Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus, LPC, LMHC
Therapist in West Virginia
Dr.
- License 1315, 17211, MH27718 · West Virginia, California, Florida Expires June 2027, August 2026, March 2027
- NPI 1528746823 · national registry
- Experience and languages 26+ years in practice English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.
About Sara
Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus is a licensed professional counselor who brings 26 years of experience to sessions. She offers steady, nonjudgmental support for people feeling stuck by stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, or career doubts.
Her approach is practical and conversational so clients can take real steps forward. She helps people notice unhelpful patterns and test new ways of coping. That might mean learning tools for anxiety, working through painful feelings like guilt or shame, or improving communication skills.
Background and approach
She also supports those facing caregiving strain, chronic illness, body image concerns, or major life transitions such as divorce or aging challenges. Dr. Lewis-Stankus blends talk therapy with skills work.
She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to shift thoughts and behaviors, Client-Centered Therapy to follow the client's priorities, and techniques from EMDR and Dialectical Behavior Therapy when appropriate. The Gottman Method is part of her approach for relationship-focused work. Sessions aim to be collaborative and goal-driven, with clear steps between meetings.
Clients leave with practical strategies for emotion regulation, impulse control, and healthier habits. The tone in sessions is respectful, straightforward, and focused on progress. She provides services from West Virginia and works in English.
International clients may also connect. People can expect options for video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
Credentials
- LPC (West Virginia)
- License 1315 · expires June 2027
- LPCC (California)
- License 17211 · expires August 2026
- LMHC (Florida)
- License MH27718 · expires March 2027
- NPI
- 1528746823 · national provider identifier
Both are public records. A state board register will confirm a license and its standing, and the national registry will confirm an NPI. This directory copies what the therapist lists and checks neither.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Sara lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Sara names
- Gottman Method
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness Therapy
These are the approaches Sara names on their own professional profile. Naming an approach is not evidence of training or certification in it, and this directory checks no training records. Ask directly if it matters to you.
Online support
Online approaches that meet you where you are
Dr. Lewis-Stankus uses the Gottman Method to focus on communication and interaction patterns in relationships, helping people learn practical skills to reduce conflict and build connection. Client-Centered Therapy is part of her work as well - it centers the client's goals and preferences and creates space for their concerns to guide each session. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about their needs and try methods that fit their goals and comfort level. Together they will adjust techniques over time so sessions feel relevant and useful.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when deeper interaction helps. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a camera is not ideal. Live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, ongoing coaching, or quick skill practice between appointments. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, caregiving, or travel.
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Frequently asked
What kinds of concerns can I bring to therapy?
Dr. Lewis-Stankus addresses stress, anxiety, self-esteem, career questions, relationship issues, and coaching needs. She also works with concerns like abandonment, caregiver stress, chronic pain or illness, body image, and isolation.
How would you describe the therapy style?
Therapy is collaborative and down-to-earth. Sessions mix conversation with practical exercises from approaches like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and the Gottman Method when relevant.
How long has this therapist practiced?
She has 26 years of professional work experience helping people navigate personal change and emotional challenges.
Where is the therapist located and what are her credentials?
She practices from West Virginia and holds the credentials LPC and LMHC with licensure noted as WV LPC and FL LMHC.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Yes, international clients are accepted and may connect for online sessions in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions based on the therapist's availability.
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