Sarah Axley, LCSW - Therapist in Virginia

About Sarah

Sarah Axley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who focuses on helping parents and caregivers facing stress, anxiety, grief, and parenting challenges. She speaks plain language and helps people break problems into manageable steps. She aims to build a working relationship where goals are clear and progress is steady.

Sarah practices with patience and respect for each person’s pace and strengths. Sarah earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Aging Studies through VCU’s Department of Gerontology.

Background and approach

She has provided psychotherapy since 2009 across outpatient clinics, intensive community settings, and a hospital where she currently works full time. She received her License in Clinical Social Work in 2012 - LCSW. Her clinical background includes work with depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, anxiety, trauma, substance use, autism spectrum disorders, and grief.

She also has experience addressing stress related to public health and social issues. Sarah describes herself as LGBTQ+ informed and attends to identity-related needs when relevant. In sessions she blends client-centered work with specific methods like cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and narrative tasks.

Practical skill-building and small, doable homework between visits are common. Sarah emphasizes strengths and resilience, helping people recognize what already works for them. Her approach is collaborative: she and the client map goals together and choose strategies that fit daily life.

She works with adults and offers services in English from Virginia, including options for international clients.

Practical approaches for remote family and parenting support

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the client. The therapist creates a respectful space to identify goals and supports the client in choosing what to work on. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches specific skills to change them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and sleep or stress problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit daily life, and adjust them together. Sessions are collaborative and can include practice tasks between meetings so changes carry into real life.

Online therapy offers several practical options: video calls for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions when video is not possible, and live chat or text messaging for shorter check-ins or ongoing support. These formats make it easier to fit sessions around work, school, and caregiving. They also allow consistent contact from different locations and support gradual progress through regular, flexible contact with a licensed professional.

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.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, sleep problems, parenting concerns, trauma and related issues listed in her profile.

What is her general therapy style?

She uses a collaborative, client-centered approach and mixes in structured techniques to teach new skills and change unhelpful thinking.

What training and experience does she have?

She has 15 years of clinical experience and has worked in outpatient clinics, community-based programs, and a hospital setting.

What credential does she hold and where is she located?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - VA LCSW 0904008055, and provides services from Virginia.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and she is available to work with international clients.

How are sessions delivered?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the client’s preference.

How are fees handled?

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

What should I do to begin working with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 15 years
Licensed: Virginia
Languages: English

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