Sarah Allen

My name is Sarah Allen. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH21026) in Florida and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). I offer individual, family, and marital counseling. When working with clients, I hope that you will build resilience through the therapeutic process, develop positive coping skills, identify and change maladaptive thought patterns, and gain insight into yourself. I strive to provide a nonjudgmental, supportive, and calm environment to safely express and analyze your feelings. My approach to counseling is collaborative and eclectic, as I tailor sessions to each client. Our work may include lifestyle changes and therapeutic exercises for you to do between sessions to facilitate self-growth. Life can present us with genuinely challenging seasons. My goal is to help clients to recognize, and capitalize on their support and resources, all while building on their strengths and managing their level of stress. In sessions, we will discuss the steps you would like to take by developing an individualized treatment plan. I aim to help you recognize and take steps towards achieving your goals. In your counseling, I may utilize solution-focused therapy, expressive therapy, as well as evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness during your sessions. By identifying the challenges you are experiencing in life, you will learn how to deal with these identified challenges in healthier ways and proceed forward on the path you desire. Previously, I have worked in community-based mental health, providing services to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises in central Virginia. My clinical experience includes: providing counseling to clients experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, conduct disorders, terminal illness, marital and relationship, family therapy, substance use and abuse, and trauma and stressor-related behaviors. I also have experience working with clients that are struggling with chronic health issues. During these sessions, support is provided to the clients and their caregivers. I am a Certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator for marital and premarital counseling and conflict de-escalation. Prepare/Enrich is an evidence-based assessment that measures relationship satisfaction. The program can be used to support premarital counseling, as a check-in for married couples, to assess parenting styles, and to assess a couple’s fit for adoption, or pre-foster care. Prepare/Enrich is an effective tool to utilize to improve the overall satisfaction of a couple’s relationship. In the Prepare/Enrich process, couples take an assessment and then work with a Facilitator in a semi-structured feedback process. During this process, the facilitator will work with the couple to build communication and conflict resolution skills