Licensed to practice in Connecticut and accepts 38 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, LGBTQ and 1 more.

Dr. Sarah MacDonald

(she/her)

LCSW, 15 years of experience
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VirtualAvailable

About me

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Doctorate in Social Work and more than 15 years of experience, I strive to create a warm, supportive, and judgment-free space where clients feel comfortable being themselves, openly exploring concerns, and working toward meaningful growth and healing at their own pace. My clinical focus includes supporting individuals experiencing emotional and behavioral concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and a variety of life challenges. Many of the individuals I work with are navigating stress, major life transitions, relationship concerns, or feelings of being overwhelmed, and are seeking greater balance, clarity, and fulfillment in their lives. In addition to traditional therapy, I incorporate elements of life coaching to help clients identify goals, build confidence, and develop practical strategies that promote resilience and growth. I also have extensive experience working with individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community, with a strong emphasis on providing gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary teens and youth. Creating an inclusive, affirming, and culturally responsive space is central to my work, and I am committed to supporting clients as they explore identity, navigate personal and systemic challenges, and build self-acceptance. I work with individuals across the lifespan and tailor my approach using a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to ensure treatment is individualized and effective. My goal is to partner with each client to identify strengths, address barriers, and support ongoing emotional well-being and personal empowerment.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we will focus on getting to know one another and beginning to build a strong therapeutic relationship in a way that feels comfortable and supportive for you. We will start at your pace, discussing your experiences, concerns, and what has brought you to therapy. Together, we will collaborate to identify your goals and develop an individualized treatment plan that reflects your needs and priorities. Throughout our work, I utilize evidence-based and clinically informed approaches to help guide the process, while ensuring that therapy remains collaborative, respectful, and focused on supporting meaningful progress toward your personal goals.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I pride myself on creating a safe place for patient to be completely opened an honest about their feelings and any struggles they may be having. I believe my biggest strength is not only being relatable and professional at the same time.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

In my work with LGBTQIA+ clients, I strive to provide inclusive and affirming care while supporting individuals through concerns related to identity, relationships, self-esteem, family dynamics, stress, discrimination, and overall mental wellness. I also work with adults experiencing depression and anxiety by helping clients build coping skills, improve emotional regulation, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and develop healthier ways of managing stress and daily functioning. In addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, I incorporate elements of life coaching to help clients identify personal goals, improve motivation, increase confidence, and create meaningful change in different areas of their lives. This may include support with work-life balance, communication, relationships, self-care, personal growth, and developing greater clarity and direction for the future. My overall goal is to help clients feel supported while building the tools and insight needed to move toward lasting growth and stability.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Other specialties

Identifies as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a central approach in my practice, as it is a well-established, evidence-based method for addressing concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, and a variety of life challenges. In my work, I support clients in exploring the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, helping to identify patterns that may contribute to distress or interfere with personal growth. Through CBT, clients learn practical strategies to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, strengthen coping skills, and develop more balanced and adaptive responses to difficult situations. In addition to CBT, I integrate elements of narrative therapy to help clients explore the stories they tell about themselves and their experiences. This approach allows individuals to reframe limiting narratives, highlight strengths, and develop a more empowering sense of identity. I also incorporate mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques to support clients in building present-moment awareness, managing stress, and improving emotional regulation. By blending these approaches, my goal is to provide clients with both insight and practical tools they can apply within and beyond sessions, helping them feel more confident in navigating challenges and creating meaningful, lasting change.

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This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.