LCSW, 27 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, my name is Dr. Yvette Sabater-Lenk, I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience working with children, teens, and adults who face challenges related to behavioral difficulties, emotional dysregulation, developmental disabilities, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. I also work with individuals navigating the complexities of borderline personality traits, trauma, and interpersonal challenges. My approach is grounded in a collaborative, strengths-based philosophy. I believe that every client has the capacity for growth and resilience, and therapy is most effective when it is tailored to the unique needs, goals, and experiences of each individual. I integrate evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), solution-focused strategies, mindfulness practices, and creative interventions such as art and music therapy. My work emphasizes skill-building, emotional regulation, and self-awareness to empower clients to navigate challenges both in and outside of therapy. When beginning with a new client, I prioritize building trust and creating a safe, supportive space. We start by exploring their goals, experiences, and current challenges, and I work with the client to develop a personalized treatment plan. I encourage active collaboration, open communication, and regular check-ins to ensure that therapy is meaningful, relevant, and effective. My goal is to help the client develop coping strategies, strengthen resilience, and achieve the personal growth they seek.
Your first session is a time for us to get to know each other and create a safe, welcoming space for you. There’s no right or wrong way to feel, this is your time to share at your own pace. We’ll talk about what brought you here, what’s been on your mind, and what goals you hope to work on together. I’ll also explain how we can work together, what therapy looks like, and answer any questions you have. Think of this session as the start of a partnership. My role is to listen, understand, and support you without judgment. You can be honest, curious, or even unsure—that’s completely okay. By the end of our time together, you should feel a little more comfortable, heard, and clear on what the next steps can be.
I’m Dr. Yvette Sabater-Lenk, a licensed clinical social worker who believes in the power of growth and connection. I work with children, teens, and adults navigating emotional challenges, trauma, anxiety, depression, and behavioral struggles. My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and grounded in empathy, I meet clients where they are and help them discover the tools and resilience they already have inside. I’m known for creating a safe, supportive space, tailoring strategies to each person’s needs, and helping clients turn challenges into opportunities for growth. My goal is simple: to empower people to understand themselves, navigate life’s ups and downs, and live with more confidence, clarity, and joy.
My ideal client is someone who is trying their best, even when things feel overwhelming. You might be navigating big feelings, relationship stress, or patterns that keep repeating no matter how hard you try to change them. Maybe you’re feeling anxious, stuck, misunderstood, or simply exhausted from carrying so much on your own. You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. You don’t need to know the “right” words or have a clear plan. What matters most is that you’re willing to show up and explore what healing, growth, and relief might look like for you. I work best with individuals who are open to being supported, gently challenged, and encouraged. If you are curious about your own emotional world, wanting to build confidence and coping skills, or looking to understand yourself more deeply, we’ll be a good fit. You may have experienced trauma, emotional intensity, neurodivergence, or difficulties in relationships—these are all welcome here. In our work together, we will move at your pace, honoring your strengths and lived experiences. I provide a safe, grounded, and compassionate space where you can speak freely, feel seen, and learn practical tools to help you navigate life more peacefully. My goal is to walk alongside you, never in front of you, so that you feel supported as you grow, heal, and rediscover your sense of self. If you are ready to begin, even if you feel unsure, we will start exactly where you are.
In my approach to SFBT, I focus on identifying and amplifying the strengths, abilities, and internal resources that clients already possess. Rather than dwelling on problems or past difficulties, I work with clients to clarify what they want to see change and to envision a preferred future. I use tools such as scaling questions, exception-finding, and the miracle question to highlight progress and build momentum. I view clients as the experts on their own lives and collaborate with them to set achievable steps that support growth. My role is to guide, reflect, and support clients in creating solutions that are meaningful and sustainable to them.
My approach to DBT combines validation of a client’s emotional experience with structured skills training to support behavioral change. I emphasize the four core skill areas of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I help clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while supporting them in managing distressing emotions without acting impulsively or engaging in harmful patterns. I work to create a balance between acceptance and change and encourage clients to practice skills both inside and outside of session. My goal is to help clients develop greater emotional stability, self-awareness, and the capacity to navigate relationships more effectively.
In my couples counseling work, I provide a supportive and neutral environment where both partners feel heard, respected, and safe to express their needs. I help couples understand the underlying patterns driving conflict, including communication barriers, emotional triggers, and unmet needs. I guide partners in developing more effective communication strategies, rebuilding trust, and nurturing empathy and connection. I also recognize that each partner brings their own personal history, cultural background, and relational expectations, and I work to honor these experiences as part of the therapeutic process. My focus is on fostering growth, mutual understanding, and healthier relational patterns.
Cultural humility is a core component of my practice. I recognize that identity, cultural background, community, and lived experience deeply shape how individuals understand themselves and their challenges. Rather than making assumptions, I invite clients to share what aspects of their cultural identity are meaningful to them and how these influence their values and coping styles. I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood, while remaining aware of the broader social, historical, and systemic contexts that impact their lives. I adapt my therapeutic approach to align with each client’s cultural framework and personal worldview.
My approach to Motivational Interviewing is grounded in collaboration, empathy, and respect for client autonomy. I recognize that ambivalence about change is a normal part of the process. Instead of pushing or directing clients, I explore their core values and how their current behaviors align—or do not align—with the life they want to lead. I use reflective listening, open-ended questions, and affirmations to help clients clarify their own reasons for change and strengthen their intrinsic motivation. My role is to support clients in finding their voice, confidence, and readiness to move forward at their own pace.