Sara Lopes, LMHC

Sara Lopes is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who blends formal training with extensive hands-on work supporting people facing homelessness, serious mental health challenges, and substance use issues. She earned a master’s degree before becoming an LMHC, a credential that authorizes practice in mental health counseling. Her background also includes social work for low-income individuals navigating complex barriers such as housing instability and related stressors.

Sara’s therapeutic stance emphasizes moving at each person’s own pace and taking time to understand who a client is, so treatment can be tailored to their needs. She draws on a range of therapeutic tools, including Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, selecting techniques that fit the individual or couple she’s working with. This flexible approach supports clients in making meaningful changes while honoring their values and readiness.

Her aim is to help clients experience relief and forward movement sooner rather than later, while building confidence in both themselves and the therapeutic process. Clients can expect to be treated with respect, care, and compassion, and to have a supportive partner in their efforts to grow and heal. Sara’s online office hours are Monday through Saturday, with Sunday reserved as a personal day; messages received after Saturday evening are answered on Monday. For the foreseeable future, new clients are accepted via messaging and live chat only and not by phone or video.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Sara Lopes

Sara Lopes integrates several practical therapy approaches into her online work to meet diverse needs. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s goals guide the work - it is useful for people seeking a collaborative, respectful space to explore change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors through structured techniques, often benefiting those coping with anxiety, depression, or stress. Motivational Interviewing is a goal-oriented, empathetic method designed to strengthen a person’s own motivation for change, and it can be particularly helpful for challenges like substance use or ambivalence about change.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sara works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative exploration helps tailor sessions so they feel relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to access licensed professionals from different locations. These options support continuity of care and allow clients to choose the format that feels most comfortable and convenient for them.