Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 19 ratings

Sarah Kelley

LCSW, 12 years of experience

Frequently rebooked

Warm
Solution oriented
Authentic

About me

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.

Specialties

Top specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

My 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.

Location

Virtual
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 19 ratings

2 ratings with written reviews

May 15, 2025

Sarah has been great to talk to. It's obvious that she understands the clinical side of therapy, but her approach is very warm and down to earth. It makes it easy to share my experiences without fear of judgment, and I believe that's one of the most important aspects of successful talk therapy. She's open about sharing solution-based insights and even personal stories of her own that make it easier to relate on a deeper human to human level. I look forward to working with her again.

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 2 with Sarah

April 17, 2025

Framing amazing

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 1 with Sarah