Sara Nielsen, LCMHC, LCPC - Therapist in Alabama

Sleep and rest
Stress and anxiety
Mindfulness tools

About Sara

Sara Nielsen is a licensed counselor practicing in Alabama with 19 years of experience. She holds LCMHC and LCPC credentials and focuses on helping people manage stress, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Sara approaches each person with a nonjudgmental, collaborative style and aims to create a calm, welcoming space for difficult conversations.

Sara uses a mix of practical tools from cognitive behavioral work and acceptance-based strategies. She also draws on mindfulness skills and dialectical behavior ideas to help people notice patterns and respond differently. Sessions are guided by what the person needs and wants to try, with options adjusted over time.

Her way of working is interactive and centered on the person in front of her. She helps people set specific goals and practices to try between sessions. The focus is often on small, doable steps such as changing sleep routines, testing new coping skills, or shifting unhelpful thoughts.

Sara has worked with a wide range of concerns, including trauma and abuse, eating and food-related issues, grief, relationship and intimacy matters, and substance use. She also supports people dealing with ADHD-related challenges, compassion fatigue, and body image struggles.

People who reach out can expect straightforward talk and concrete strategies. Sara emphasizes collaboration and clear next steps so progress feels manageable. To begin, readers are asked to follow the standard site start process to match with her and schedule a first session.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice their thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is often useful for anxiety, stress, and life transition work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors; it is commonly used for sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve moment-to-moment regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Sara collaborates with each person to decide which methods to try based on their goals and comfort. Together they review what helps and adjust the plan over time, mixing techniques as needed rather than sticking to a single method.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins during lunch breaks or between errands. Some people prefer brief, focused sessions for skill practice while others use full sessions for deeper processing; these practical choices are discussed and agreed on at intake so scheduling fits daily routines.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseEating disordersDepression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Body imageCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

19+ years

Credentials

Missouri, Kansas, New Hampshire, Alabama

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

Sara works with many issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, eating and food-related concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, and sleeping problems.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is collaborative and interactive. Sessions focus on practical steps, skills practice, and tailoring approaches to each person.

What kind of experience does she bring?

She has 19 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and therapeutic approaches.

Which credentials and state licensure does she hold?

She holds LCMHC and LCPC credentials and practices in Alabama as noted by her listing.

In what languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

Are international clients supported?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What is the first step to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.