Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Greenstein.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always felt that my career is more of a calling than a job. After an unexpected move to Texas during high school, I returned home to California for college, where I pursued a Human Development degree at UCSD. This interdisciplinary program allowed me to explore the nuances of psychology, communication, and social systems, laying the groundwork for a career rooted in both personal connection and social justice.
My first full-time role was as a Bilingual Employment Specialist at Covenant House California, where I supported transition-aged youth experiencing homelessness. That experience fueled my decision to earn a Master’s in Social Welfare from UCLA, where I trained in community mental health and education settings, diving deep into both micro and macro practice. Over the years, I’ve worked with underserved youth in LA and Portland, adults facing ALS, and families navigating school and mental health systems.
After moving back to North County San Diego in 2014, I became a School Counselor at the San Diego Jewish Academy, where I spent nearly a decade helping build an inclusive, emotionally healthy school culture. I was trained as a Youth Mental Health First Aid facilitator and a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion teacher to help cultivate awareness of the importance of social emotional learning and wellness in our community. During the pandemic, I launched a private practice to meet the urgent need for support. . . starting with masked, distanced group sessions outdoors in local parks as well as individual sessions in people’s backyards.
That small backyard practice has since grown into a full-time private practice in Encinitas, where I work with kids, teens, and adults. I continue to be inspired by the courage and resilience of the people I meet, and feel honored to walk alongside them as they reconnect with themselves and each other.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a private practice in mental health felt paradoxical at first, especially with my social work background rooted in serving the underprivileged. I struggled with the idea of charging private pay fees. After years of demanding work in schools and nonprofits, the financial needs of raising three teenagers in San Diego, combined with the clear demand for accessible therapists, made private practice the natural next step. With support from my husband- who himself navigated a mid-life career change during the pandemic – and guidance from incredible mentors, I built the skills I never imagined needing, allowing me to stay true to my role as a connector, counselor, and advisor while growing my practice.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sarah Greenstein Psychotherapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My psychotherapy private practice is built on my belief in the power of human connection in healing and helping us thrive. I specialize in showing up as my authentic self with full, non- judgmental presence and deep felt empathy, creating a foundation where clients can discover their truths and cultivate self-compassion. Using a responsive, client-centered, identity-affirming approach, I support both youth and adults in navigating challenges while connecting to their inner resilience and external resources.
My services include individual and family counseling, psychoeducational and therapy groups, workshop facilitation and public speaking events on topics like mindful parenting, teenage resilience, educator/caregiver burnout, coping with anxiety/depression, embodied presence/self-compassion. I love facilitating workshops for groups of parents and staff teams, and am often recognized for my accessible and empowering leadership style. Licensed in and serving both California and Oregon, I offer in-person and telehealth modalities for all of my services. My background across medical, community, educational and mental health settings allows me to offer care that is both personal and versatile, and I’m proud to build a practice where authenticity and genuine connection set the tone for lasting growth.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The best thing about San Diego is that everybody loves to come visit! Having moved a lot throughout my life, I have a lot of long distance friends and family who are grateful to have an excuse to make the trip to San Diego to enjoy the natural beauty of our beaches and nearby mountains and deserts, good food and good vibes. The threat of wildfire feels like the biggest con lately . . . along with the cliché expanding “rush hour” that starts at 2:00, or even earlier on a beautiful beach day!
Pricing:
- In the Spring Health EAP Network
- $185 fee for a 50 minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahgreenstein.com/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sarah-greenstein-encinitas-ca/775266
