Sarah Spurling

Compassionate, practical care for anxious and grieving adults

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 3 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Sarah

Sarah Spurling is a licensed clinical social worker who supports adults facing persistent stress, anxiety, grief, and the effects of trauma and abuse. She welcomes clients who feel emotionally stuck or exhausted and helps them regain steadier footing by focusing on practical coping strategies and clearer self-understanding.

Background and approach

Her work often centers on concerns with self-esteem and LGBT-related issues, and she also addresses related areas such as attachment, abandonment, and challenges tied to chronic illness or caregiving. Therapeutic relationships with Sarah are rooted in a warm, relational style that prioritizes being genuinely seen rather than fixed.

She aims to create a space where people can arrive as they are, explore patterns without pressure, and develop tools that fit everyday life. Clinically she draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered methods, and existential perspectives to tailor work to each person’s needs.

With three years of clinical experience and an Illinois LCSW license, Sarah combines empathic listening with practical interventions to help clients feel more grounded, connected, and able to move forward at a comfortable pace.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through concrete exercises and practice; it is often helpful for anxiety, stress, and self-esteem challenges. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and taking meaningful action, which can assist with grief, avoidance, and persistent worry. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens and reflects to help clients explore their own goals and build self-understanding.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work together with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then blend methods like CBT, ACT, or client-centered techniques to form a plan that feels practical and respectful of the client’s pace and priorities.

Online sessions through video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into busy routines and to access support from home or other comfortable settings. These formats provide flexible scheduling options and let clients continue therapeutic work between sessions through written check-ins or brief messages, supporting steady progress even when life gets complicated.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

Sara Spurling works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem issues, and LGBT concerns, along with related areas such as attachment, abandonment, chronic pain or illness, and body image.

What is the therapist's general approach or style?

She uses a relational, supportive style that emphasizes feeling understood and building practical coping skills rather than pressuring quick change. Techniques draw from CBT, ACT, DBT, client-centered, and existential approaches.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has three years of professional experience working with adults on issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She holds an LCSW credential with the Illinois license number IL LCSW 149030436 and practices in Illinois.

Which languages are available for sessions and can she see international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are offered for online work?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How does pricing and payment work for sessions?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuse Grief Self esteem

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImmigration issuesLife purposeMidlife crisisMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobias Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)SexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English