Sarah Johnston Margarida, LCSW

Sarah Johnston Margarida is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Maryland who supports people facing major life changes, emotional challenges, and the stress that comes with transitions. She creates a warm, affirming environment where individuals can examine their experiences, identify patterns that no longer serve them, and build practical strategies for healing and growth.

Her five years of clinical work include supporting people with stress, anxiety, grief, career concerns, and broader life adjustments. Sarah’s practice also addresses addictions, relationship and attachment difficulties, blended family concerns, body image and eating issues, caregiver stress, and challenges such as divorce, fertility-related strain, and forgiveness work. She combines attention to everyday coping needs with deeper work around trauma recovery, self-esteem, and communication problems.

Sarah’s therapeutic stance is collaborative and client-centered, blending evidence-based methods with a focus on each person’s strengths and goals. She uses approaches like cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies to tailor interventions to what a person needs in the moment. As an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - she emphasizes practical skill building alongside exploration of values and meaning so clients can move toward a more balanced and empowered life.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Sarah uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where a person’s own goals and values guide the work. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so individuals can explore what matters most and make choices that feel authentic.

She also integrates cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT - which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and learning practical skills to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and address patterns that contribute to depression or addiction. Mindfulness therapy is used alongside these methods to help people build present-moment awareness, reduce reactivity, and strengthen coping during difficult moments.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sarah works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts techniques over time so therapy remains relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to fit care into busy lives and to access licensed professionals from different locations. These formats support flexibility in scheduling, consistency in follow-up, and multiple ways to communicate so therapy can meet each person where they are.