About Sarah Meharg, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW

A woman with blonde hair and glasses in a patterned blouse.

My approach:

It is impossible and unhelpful to keep politics out of the therapy room. The personal continues to be political and it has become increasingly clear to more people how politics directly impact mental health. While individual therapy is exactly that, we also live within larger systems that shape how we feel. When these systems are in a state of chaos and instability, feelings of helplessness, anxiety, exhaustion, anger, and guilt are all normal and perhaps the intended responses.

I believe that insight must be paired with the motivation and skills to create and sustain personal change, and when appropriate, I have expanded my approach to include a more existential lens, which I have found to be a valuable perspective given current events.

It is possible to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed, guilty or burning out. One on one therapy is where internal change begins but doesn't need to be where change ends.

I have chosen to continue working with insurance plans in an effort to address one barrier to care. Personally, I find it rewarding to work with a wider range of clients. As part of my commitment to expanding access, I advocate both individually and collectively for state and local policies that reduce these barriers as well as enforcement of existing laws.

Learn more about your rights under the DC Mental Health Parity Law and report potential violations.

What does that mean in practice?

My therapeutic approach is based in Family Systems Theory. When this concept is broadened to include the other systems impacting our lives, it provides a framework for understanding and change. Together, we will look at both the big and smaller pictures before narrowing it down to collaboratively identifying treatment goals and the necessary steps to achieve them, which can be either flexible or concrete. Those steps can be informed by tools from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Existential therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Feminism, and Mindfulness. I have also found that couples therapy approaches like Gottmans and Emotionally Focused Therapy can be helpful.

Sunset over Potomac river with boats and DC city skyline in the distance.

Me:

I'm a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the District of Columbia, Maryland (LCSW-C), and Virginia (LCSW), allowing me to practice telehealth in these locations. I graduated with my MSW from Catholic University of America's National Catholic School of Social Service in 2013. Although I'd best describe myself as Agnostic, the fundamental value of social justice is critical to mental health. I have continued to live and work in Ward 5.

Due to increasing ethical, privacy, and legal concerns, I have chosen not to work with any venture capital-backed mental health technology and do not use artificial intelligence to generate notes. This is a solo private practice and small business based in Washington, DC's Eckington.

The therapeutic relationship is the strongest indicator of a positive outcome in therapy, and I encourage anyone seeking a therapist to take this into account when considering their options. While therapy can sometimes be difficult, I am an advocate of the mental health benefits of humor.

When I'm not working, I enjoy cats, gardening, yoga, pilates, being around water, and reading.

Sarah Meharg

Please reach out to sarahmeharglicsw@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How often and when would we meet?

Many of my clients find that meeting on a weekly basis is the best approach towards working to achieve their therapeutic goals. Others find that their needs are best met by less frequent sessions. I've found that it is usually best to start with more regular sessions then see where we are.

I am in the office Monday through Friday. I do not have late evening hours available at this time but I am accepting new clients between the hours of 8 am and 6 PM.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an in network provider with Wellfleet, Cigna / Evernorth, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans including locally Federal BCBS, BlueChoice, and Carefirst. I am an Out of Network provider with other insurance providers including Aetna and United / Optum, which means that I do not have a contract with these insurance companies but you can use your out of network benefits.

When looking at using your out of network benefits, the main question is "What is my out of network deductible?". With some plans, I am able to check your benefits and deductible then submit these claims on your behalf through my electronic health record. I can also share the necessary paperwork known as a Superbill in order for you to file an Out of Network claim.

If you have any questions about insurance, just ask! I've been doing my own billing since 2018 and learned a lot along the way especially about the DC area insurance plans.

What are your "out of network" rates?

My out of network fees are as follows:

Initial Diagnostic Session (CPT Code 90791) - $200

Individual Psychotherapy Session (CPT Code 90837) - $175

I also offer a sliding scale rate.

How do I pay?

I accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover through Ivy Pay, a HIPAA compliant payment system designed for therapists that also allows you to utilize your HSA or FSA. I am also able to accept payments through Venmo or Zelle.

How will I fill out any paperwork?

In anticipation of our first session, I will share a link to my Informed Consent and Intake forms via a HIPAA compliant portal. The intake form is meant to help us identify areas of concern and strengths and as such is not meant to be comprehensive. If you do not feel comfortable providing any of the information requested or would prefer to do so in person (over video), that's totally fine. If you have any questions, we can also go over these forms together.

This link will also allow you to enter yourt health insurance information.

How will we meet?

I use a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform for everything called Simple Practice.

Sarah Meharg, MSW PLLC

About Sarah Meharg, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW

My approach:

What does that mean in practice?

Me:

In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?

Sarah Meharg

You can’t control a whole damn family, but you can control you, and any time you can control you, the family is a healthier organism. That is a reason to become a self. The more you can become a self, the more to your advantage, and the family’s.

Sarah Meharg, MSW PLLC

About Sarah Meharg, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW

My approach:

What does that mean in practice?

Me:

In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?

Sarah Meharg

You can’t control a whole damn family, but you can control you, and any time you can control you, the family is a healthier organism. That is a reason to become a self. The more you can become a self, the more to your advantage, and the family’s.

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