Sarah Johnston Margarida

Sarah Johnston Margarida offers direct, practical support for people facing big life changes and day-to-day stress. She helps clients who are dealing with anxiety, grief, addiction concerns, career uncertainty, and the ordinary pressures of coping with change. Sarah writes plainly and listens closely to what matters most to each person.

Sarah is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, practicing in Maryland with five years of experience. She uses a collaborative, client-centered style that focuses on the client's goals and strengths. Sessions aim to clarify next steps, reduce overwhelm, and build skills that fit into a person's daily life.

Her toolbox includes cognitive behavioral techniques to spot and change unhelpful thinking, mindfulness practices to manage strong emotions, and motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. She also uses solution-focused strategies to create practical plans and small experiments that move people forward.

Sarah often addresses issues that show up around relationships and identity, such as attachment concerns, communication problems, codependency, and blended family stress. She also works with body image, caregiver stress, fertility-related stress, and recovery from drug and alcohol problems.

Sessions are paced to each client's needs. Sarah emphasizes clear steps, supportive feedback, and repeatable skills so clients leave with tools they can use between appointments. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Choosing approaches that fit your goals online

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding what matters most to the client. The therapist follows the client’s lead and helps identify personal goals and strengths that support change.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people notice patterns of thinking that keep problems going and then practices new ways of thinking and behaving. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and situations where clearer problem-solving helps.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels workable, then try techniques that match those needs. This is a collaborative process and may shift over time as progress is made.

Because session formats are not specified here, confirm the available online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists can guide mindfulness exercises, teach CBT skills, and use motivational interviewing over an online setup so practical work continues between meetings.