CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

SS Portrait of Sara Sutherland

Sara Sutherland

Compassionate support for change and growth

LMSW Michigan

Experience
8 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Sara

About Sara

Sara Sutherland is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, depression, life transitions, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting challenges, trauma and related issues.

Background and approach

She draws on clinical experience from independent practice, health care, and hospice settings to support those facing chronic or terminal illness, end-of-life concerns, and caregiver stress as well as a wide range of mental health and interpersonal difficulties.

Her approach emphasizes being genuinely present and helping clients feel seen and heard while working toward practical change and personal growth. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered techniques, dialectical behavior skills, emotion-focused methods, and mindfulness practices to tailor care to each person’s needs.

With an emphasis on collaboration, she supports people through developing coping skills, improving communication, addressing self-esteem and attachment concerns, and managing mood or attention-related struggles. Sutherland earned undergraduate degrees in social work and psychology from Hope College and a master's in clinical social work from Western Michigan University.

Her eight years of clinical experience inform a warm, supportive style aimed at helping clients move toward the life and relationships they want.

Online approaches that focus on skills and emotional connection



Sara often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients recognize and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns and develop concrete coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and stress. She also incorporates Client-Centered Therapy, offering a supportive, nonjudgmental stance that prioritizes the person’s experience and goals while building trust and self-understanding. When helpful, she draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for intense emotions and relationship difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with clients to identify goals, preferences, and practical needs, then tailors a blend of strategies so the work feels useful and manageable. That collaborative matching helps ensure therapy aligns with each person’s pace and priorities.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to fit consistent therapeutic work into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and use different communication styles for skill practice, check-ins, or deeper dialogue.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
She works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, grief, depression, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting, trauma and many other challenges.
What therapeutic style does she use in sessions?
Her style is warm and genuine, emphasizing being seen and heard while using collaborative, practical methods. She blends client-centered support with evidence-informed techniques like CBT, DBT, EFT and mindfulness.
How much clinical experience does the clinician have?
She brings eight years of clinical experience from work in independent practice, health care, and hospice settings, which informs her support for a variety of mental health and medical-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds the credential LMSW with licence number MI LMSW 6801106679 and practices in Michigan.
Can someone who speaks another language work with her?
Sessions are conducted in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How does pricing and payment work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are accessed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process for beginning therapy?
To get started select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCommunication problemsFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English