Sarah Johnston Margarida

Sarah Johnston Margarida is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Maryland with five years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, career doubt, and major life changes. Sarah describes her focus as helping people navigate these concerns and build practical coping skills.

She uses a collaborative, client-centered style in sessions. That means conversations are guided by what matters to the person in front of her. Sessions often include goal-setting and concrete steps to manage symptoms and daily challenges.

Sarah draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques to help people notice unhelpful thinking and try new behavior. She also uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused ideas to support decision points, like changes at work or with relationships. These methods are used to troubleshoot problems and create short-term plans.

In practical terms sessions can involve talking through recent problems, trying grounding or breathing practices, and identifying small experiments to test different approaches. Communication skills and managing urges around substance use or eating concerns are addressed with direct strategies. She pays attention to attachment and blended family issues when they affect day-to-day functioning.

People who come to Sarah are often looking for help after a change - a breakup, a job shift, or a loss. Her practice emphasizes clear steps, steady check-ins, and adapting methods to the person’s priorities. Sessions are conducted in English and are based in Maryland.

How her approaches translate to online sessions

Client-Centered Therapy is about following the client's priorities and adapting sessions to what feels most useful. That can look like open conversation, focused problem-solving, or checking progress on goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors; it helps with anxiety, stress, addictive behaviors, and mood challenges. Mindfulness Therapy teaches attention and grounding practices to reduce reactivity and improve moment-to-moment coping.

Choosing an approach is collaborative. Sarah works with each person to decide which methods to try based on their goals, needs, and preferences. She reviews what is working and adjusts the plan over time so sessions stay practical and relevant.

The therapist's biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find remote sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten commute time, and allow quick check-ins during a work break. Phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed, and video can support face-to-face conversation when that matters. Reach out through the initial questionnaire to learn which formats are available and what will best match your routine.