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Sarah Kress

LCSW (she/her)7 years of experience
5.0 (29)
Warm
Authentic
Empowering

I bring a holistic counseling approach to my work with clients, with an emphasis on physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and psychological well-being. While exploring the nature and impact of mental illness is very important, I think it is just as important to help clients develop practical strategies to restore balance and learn skills for happiness and thriving. My counseling approach integrates techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and mood disorders; internal family systems (IFS) and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for healing complex and acute trauma; as well as exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for phobias and OCD.

Prior to graduate school, I worked as a tobacco cessation specialist in the public health field, where I facilitated support groups for clients with nicotine addiction.

Additionally, I integrate current research from the field of positive psychology, as well as Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, into my counseling approach to meet every client's individual needs. I am an inclusive and affirming therapist who is humble and respectful regarding domains of human diversity. My sessions are an affirming and safe place for LGBTQ+ clients and anyone who is impacted by systems of racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and other forms of marginalization by society. I have several years of experience working as a therapist and have been working with clients in helping roles for over a decade. My background includes working as an outpatient therapist in community mental health, higher education, intensive OCD treatment, as well as telehealth and private practice settings. I have prior experience working in other helping roles as well including child welfare, public health, and home healthcare fields. Throughout these experiences, I have remained deeply committed to helping others heal, grow, and thrive. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my approach. I look forward to working with you!

First session

Your first session will include plenty of time for us to get to know each other and to explore your reason for seeking counseling. The first session usually includes questions about your personal history, mental and physical health history, as well as any stressors you are currently facing. I have all clients complete a short safety assessment and support plan we we begin working together as well.

Strengths

Due to my background in social work, I view most problems within a social justice perspective, which means looking at a person's unique social identity, culture, heritage, and conditions in the larger society in which they live to identify contributing factors to their mental health symptoms and opportunities for solutions.

Ideal clients

I work best with adults who want individual therapy. I am currently licensed in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Massachusetts, and am a registered telehealth provider in Idaho, South Carolina, and Florida as well. At this time I am only providing virtual sessions. Session times range from 45-60 minutes and I am able to see clients multiple times per week when needed.

Treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I have over six years of experience providing therapy to individuals with a variety of mental health challenges using evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), as well as EMDR and IFS informed therapy. I specialize in treating complex and acute trauma, anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), phobias, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as mood disorders such as bipolar I and II, and major depressive disorder.

Location

Virtual sessions

Reviews and ratings

5.0 rating (29)8 reviews
October 7, 2026

Checked out 5 therapists and read the summaries and reviews. Extremely happy with my choice. Looking forward to working with Sarah! Thanks

Verified client, age 55-64Review shared after session 1 with Sarah
September 25, 2026

Talking through my events of today lowered my anxiety tremendously. Thank you so much Sarah☺️🤗

Verified client, age 25-34Review shared after session 1 with Sarah
September 1, 2026

Sarah is awesome and really can define a quality summary of my distress. There is no measurable amount gratitude for someone with that capacity of understanding. It's just the best.

Verified client, age 35-44Review shared after session 1 with Sarah

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