Sarah Turnpaugh

Compassionate, skills-based therapy for life challenges

LCSW Virginia

Experience: 5 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Sarah

Sarah Turnpaugh offers practical, evidence-informed care rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy while also integrating client-centered and solution-focused techniques. She emphasizes helping people develop skills to manage stress, anxiety, grief, and everyday challenges, pairing structured strategies with compassionate listening.

Background and approach

Her approach aims to foster greater balance, motivation, and confidence through collaborative goal-setting and tailored interventions. With five years of clinical experience as an LCSW licensed in Virginia (VA LCSW 0904014108), she has supported clients facing trauma and abuse, self-esteem and depression, relationship and family difficulties, parenting concerns, anger, and career-related stress.

Her work also encompasses complex issues such as chronic illness and pain, caregiver stress, attachment and abandonment concerns, body image, and coping with life changes. Sarah brings practical tools alongside an empathetic presence to help clients navigate difficult transitions and build coping skills.

She welcomes individuals who are ready to engage in a collaborative process and values meeting each person where they are. Prospective clients can expect a respectful, nonjudgmental space aimed at identifying achievable steps forward and strengthening resilience over time.

How therapeutic approaches shape online care

Sarah uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering concrete strategies for managing symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress. She also employs client-centered therapy, which focuses on empathetic listening and creating an accepting space so clients can explore feelings and make their own choices about change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Sarah collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their goals and preferences. She welcomes open conversation about what feels most helpful and adjusts techniques over time to better support individual needs.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different lifestyles and schedules. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care across busy weeks, to access support from home, and to choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working toward concrete goals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, depression, relationship and family problems, parenting, anger, career stress, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

Her work is CBT-informed and blends client-centered, solution-focused, narrative, and motivational interviewing techniques to combine structured skill-building with empathetic listening.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has five years of clinical experience providing psychotherapy and supportive interventions to people facing a variety of life challenges.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Virginia license listed as VA LCSW 0904014108 and practices in Virginia.

Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?

She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for appointments?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or through text-based messaging depending on client preference and availability.

How are fees and payment handled?

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

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule an appointment based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / lonelinessJealousyVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

Virginia

Languages

English