Sara Sutherland, LMSW - Therapist in Michigan

About Sara

Sara Sutherland is a licensed master social worker practicing in Michigan. She focuses on family and parenting concerns alongside stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes. She aims to make people feel seen and heard while helping them work toward change.

Her style is warm and straightforward, with attention to practical steps that fit everyday life. Sara earned her bachelor’s degree at Hope College, where she studied social work and psychology.

Background and approach

She then completed a master’s degree in clinical social work at Western Michigan University. Her training supports work in clinical settings and with health-related issues. Her background includes roles in independent practice, health care, and hospice care.

Those experiences shaped her approach to grief, chronic illness, and end-of-life topics. She also has experience with mood concerns, trauma, addiction, and identity-related issues. Sara uses a mix of familiar, evidence-informed approaches.

She draws on client-centered listening to understand what matters to each person. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to address thinking and behavior patterns, and mindfulness skills to ground people in the moment. In sessions she aims to be genuine and supportive.

She works with each person to set realistic goals and small steps toward change. Her approach emphasizes clear communication and practical tools that clients can try between meetings.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Sara commonly uses client-centered listening and cognitive behavioral therapy in her online work. Client-centered listening focuses on understanding each person without judgment and prioritizes their goals and values. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at thoughts and behaviors and offers concrete skills to reduce distress and change unhelpful patterns.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before to find the best path. That collaborative process helps shape which techniques are used and how sessions are paced.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. These formats make it easier to connect from home or during busy days and allow for flexible scheduling. The variety of options also lets people try shorter check-ins or longer video sessions depending on what works best.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Sara address?

She supports issues like stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting, relationship and family problems, trauma, addiction, and identity concerns including LGBT topics.

What is her therapeutic style?

Sara blends warm, client-centered listening with practical tools. She aims to help people feel seen while working toward small, achievable changes.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has eight years of experience working in independent practice, health care, and hospice settings.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds the LMSW credential with licence MI LMSW 6801106679 and practices from Michigan.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How is cost structured?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started with therapy?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 8 years
Licensed: Michigan
Languages: English

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