of those parts of you that make you feel like you. If that has been part of your process, you are not alone.
You can feel this way now, while Also taking steps to move forward
I work with clients who are feeling weighed down by a new medical diagnosis, chronic health issue, or big life change. The initial shock can feel unreal, like being in the middle of a very, very, bad dream. Once that wears off (at least temporarily), the constant thinking, planning, and worrying can feel like a massive weight on your shoulders. And that’s on top of all the other daily tasks and responsibilities.
I want to help ease some of that load.
how i work:
I meet my clients wherever they are in their journey, whether it's in the early stages of making sense of a diagnosis or change, or if they’ve been on this road for a while and are having trouble wrapping their head around what they’ve already been through. I provide a warm and encouraging space to talk openly about challenges and worries, process the losses experienced along the way, and learn concrete tools to feel better.
I am a firm believer in the importance of paying attention to how physical health impacts mental health, and vice versa. Our mind and body are so very interconnected, that any change to physical health trickles down to impact a whole lot of other areas of life. You can probably think of a time when your stomach was in knots before giving a big presentation or having a conversation you were dreading. Or maybe when your heart was racing after almost being side-swiped while driving. Similarly, certain medical conditions are known to impact anxiety, sleep, and mood. I believe that when we pay attention to how physical health conditions affect all of us, not only our bodies, we can move through these enormous experiences with awareness and intentionality. We can gain a better understanding of ourselves and learn effective tools to re-engage with the meaningful parts of life that may have been put on the back-burner.
You may be thinking: that sounds great at all, but what does that really look like?
It looks like focusing on both the mind (how we feel and what we think) and the body (our physiological stress response, physical activity, sleep, and appetite) in our work together. It looks like exploring how these changes in health and life are impacting mood, stress, relationships, and life as a whole. It also looks like recognizing these reactions, which are natural and human to have, as important parts of healing too.
I believe wellness is not only the absence of illness. Wellness, to me, is a lot more about presence than absence.
Not just about subtraction, but also about addition. Of course when it’s possible, we want to eliminate illness or difficult symptoms. But I believe one can live a meaningful life, in spite of illness, by prioritizing things that matter. To you, specifically. And that is something we can do, regardless of what you are facing.
I may be the right therapist for you if…
You’ve tried therapy before, but maybe it felt tiring to explain the ins and outs of your condition (and let’s be real, you are tired enough). Educating and explaining can be necessary in so many relationships already, this doesn’t have to be one of them. Maybe you want a therapist who has that foundational knowledge already, so you can spend time focusing on the important stuff.
You’ve joined a support group or therapy group, and it didn’t feel as helpful as you hoped. Some people really enjoy the group setting, while others feel more comfortable 1:1. Or maybe you want both - the space with others experiencing a similar thing, and also an individual space to get additional support.
Why I do what I do
I became a psychologist because I have witnessed how helpful, and often absent, mental health care services are alongside medical care. I couldn’t grasp how someone’s life could be turned upside down by a medical diagnosis or event in the blink of an eye, and it wasn’t standard to address how it impacts mental health. This missing piece drove me to brave several Chicago winters and get as much training and experience as I could in as many different settings as possible.
From time spent in countless exam rooms and hospital bedsides, I can confidently say I understand some of the common experiences adults face. From the shock and disbelief after just hearing the diagnosis for the first time, to sitting in the relentless worry of waiting days for important test results, I recognize how immense these experiences can be.
I bring my medical center experience to my online practice.
As a health psychologist, I can offer the perspective of a healthcare worker who has seen firsthand the inner workings of clinics and medical teams across the country, as well as a provider who has walked alongside patients as they navigate these challenging systems. As a human, I can also offer the perspective of someone who has sat in countless waiting rooms, witnessed many medical appointments and treatments, and experienced the frightening sights and sounds of the intensive care units.
You have great support, but maybe it’s feeling difficult to be honest about the hardest parts of all this. Perhaps you see the strain and worry in your loved one’s eyes, and even though you know it’s good to “open up,” you feel pulled towards positivity, silver linings, and gratitude. And sometimes, you just need to talk about how much this just sucks.
Education & Licensure
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California, PSY31340
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, 2018, Adler University. Chicago, IL
Master’s of Arts in Clinical Psychology, 2016, Adler University, Chicago, IL
Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, 2012, Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA
Clinical Training & Experience
Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara, CA, Center for Advanced Heart Failure Therapies, Transplant/MCS Psychologist, January 2020-July 2023
Kaiser Permanente, ED, Hospital, Crisis Response Team, Post-doctoral Fellow, September 2018-August 2019
Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, Health Psychology Predoctoral Intern, Transplant Institute, Internal Medicine, and Outpatient Clinic, June 2017-June 2018
Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL, Advanced Therapy Extern, Behavioral Health Team member covering all units of medical hospital, July 2016-June 2017
Stroger County Hospital, Pain Management Clinic, Chicago, IL Supplemental extern, July 2016-July 2017
Adler Community Health Services, Chicago, IL, Therapy Extern, September 2015-August 2016
United Stand Counseling Services, Chicago, IL, Diagnostic Extern, June 2014-June 2015
Professional Associations
American Psychological Association Member
Health Psychology Division 48 Member