Sarah Coppenrath

LICSW, 7 years of experience
Solution oriented
Empowering
Authentic
VirtualAvailable

Hello, I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with several years of experience supporting adults navigating severe and persistent mental illness. I have completed specialized trainings and certifications in mood and thought disorders, as well as perinatal and maternal mental health. These experiences allow me to bring a broad, thoughtful perspective to my work while remaining committed to ongoing learning and growth as a clinician with each client I meet. I believe therapy should be a collaborative, supportive process tailored to your unique needs and goals. Life changes and unexpected challenges can bring about complex or conflicting emotions, and my approach is not to avoid or minimize these experiences, but to validate and explore them together. I aim to create a space where your thoughts and feelings are acknowledged and understood in the context of your lived experiences. Through our work, we will focus on developing coping strategies that feel authentic and meaningful to you. I strive to offer encouragement, insight, and gentle challenge when appropriate, while serving as an unbiased sounding board in a safe and supportive environment. Everyone deserves someone in their corner—someone to listen, to help make sense of difficult moments, and to walk alongside them through growth and change. I would be honored to do this work with you.

Get to know me

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

Entering the therapeutic space can feel both challenging and anxiety-provoking, while also holding the possibility of relief, growth, and renewal. I recognize the courage, strength, and commitment to yourself that it takes to attend a first session, and I honor that step. Our initial meeting is also shaped by the reality that we are, in many ways, strangers. Because of this, I view the first session as an important opportunity to begin building rapport and to establish a foundation of trust, safety, and collaboration. My priority is to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where you can show up exactly as you are. During this session, my role is primarily to listen and to learn. I will take time to hear your story and to understand what has brought you to therapy at this point in your life. Together, we will explore your personal history, any current challenges or stressors you may be navigating, and the goals or hopes you have for therapy. There is no expectation to share everything at once; we will move at a pace that feels comfortable and respectful to you. I will also offer guidance and structure as needed, helping to clarify what you might want from our work together and answering any questions you have about the therapeutic process. Therapy is a collaborative experience, and our first session is the beginning of developing a shared understanding of how we can work together in a way that best supports you. Above all, my goal is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and grounded in the knowledge that you do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone. This is the start of creating a space where reflection, growth, and meaningful change can unfold—together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Throughout my years as a clinician, I have consistently reflected on both my strengths and areas for continued growth as a provider. I am intentional about understanding myself, my role, and my skill set so that I can show up as the most grounded, effective, and authentic version of myself during our work together. I bring a broad range of clinical experience, having worked across diverse settings including inpatient environments (such as hospitals and correctional facilities) and outpatient settings (including schools, community-based treatment centers, and shelter programs). I have supported individuals across the lifespan—children, adolescents, and adults—with varied backgrounds, experiences, and presenting concerns. These experiences have shaped my understanding that, regardless of where we are mentally, emotionally, or physically, our core human needs are deeply aligned. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to meet clients where they are. I prioritize creating a therapeutic process that moves at a pace that feels safe, respectful, and supportive. I strive to be a steady, engaged presence as you process challenges, reflect on your experiences, and work toward meaningful change. My goal is not for therapy to last forever, but to support you in building the skills, self-trust, and sense of security needed to move forward independently when you are ready. I view therapy as a space for growth, empowerment, and preparation for life beyond our work together. Until that time, I bring my full self into the room. I am empathetic, compassionate, humane, and respectful—and I believe that appropriate humor can be a powerful tool for connection, relief, and resilience. Above all, I am committed to walking alongside you with care, curiosity, and authenticity.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

As humans, we all move through seasons of change. Some seasons feel empowering and energizing, while others can feel disorienting, overwhelming, or unexpected. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, pregnancy-related concerns, or other life stressors and transitions, I am here to support you. Our work together can be a space to gently explore the root causes of negative thought patterns, self-doubt, and low self-confidence, while also building the skills needed to navigate these experiences more independently over time. My goal is to offer therapeutic, nonjudgmental support as we explore both vulnerability and strength, helping you move toward greater clarity, resilience, and self-trust. I enjoy working with individuals with a wide range of presenting concerns and life circumstances. Based on my education, training, and clinical experience, I am particularly well suited to support individuals experiencing anxiety and mood-related symptoms. Together, we will work to develop coping strategies that feel practical and authentic, especially during periods of heightened distress or symptom exacerbation. I am also deeply honored to support individuals who have experienced loss. Grief can take many forms and rarely follows a linear path. I strive to be a steady, compassionate presence during painful moments, offering space to process emotions while exploring pathways forward toward healing and meaning. I have a strong passion for working with women in the perinatal and maternal mental health space. This is a uniquely vulnerable and often underacknowledged period in a woman’s life. It is a time marked by significant emotional, physical, and identity shifts—adjusting expectations of oneself and others, redefining a sense of self, and navigating profound internal and external changes. I believe it is essential that individuals in this season feel supported, understood, and validated. Additionally, I feel strongly about supporting individuals in young adulthood. This stage of life often involves managing expectations, exploring independence, developing identity, and navigating relationships, responsibilities, and societal pressures. It is a critical and formative time that can feel confusing or overwhelming, yet it is frequently misunderstood. I aim to provide a supportive space where young adults can explore who they are becoming and how they want to engage with the world around them. If you find yourself in a season of transition, uncertainty, or growth, my hope is to offer a space where you feel supported, challenged, and empowered as you move forward.

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Location
Virtual
My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps individuals identify patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and understand how these patterns impact daily life. CBT is grounded in the principle that psychological difficulties are often influenced, in part, by unhelpful thinking or learned behavioral patterns. By recognizing these patterns, individuals can develop practical skills to challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts, modify behaviors that may be limiting, and build effective coping strategies for managing stress and difficult emotions. In my work, I guide clients through this process in a collaborative and supportive way. Together, we identify thought and behavior patterns that may be interfering with your well-being and explore strategies to shift these patterns toward more adaptive and functional approaches. CBT also emphasizes problem-solving skills, helping you respond to challenges with greater flexibility and confidence. Through our work, clients often gain a stronger sense of self-efficacy, learning how to navigate uncomfortable emotions, manage stress, and calm both body and mind. My goal is to help you develop tools and strategies that not only address current difficulties but also provide long-lasting skills for managing future challenges.

Strength-Based

A strengths-based approach is central to my work and informs all aspects of treatment. I believe that focusing on strengths is essential for building trust, safety, and collaboration within the therapeutic relationship. This approach emphasizes identifying and honoring both the strengths that I observe as a clinician and those that you recognize in yourself. Doing so fosters empowerment, self-confidence, and a sense of agency in your growth and healing. By keeping your internal strengths, skills, and potential at the forefront of our work, we can support your ability to develop effective problem-solving strategies, achieve meaningful goals, and build resilience. A strengths-based approach also creates a safe and supportive environment where you can be encouraged and challenged, explore difficult experiences, and stretch toward growth—all while feeling secure and understood. In practice, this means that therapy is not solely focused on challenges or deficits, but on your capacity, resources, and potential for change. Together, we work to enhance your sense of self-efficacy, cultivate confidence in your abilities, and foster meaningful, lasting progress.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented approach that I incorporate throughout our work together. It is designed to support behavior change by exploring and strengthening your personal motivations, values, and goals. In MI, you are recognized as the expert of your own life and experiences, while I provide guidance, support, and encouragement as we navigate your path toward meaningful change. This approach emphasizes understanding your intrinsic reasons for change and exploring what is most important to you. Together, we will identify and build on your internal motivation, supporting your commitment to goals in a way that feels authentic and achievable. MI is grounded in acceptance, compassion, and respect for your autonomy—you remain in control of your choices and the pace of change. Through this process, clients often gain clarity about what they truly want, feel empowered to take actionable steps, and develop confidence in their ability to create meaningful change in their lives.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

Person-centered therapy is a non-directive, collaborative approach in which I partner with you in the therapeutic process. This approach is grounded in the belief that you are the expert of your own life and experiences, and that every individual has an inherent capacity for growth and self-actualization—the drive to reach your potential and become the best version of yourself. Through person-centered therapy, I provide a space rooted in understanding, respect, and unconditional acceptance. This environment supports you in accessing your own strengths, fostering self-acceptance, and deepening self-understanding. My goal is to empower you to trust yourself, live authentically, and create positive, meaningful change in your life. By centering your perspective and experiences, this approach encourages self-exploration and personal growth while emphasizing your autonomy, resilience, and capacity for transformation.

Attachment-based

Attachment-based therapy focuses on understanding and healing how early childhood attachment experiences influence present-day functioning and relationships. Rooted in Bowlby’s attachment theory, this approach emphasizes that early interactions with caregivers significantly shape how we form and maintain relationships throughout our lives. In this work, we explore patterns in how you engage in relationships—whether with friends, colleagues, romantic partners, or family—and examine how you give and receive love, navigate conflict, and establish trust. We also reflect on questions such as: Do you feel confident and secure in relationships? Do you fear abandonment or rejection? Do you rely primarily on yourself rather than others? Understanding these patterns can provide insight into how your attachment style influences your current relationships and interactions with the world. Attachment-based therapy also incorporates practical skills work, including coping strategies and communication skills, to support healthier relational patterns. The overarching goal is to help you develop a secure attachment style characterized by trust, emotional regulation, intimacy, and the ability to engage in fulfilling, balanced relationships. Through this approach, you can strengthen your connections with others while fostering a deeper sense of safety and confidence within yourself.

, 8 ratings

1 rating with written reviews

April 25, 2025

I had my first session with Sarah today, and it was a wonderful experience! She is incredibly easy to talk to, which made me feel comfortable right away. Her knowledge and expertise were evident as she guided our conversation and offered insightful perspectives. I left the session feeling hopeful. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey with her.

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 1 with Sarah