Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus, LPC, LMHC

Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus welcomes people who feel stuck by anxiety, stress, relationship trouble, or low self-esteem. She writes plainly and listens closely, helping clients notice patterns that get in the way and take small steps toward change. With 26 years of experience, she aims to make therapy practical and down to earth. Her approach centers on working together to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with client-centered and mindfulness-based ideas, to help people test new ways of thinking and behaving. Sessions focus on clear, doable tools rather than abstract theory. She often helps clients tackle issues around relationships, work stress, body image, and feelings of isolation or grief. She also addresses concerns tied to aging, caregiving, chronic illness, and recovery from painful experiences. conversations move at a steady pace and are tailored to each person’s priorities. Dr. Lewis-Stankus holds LPC and LMHC credentials and has practiced for more than two decades. She offers a calm, nonjudgmental presence and encourages practical homework between meetings to reinforce progress. Many clients appreciate how she breaks problems into manageable parts. She supports goal setting, skill building, and gentle accountability. The focus is on realistic change that fits everyday life. Therapy conversations can include skill practice, role plays, and emotion regulation strategies. The work is collaborative: she helps people clarify what matters most and then maps out steps to get there. To begin, she asks clients to describe their top concerns and goals so sessions match what they need right now.

CBT, Client-Focused Care, and Online Options

Dr. Lewis-Stankus commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and practice concrete behavior changes. CBT breaks problems into steps so clients can test new responses and measure progress over time.

She also works from a client-centered perspective, which means sessions emphasize listening, empathy, and the client’s own goals. That approach helps people feel heard and guides the pace and focus of treatment. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are also used when people need practical emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and communication tools.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options, try techniques, and adjust based on what works for the person’s goals and preferences. Clients and therapist plan together so the work stays relevant and manageable.

Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video lets people use visual cues for teaching and role play, while phone sessions can be a simpler option with less bandwidth. Live chat or messaging suits shorter check-ins, brief coaching, or those who prefer writing. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and continue steady progress from different locations.