Sara Scott

Sara Scott is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Missouri with over two decades of clinical experience. She aims to help people move past stuck patterns and get closer to the life they want. She speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps that feel manageable for each person.

Sara uses tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral methods, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness. She meets people where they are and helps them notice what matters most. That can include stress, anxiety, anger, grief, relationship problems, or challenges with substance use.

Her background includes work in nonprofits, hospitals, prisons, and schools. She has counseled individuals and couples and has led therapy groups. Sara earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 1998 and a Master of Social Work in 2001, and she holds a Missouri LCSW.

In sessions she focuses on what will make a difference day to day. That might mean learning skills to manage strong emotions, changing unhelpful thinking patterns, or practicing mindfulness to reduce reactivity. She also supports people facing identity questions, parenting strain, chronic illness, or major life changes.

Sara describes her approach as authentic and compassionate. She aims to create an individualized plan and to coach clients toward clear, realistic goals. To begin, she asks people to share what they hope will be different and then helps set small, achievable steps.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. It often uses concrete exercises to shift how someone responds to difficult thoughts and feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking and learning new behaviors that reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It is practical and goal oriented, with homework between sessions. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm; these exercises can be practiced during and between sessions.

Finding the best approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has helped or not helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan based on how things go. That collaborative process helps tailor care to each person’s needs.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking. Many people value online work for fitting sessions into a busy life, shortening travel time, and making it easier to attend regular appointments around work or caregiving. Online sessions can also make practicing skills between meetings simpler. Check the available options when you sign up so you know what will work best for your routine.