Sarah Kelley
Sarah Kelley
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW/LICSW) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), licensed in the states of Connecticut (CT), Virginia (VA), North Carolina (NC), Massachusetts (MA), and Florida (FL). With over a decade of experience, I specialize in helping individuals heal from the lasting impact of trauma and various other negative life experiences. My clinical work is rooted in a trauma-informed approach, with advanced training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)—both evidence-based treatments that have been shown to significantly reduce trauma-related symptoms and promote sustainable, long-term healing. In addition to these approaches, I also integrate CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) and CBT-N (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares) into trauma work when appropriate. Since sleep disturbances are a common and often overlooked component of trauma, these targeted interventions can be incredibly beneficial. By helping clients improve sleep quality and reduce trauma-related nightmares, CBT-I and CBT-N not only address important symptoms but also enhance overall emotional regulation and resilience. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where healing can begin, and clients can regain a sense of control, stability, and hope.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My approach is supportive, empathetic and, above all, pragmatic. Whether you seek to make a major change, overcome current life stressors, or to break a chronic pattern, I will assist you in meeting your needs.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I support individuals coping with PTSD, abuse, neglect, complex grief, relational trauma, and other adverse life events. My approach is client-centered and grounded in safety, trust, and collaboration. I aim to create a non-judgmental, empowering space where you can process difficult experiences at your own pace.
About Sarah Kelley
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
I often use Cognitive Processing Therapy in my practice which mainly targets PTSD and other related symptoms such as Depression and Anxiety. In your first session, we'll explore what brought you to therapy and then decide the most appropriate ways to help you make progress. With CPT, we'll look at how your thoughts affect your emotions and your experiences in order to find balance between pre- and post-trauma beliefs.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals manage mental and physical health problems by changing the way they think and behave. I support individuals in identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts in order to increase daily functioning.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured psychotherapy approach that helps individuals heal from the emotional distress associated with traumatic memories or disturbing life experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to talk in detail about your traumatic experiences. Instead, it focuses on changing the way those memories are stored in the brain to reduce their emotional charge.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
CBT-I focuses on restructuring the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are contributing to insomnia. Therapy techniques involve stimulus control, sleep restriction, and relaxation training. Most individuals who try CBT-I experience improvements to their insomnia and better quality sleep. CBT-I is considered effective for both short-term insomnia and chronic insomnia. *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares is an additional treatment method. CBT for Nightmares (CBT-N) is a short-term, multi-component, behavioral treatment for chronic nightmares, designed to reduce their frequency and intensity and improve sleep and daytime functioning. CBT-N helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to nightmares, ultimately aiming to reduce the distress and improve sleep quality.