Sarah Spurling

Sarah Spurling is an Illinois LCSW with three years of clinical experience working with adults. She sees people who are feeling stuck, exhausted, or uncertain after a change, and those living with anxiety, grief, trauma, or questions about identity and diagnosis. She also works with autistic adults and people exploring a later-in-life diagnosis. Sarah uses a relational approach that centers clear connection and steady pacing. She focuses on practical coping tools that fit daily life, not quick fixes. Sessions emphasize understanding patterns, reducing overwhelm, and building steadier routines. She describes therapy as a collaborative process rather than a one-size-fits-all program. Clients are invited to bring their real concerns, including trouble with motivation, racing thoughts, or difficulty feeling present. The work is paced to match readiness for change. Sarah offers individual therapy and runs autism support groups. In both settings she helps people map how past relationships and attachment patterns influence current struggles. That can include addressing abandonment, family of origin issues, or dissociation in manageable steps. Her toolbox pulls from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Expect focused skill practice alongside conversations about life direction and values. If you want to begin, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. That first meeting is used to clarify concerns, set goals, and decide on practical next steps.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small actions that align with them. It can help when someone feels directionless or stuck and wants to make intentional changes despite difficult thoughts or feelings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors link together. It uses straightforward techniques to test unhelpful thinking and build new habits, which can reduce anxiety and improve day-to-day functioning.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. These skills are useful for people coping with intense emotions, relationship difficulty, or self-critical thoughts.

Figuring out which approach fits best is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences. That may mean mixing elements from different approaches or adjusting pace over time.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists help clients choose a format that fits practical needs like quiet time, bandwidth, or a brief workday break.