Meet Sara
Sara Thane Milam, LCSW
Owner and Therapist
(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