Dr. Kim Saft, PhD, LCSW, Mental Health Therapy

Dr. Kim Saft, PhD, LCSW, Mental Health Therapy Dr. Kim Saft Therapy centers on my approach to mental health treatment. I help my clients develop self-love and self-trust and navigate relationships.

My office is in Pittsburgh, PA and I work internationally via telehealth and in a retreat setting. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have my Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology. I am an Advanced Clinician in Imago Relationship Therapy, a Certified Life Coach, and have been in private practice since 1998. My focus with my clients is helping them develop self-love and self-trust. I am exp

erienced in working with individuals facing the challenges of recovery from addictions, including drug, alcohol, food, gambling and other addictive behaviors, as well as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, women's issues, and life transitions. Clients work with me on improving self-esteem, building self-confidence, and enhancing self-image. Body image concerns, as well as healing from trauma and abuse, gaining spiritual clarity, and developing healthy relationships are also primary issues that I focus on with my clients. I utilize a variety of experiential exercises, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), visualization and relaxation techniques, as well as teaching new coping skills to help my clients ensure that the insights they gain in therapy result in changed behaviors and an enhanced quality of life. As an Advanced Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, I specialize in working with couples in all stages of their relationship. I use the healing techniques of Imago Therapy to enhance communication and develop increased safety and empathy between the relationship partners. Imago techniques have been proven to truly change the dynamic of relationships to ones that are healing and supportive. My clients report a true sense of change in their lives as a result of working together. They are often in sustained recovery from addiction, co-dependency, and other debilitating disorders. I tend to have truly amazing relationships with my clients. I always strive to support them in a non-judgmental manner that provides them with the validation and empathy they usually never got as they developed. It is the relationship between my clients and I that has proven to be a key element in their change process. Truly, I love my work; it is my passion. It is a gift to be a part of my client's journeys of transformation. It's pretty amazing to witness such growth!

04/24/2026

Setting Boundaries Isn't Selfish
Most people don’t realize this.
When you don't set boundaries and look out for others over self, your fear side is trying to protect you.
But protection isn’t the same as growth.
Your authentic side knows:
You can handle discomfort.
You can handle feedback.
You can handle what comes next.
You don’t need to stay small to stay safe.

04/23/2026

You're NOT TOO MUCH!
“You are too much”.
If you’ve ever heard that voice in your head, that’s not your authentic self.
That’s your fear side trying to protect you by keeping you small by shaming you for being too much.
It learned that if it criticizes you first, you won’t risk getting hurt.
But it doesn’t work — it just keeps you stuck.
The moment you notice that voice, pause and ask:
Who’s driving right now — fear side or authentic side?
✨ Growth is fabulous.

04/22/2026

That voice in your head isn’t truth.
It’s your fear side trying to protect you from rejection and failure.
But it does it by criticizing you first.
You are not your thoughts.
You’re the one who can choose how to respond to them.

04/21/2026

You're NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Stop beating yourself down.
It’s your fear side trying to avoid conflict, rejection, or discomfort,
trying to keep you 'safe'.
But every time you do this, you teach yourself:
“My needs don’t matter. I don't matter".
Your authentic side doesn’t shrink to stay safe.
It shows up clearly, calmly, and honestly.
You’re allowed to take up space.

04/20/2026

You Believe What You Think
Stop believing all your thoughts.
Most people think if they think it, it's real.
It’s not.
It’s your fear side trying to avoid conflict, rejection, or discomfort-keep you small and 'safe' enough.
But every time you do this, you teach yourself:
I am my fears. You are not.
Your authentic side doesn’t shrink to stay safe.
It shows up clearly, calmly, and honestly.
Knowing your worth and value the entire way.

04/19/2026

“You messed up.”�“You disappointed them again.”
That voice?
That’s your fear side — not your authentic self.
It thinks criticizing you will protect you…�but it just keeps you small.
You can handle what’s coming.�You can speak your truth.
Who’s driving right now?

04/17/2026

How Do You Talk to Yourself?
“You messed up.”
“You disappointed them again.”
That voice?
That’s your fear side — not your authentic self.
It thinks criticizing you will protect you…
but it just keeps you small.
Your Authentic Side is kind and compassionate.
There's a whole different tone.
Who’s driving right now?

04/16/2026

YOU ARE AFRAID TO DISAPPOINT PEOPLE
If you are afraid to disappoint people, this might be why.
Your fear side learned somewhere along the way that this was the safest way to handle things.
So now it:
• worries about upsetting others
• berates you for disappointing people
• minimizes your own feelings

It’s not because something is wrong with you.
It’s because something was learned.
And the moment you become aware of it…
You can start choosing differently.

04/15/2026

YOU ARE A BURDEN
That voice?
That’s your fear side — not your authentic self.
It thinks criticizing and shaming you will protect you…
but it just keeps you small.
You can handle what’s coming.
You have a right to take up space.

Who’s driving right now?

04/14/2026

If you say yes when you mean no, this might be why.
Your fear side learned somewhere along the way that this was the safest way to handle things.
So now it:
• gives more than you'd like
• puts others' needs above your own
• stays small and shrinks
It’s not because something is wrong with you.
It’s because something was learned.
And the moment you become aware of it…
You can start choosing differently.
Yes When You Mean No?

04/13/2026

If you are always striving for perfection, this might be why.
Your fear side learned somewhere along the way that this was the safest way to handle things.
So now it:
keeps beating you up to keep you small. Keeps moving the target of perfection so you KNOW you are not good enough, thereby keeping you 'safe enough' in known pain.
It’s not because something is wrong with you.
It’s because something was learned.
And the moment you become aware of it…
You can start choosing differently.

04/12/2026

Ask Yourself This...who's driving?
Then, go from fearful, anxious and insecure to grounded and present, authentic side driving.
1. Awareness
Notice what’s happening.
“Who’s driving right now?”
2. Acceptance (without judgment)
“It makes sense my fear side is activated.”
3. Choice
Now your authentic side can respond.
This is how you build self-trust.
One moment at a time.
✨ Growth is fabulous.

Address

Beechwood Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA
15217

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About me

I am experienced in working with individuals facing the challenges of recovery from addictions, including drug, alcohol, food, gambling and other addictive behaviors, as well as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, women's issues, and life transitions. Clients work with me on improving self-esteem, building self-trust, and enhancing self-image. Body image concerns, as well as healing from trauma and abuse, gaining spiritual clarity, and developing healthy relationships are also primary issues that I focus on with my clients. I utilize a variety of experiential exercises, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), visualization and relaxation techniques, as well as teaching new coping skills to help my clients ensure that the insights they gain in therapy result in changed behaviors and an enhanced quality of life. As a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, I specialize in working with couples in all stages of their relationship. I use the healing techniques of Imago Therapy to enhance communication and develop increased safety and empathy between the relationship partners. Imago techniques have been proven to truly change the dynamic of relationships that are healing and supportive. My clients report a true sense of change in their lives as a result of working together. They are often in sustained recovery from addiction, co-dependency, and other debilitating disorders. I tend to have truly amazing relationships with my clients. I always strive to support them in a non-judgmental manner that provides them with the validation and empathy they usually never got as they developed. It is the relationship between my clients and I that has proven to be a key element in their change process. Truly, I love my work; it is my passion. I feel blessed to be a part of my client's journeys of transformation. It's pretty amazing to witness such change.