Dr. Sarah Willey

Practical, compassionate CBT-informed care

MO Psychologist 2019045861 Missouri

Experience: 3 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Sarah

Dr. Sarah Willey brings a cognitive-behavioral orientation to her work as a licensed psychologist in Missouri, blending practical skill-building with a compassionate, person-focused stance.

Background and approach

She earned her PsyD at Wheaton College in 2018 and has three years of professional experience across college counseling, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and recent work with the VA.

Her practice addresses a range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, coping with life changes, grief, relationship and family challenges, bipolar mood concerns, and workplace or career-related issues. Sarah emphasizes listening carefully to understand each person's story and tailors interventions to fit individual needs.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered techniques, Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, Motivational Interviewing, and solution-focused strategies to help clients clarify goals and develop practical coping tools. She values the therapeutic relationship and aims to support meaningful progress while respecting the significance of each person's experience.

Sessions are offered in multiple online formats for clients in Missouri, and she communicates in English. Her professional license is listed as MO Psychologist 2019045861.

Integrating evidence-based approaches with online care

Dr. Willey commonly draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to guide online work. CBT focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and mood-related concerns. ACT emphasizes acceptance, values clarification, and committed action to help clients live in ways that reflect what matters most to them.

Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist partners with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and adapts techniques from these approaches so the plan feels practical and personally meaningful. This collaborative stance helps clients try strategies, reflect on what works, and refine the plan over time.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions take place, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These modalities can make it easier to fit care into work or life schedules and allow for continuity of treatment when in-person options are limited. The variety of formats also lets clients choose the way of working that best supports their engagement and progress.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

She works with a broad array of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, relationship and family problems, career matters, bipolar mood concerns, compassion fatigue, and related areas such as seasonal affective disorder and workplace issues.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

The therapist uses a compassionate, client-centered style and integrates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and solution-focused techniques to help clients set goals and build skills.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has three years of professional experience, including roles in college counseling, inpatient and outpatient settings, and recent work with the VA.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a licensed psychologist in Missouri with the credential listed as MO Psychologist 2019045861 and practices from Missouri.

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

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for working together?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and scheduling needs.

How are costs and payment structured?

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

What steps are involved in beginning therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Women's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

Missouri

Languages

English