Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus , LPC, LMHC

Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus welcomes people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or stuck in repeating patterns. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, career concerns, and coaching to help clients move toward clearer choices and more satisfying days. Sara is a licensed professional counselor - LPC and a licensed mental health counselor - LMHC with 26 years of clinical experience.

Her approach is straightforward and warm. She listens first and helps people name what is getting in the way of change. Then she works with them to build practical steps they can try between sessions. Sessions are conversational and focused on solving the problems that matter most right now.

Sara blends several methods to fit the person in front of her. She draws on client-centered ideas to keep the clients goals central. She often uses cognitive behavioral strategies to shift unhelpful thinking and dialectical techniques to teach coping skills for intense emotions. When trauma is part of the history, she may incorporate EMDR methods as appropriate.

Her experience includes helping people cope with abandonment worries, attachment concerns, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, body image struggles, and isolation. She also supports those facing divorce, forgiveness work, guilt and shame, impulsivity, jealousy, and communication problems.

Practicing from West Virginia, Sara offers flexible session formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. She accepts international clients and works with each person to find what fits their life and goals.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the client's lead to clarify goals and values. It helps people feel heard and decide what changes matter most. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful thinking and behavior. That approach is often used for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns. Dialectical behavior therapy, DBT, offers skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for impulsivity, intense reactions, and relationship conflict.

Choosing the right method is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, life demands, and what has or has not helped before. Together they will try approaches that fit the client's needs and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people juggling busy schedules, health issues, or caregiving duties. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quick check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging let clients send short updates, ask questions between sessions, or keep a running conversation when time is tight. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent and relevant to daily life.