Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus

Insight-driven care for anxiety and growth

LPC, LMHC West Virginia

Experience: 26 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Sara

Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus is a licensed counselor with 26 years of clinical experience who helps people reduce anxiety, manage stress, and build stronger relationships.

Background and approach

She emphasizes practical growth and supports clients who are struggling with self-esteem, career transitions, relationship concerns, and a wide range of related issues such as abandonment, attachment challenges, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and isolation. Her work centers on identifying unhelpful patterns and developing actionable strategies to move past fears, doubts, and recurring emotional blocks.

Dr. Lewis-Stankus uses compassionate listening and evidence-informed methods to help clients explore limiting beliefs, repair or let go of difficult relationships, and increase confidence and motivation.

She integrates therapeutic tools to address communication problems, control issues, guilt and shame, and the emotional aftermath of separation or loss. Clients can expect a collaborative, nonjudgmental environment where personal goals guide each step of treatment.

Licensed as an LPC and LMHC, she offers long-term support and practical coaching-style interventions to promote meaningful change and improved day-to-day functioning.

How evidence-informed approaches translate to online care

Dr. Lewis-Stankus uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, stress, and low self-worth; this approach is practical and goal-focused, commonly used for mood and anxiety-related concerns. She also incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, which emphasize emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness useful for managing intense emotions and improving communication. Additionally, client-centered principles guide her work by prioritizing empathy, collaboration, and a supportive therapeutic relationship that helps clients explore values and goals.

Choosing the right method is part of the therapeutic process, and she works together with each person to determine which approaches align with their needs, preferences, and treatment goals. That collaborative process can involve trying different techniques and adapting strategies over time to find the best fit.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging provides flexibility for scheduling around work, caregiving, or health limitations and makes it easier for international clients to access professional support. These formats allow ongoing skill-building, coaching, and therapy work to continue consistently regardless of location or busy days.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, career questions, and coaching needs, along with areas like abandonment, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and isolation.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is collaborative and nonjudgmental, blending client-centered listening with practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns and reach personal goals.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 26 years of professional experience working with adults on personal growth, relationship concerns, and stress-related challenges.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds LPC and LMHC credentials and is based in West Virginia with license details WV LPC 1315 and FL LMHC MH27718.

Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English or with clients abroad?

She conducts sessions in English and does accept international clients.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How are fees handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Post-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodMindfulness Therapy

Experience

26+ years

Licensed

West Virginia, California, Florida

Languages

English