Waking Up and Letting Go
I'm one of those people that had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I spent my fair share of time searching in the wrong places and at 21-years-old I found the answer. However, at the time I wasn't willing to admit it. I was afraid of owning my dream, because I was sure I would fail. I let go of the dream of becoming a psychotherapist and went on to work in the high-tech industry in marketing.
Around my 30th birthday I woke up to the idea that the money coming in from the Internet boom was not enough. I had no passion for the work I was doing and I felt incredibly empty. I realized then that my day to day activities felt like they had no purpose. So, I dug deep and re-ignited the dream. With a new found confidence and a passion for change I enrolled in the Graduate School for Social Work at the University of Denver. I graduated with my Masters in Social Work in 2002.
Since the change, I have not looked back once! and my dream, I live it every day. The gratitude I feel for this is profound as I know not many people get to say they love what they do, that they look forward to going to work and that they continue to learn every day.
Waking up is what empowered me to let go of what I thought I was supposed to be and to let go of the beliefs that told me I was sure to fail. My life is a series of moments of waking up and letting go. Sometimes these moments are huge and completely change the direction of my life. Other times these moments are smaller and change the course of that moment or day.
I value professional development and find it essential for my practice. I participate in both individual and group consultation, and I make it a priority to attend conferences, training's, and/or workshops each year. These are the things that help me stay awake and vital in my practice.
2014 Recipient of the Most Distinguished Clinician Award from The Colorado Society for Clinical Social Work
“Sarah is the type of clinician I hope to be on my best days. She shows up to her clinical work aware of herself, attuned to the empathic needs and vulnerability of others, and with a wide open heart. Sarah practices with humility and continues to hone her craft with a thirst for knowledge. She exemplifies the best of what clinicians can be as she seeks first a deeper knowledge of herself so that she might better understand the needs of her clients.”
“Sarah Phillips has the amazing combination of exceptional clinical skills and yet has a wholehearted presence that is comforting and kind. She is truly awake and on the journey with her clients. She has done her own personal work and continues to do so and in doing so, honors the clients she touches, by telling them ‘you are worth the time and so am I.’ Those individuals lucky enough to know her, know the experience of honestly being seen and valued. ”