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SB Portrait of Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Compassionate, practical support for life transitions

LCSW, LISW-CP North Carolina

Experience
6 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem
Approaches
Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Sarah

About Sarah

Sarah Burns is a licensed social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, and low self-esteem. She offers straightforward support for depression, compassion fatigue, relationship and intimacy questions, and trouble sleeping.

Background and approach

Her approach aims to meet people where they are and move at a pace that feels manageable. She combines practical tools with conversations that clarify what matters most to the client.

That can look like learning ways to cope when panic or intrusive thoughts arise or practicing clearer communication around commitment and attachment concerns. Sarah draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful patterns and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients align actions with values.

Gottman Method ideas inform her work on relationship topics, focusing on improving everyday interactions and rebuilding connection. Attachment-based perspectives guide understanding of how early bonds shape current patterns.

Sessions are person-centered and meant to be collaborative rather than prescriptive. With six years of clinical experience, Sarah holds an LCSW and an LISW-CP and practices in North Carolina.

She is familiar with issues that often co-occur, such as addiction, codependency, caregiver stress, loneliness, and life-purpose questions. She also supports people dealing with trauma, abandonment, aging-related concerns, and challenges common to veterans and armed forces members.

Therapy can begin with a short conversation to set goals and expectations. Sarah uses plain language in sessions and focuses on small, achievable steps so people can start feeling different sooner.

How therapy approaches work online

Sarah uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck and then choose actions that match their values. ACT can be useful for anxiety, depression, and finding direction when life feels confusing.

She also uses elements of the Gottman Method to address relationship patterns by improving daily interactions and building small habits that restore connection. Attachment-based ideas are used to understand how early relationship experiences shape current trust and closeness in relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Sarah works together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. That collaborative planning means techniques can change over time as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls let people work visually through interactions and see nonverbal cues. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging support quick reflections, ongoing coaching, or check-ins between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and continue work between meetings.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can Sarah help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem issues, compassion fatigue, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, career stress, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include addiction, caregiver stress, codependency, and panic disorder.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is person-centered and collaborative. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps and conversations that match a client's pace and goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has six years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an LCSW and an LISW-CP and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not taking international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How do fees and getting started work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCompassion fatigue

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

6+ years

Licensed in

North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts

Languages

English