Meet Sara
Sara Thane Milam, LCSW
(She/Her)
Hi there! I’m Sara. I’m a licensed clinical social worker and I love working with anxious high achievers because I can relate. Here’s a piece of my story.
As long as I can remember I’ve set big goals and intensely worked toward them. Whether it was striving for an A on a test or a new personal record in the pool, I knew how to keep my foot on the gas and grind.
I did not know how (or when) to tap the brakes. As I got older I realized my striving was driven by fear: fear of failure, fear of getting left behind by my peers, fear of becoming lazy and losing momentum. I wasn’t trying to succeed because I enjoyed the challenge. I was trying to succeed because I was scared of what would happen if I slowed down and cut myself some slack. I noticed I wasn’t being intentional about aligning my goals with my larger vision for who I wanted to be and what I wanted my life to be about. I was just achieving for the sake of achieving.
With the help of a few therapists and some work on my own, I began to rewrite the unhelpful narratives that were driving my need to succeed. I started focusing on finding enjoyment in the process of tackling a challenge, not just in the outcome. I cultivated a habit of considering why a particular goal was important to me and how it fit in with my vision of a meaningful life. I gave myself permission to relax and play, and after awhile I started to actually enjoy this unstructured time.
To my fellow intense perfectionists and high achievers: I know it can feel scary to experiment with new ways of thinking and doing, but if you’re willing to try you just might find your way to a more fulfilling, meaningful, and interesting life. I can’t wait to team up and work on it together!
When I’m not working as a therapist you can find me training for triathlons, reading at coffee shops, eating ice cream, and teaming up with my husband to wrangle our dog named Cashew. I’m a fourth-generation Montanan and I love traveling back to Big Sky Country every chance I get.
Credentials
- EMDR Certified Therapist (EMDRIA)
- Certificate in Sport Social Work, University of Michigan
- Certificate in Advanced Clinical Dementia Practice, University of Michigan
- Master of Social Work, University of Michigan
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Montana
License Information
- Tennessee: #7876
- Montana: BBH-LCSW-LIC-49513
- Florida Out-of-State Telehealth Provider: TPSW4694
Experience
- Team Lead and Therapist, Nashville Collaborative Counseling Center
- Behavioral Health Specialist, SCL Health
- Graduate Intern, Bereavement Department, Angela Hospice
- Graduate Intern, Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
- Congressional Caseworker and Field Representative, U.S. Senator Jon Tester
Why Steadfast Living Therapy?
The name Steadfast Living Therapy was inspired by my clients who show an unwavering commitment to themselves and others. Through ups and downs, successes and setbacks, they continue to show up and put in the work – that’s what makes change possible.
Steadfast Living Therapy strives to be accessible, affirming, and welcoming to people of all abilities, races, genders, sexual orientations, sizes, cultures, and political and spiritual beliefs.
