Sara Dabney
Compassionate, skill-based therapy for life challenges
LCSW Florida
- Experience
- 5 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Sara
Sara Dabney is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Florida who blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness and client-centered techniques to address a wide range of concerns.
Background and approach
She draws on five years of clinical experience and a graduate education in social work from the University of South Florida, where she pursued work related to child maltreatment and took part in research exploring HIV and PTSD symptomatology.
Her background also includes training in massage therapy and yoga instruction, which inform a holistic view of coping and self-care. In her practice she works with individuals navigating stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction, body image and eating-related concerns, and challenges tied to parenting, caregiving, chronic illness, and major life transitions.
Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care, autism and Asperger syndrome, BDSM and kink communities, cancer-related stress, dissociation, and communication difficulties. She welcomes people of varied faiths, genders and sexual orientations and aims to create an accepting space for exploration.
Sara emphasizes practical skills alongside reflective work, using techniques from CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness to help clients build coping strategies and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. Her approach centers on collaboration and measurable steps toward clearer goals.
Approaches that translate well to online therapy
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured exercises and practical skills, making it useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday challenges. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and clarifying personal values to guide action, which can help with avoidance, low motivation, and life transitions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and supporting the client's own pace and goals, creating space for exploration and emotional processing.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to consider their goals, preferences, and the nature of their concerns and may draw from CBT, ACT, mindfulness practices, or client-centered techniques to tailor the work. This shared decision-making helps clients try strategies and adjust the plan as progress is evaluated.
Online sessions offer practical benefits for many people, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats provide flexibility for attending sessions from home, while still allowing for guided skill practice, reflective conversation, and regular check-ins that support ongoing progress.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does this therapist address?
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
What is Sara Dabney's professional background?
Where is the therapist licensed and practicing?
Can people who speak other languages work with this clinician?
What session formats are available for online work?
How are fees and payment handled?
What steps are involved in getting started?
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Licensed
Florida
Languages
English