Profile / United States
Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus, LPC, LMHC
West Virginia
LPC LMHC - Stress and Relationship concerns
See online therapy options- CBT and DBT methods
- EMDR as needed
- Gottman informed work
About Sara
Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in West Virginia. She has 26 years of experience helping people address stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, career questions, and coaching goals. She works with adults on problems like guilt, shame, isolation, and communication breakdowns.
She uses clear, practical methods to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits. Sessions focus on noticing patterns that keep problems going and trying alternative responses. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her approach alongside client-centered methods, DBT skills, EMDR, and Gottman ideas when relevant.
In a typical meeting she will listen, reflect what she hears, and offer specific strategies to test between sessions. That might include short exercises, thought records, or communication skills to practice in daily life. The aim is concrete change rather than abstract talk.
She has worked with issues tied to aging and caregiving, chronic pain and illness, abandonment and attachment concerns, and major life changes such as divorce and separation. She also supports work-related stress, impulsivity, jealousy, and body image problems.
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted. The service uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, and fees vary by location. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr. Lewis-Stankus combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered methods in a practical way. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavioral changes, useful for anxiety, stress, and self-esteem. Client-centered work emphasizes listening and reflecting so people can clarify goals and decide what to try next.She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills when emotional regulation and coping strategies are needed. DBT skills teach concrete tools for handling strong emotions, improving distress tolerance, and sharpening interpersonal effectiveness.
Choosing the best approach is collaborative. She reviews goals and preferences with each person and adjusts methods as progress is reviewed. That discussion helps determine whether CBT exercises, DBT skills training, or other techniques are the right fit for a given concern.
Practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy around work or caregiving, reducing travel time, and using shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. The original biography did not list specific online formats, so please confirm current session options before booking. The focus is making sessions work with everyday life while testing small, concrete changes between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
West Virginia, California, Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, career questions, and coaching goals, plus issues like guilt, shame, and isolation.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits, then test different responses with short exercises and thought records between sessions.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She holds LPC and LMHC credentials and has 26 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of emotional and life concerns.
Where is she based and licensed?
She practices in West Virginia and holds a West Virginia LPC and a Florida LMHC as listed in her credentials.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography did not specify session formats; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Fees vary by location and services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.