Sara Sutherland , LMSW

Sara Sutherland is a Michigan-licensed clinical social worker (LMSW) with a background in social work and psychology. She completed undergraduate studies at Hope College and earned a master’s degree from Western Michigan University, where she concentrated on clinical social work skills. Her training and practice experience span private practice, health care settings, and hospice care, shaping a versatile approach to support people through a wide range of challenges.

Sutherland works with individuals facing anxiety, depression, chronic and terminal health issues, life transitions, grief and loss, personality disorders, and related concerns. She brings experience addressing stress, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related matters, parenting difficulties, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, along with additional focus areas such as aging and geriatric concerns, caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, and feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Her primary aim is to help people feel seen and heard while offering support, counseling, and practical tools to foster growth and change. Genuineness and sincere support are central to her practice, and she emphasizes collaboration and respect as people work toward becoming who they are meant to be. She appreciates that exploring therapy is a meaningful first step for anyone considering care.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Sara Sutherland integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based ideas to support people online. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathetic space where the person’s perspective guides the work and personal strengths are emphasized to promote growth. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical strategies, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance techniques that can reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation, especially for chronic stress and grief.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative stance helps tailor sessions so they feel useful and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how people connect - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit care into a busy life or manage mobility and health limitations. These options allow licensed professionals to provide consistent, ongoing support while accommodating different communication styles and schedules.