Sarah Axley

Sarah Axley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps people facing stress, anger, anxiety, grief, and changes that feel overwhelming. She speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps people can use between sessions. Sarah encourages anyone who is worried to notice the step they’ve already taken by looking for help. Sarah has worked in mental health since 2009 and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also completed a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Aging Studies through VCU’s Department of Gerontology. Her clinical background includes outpatient therapy, intensive community-based care, and hospital work, where she is employed full time. Over the years she has supported people with depression, bipolar conditions, anxiety, trauma, substance use concerns, and autism spectrum differences. She is LGBTQ+ informed and has experience helping people cope with grief and the stressors of current social conditions, including challenges that emerged during the COVID period. Her style is collaborative and strengths-based. Sessions focus on building skills, changing unhelpful thinking patterns, improving communication, and increasing coping strategies. Between appointments clients often work on short tasks or exercises to practice new skills and track progress. Sarah blends several practical approaches such as cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. She aims to match methods to each person’s needs and preferences so goals feel realistic and achievable. Her practice is based in Virginia and she brings 15 years of clinical experience to each client interaction.

How Sarah’s approaches work for online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on hearing your experience and shaping sessions around your goals and pace. It helps when someone wants a respectful, collaborative space to make sense of feelings and decide next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and teaches clear strategies to reduce symptoms like anxiety or anger. It often uses short exercises and homework to practice new ways of responding.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that can lower reactivity and help with stress and sleep problems. These techniques are brief and easy to use between sessions.

Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. Sarah will talk with clients about their goals, try methods that fit, and adjust as needed so the plan stays useful and realistic.

Confirm available session formats before booking, as specific options are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for different kinds of check-ins or exercises between meetings. It also supports using worksheets, short skill practices, and regular progress check-ins to keep momentum toward your goals.