Dr. Sara Michelson
Psychologist
Welcome!
I am Dr. Sara Michelson, a licensed psychologist with more than 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy and psychological evaluations. I specialize in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and insomnia.
My therapeutic style is warm, direct, collaborative, and evidence-based. I take a trauma-informed approach, which means we may explore how adverse or traumatic experiences—as well as your broader life circumstances—have shaped your current symptoms, relationships, and patterns of coping. My goal is to understand these experiences in the context of your whole life, without allowing them to define you.
I strive to provide a compassionate and supportive environment where you can feel understood while also working toward meaningful change. Together, we will identify patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, develop greater insight into what may be keeping you stuck, and build practical strategies that support your goals and long-term well-being.
For insomnia and chronic sleep difficulties, I provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). I have also completed specialized training in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma-related symptoms. In treating anxiety, I draw from cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and supportive approaches, tailoring treatment to each person’s needs and goals.
Licensed Psychologist
North Carolina
New York
PSYPACT
Therapy Specializations
How Therapy Works
Our work together begins with an initial consultation, during which we will discuss your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy.
I offer individual psychotherapy sessions that last fifty-five minutes and are typically held on a weekly basis.
Working With Me
Sessions are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant platform, which can be accessed using a phone, tablet, or computer.
Do you offer a free brief phone consultation?
I have found that in order to meaningfully address initial questions, it is important for me to have a more thorough understanding of your history, which typically requires more than a 10–15 minute phone call. It is also difficult to convey my therapeutic approach to your specific concerns in such a brief conversation. In practice, these conversations often extend to 30 minutes or more without providing sufficient depth. A 55-minute intake appointment allows for a more thorough discussion and gives both of us a clearer sense of whether working together would be a good fit.
What Is Your Theoretical Orientation?
I use an integrative approach that is tailored to each individual’s needs. My primary framework is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and I draw from other therapeutic orientations as appropriate based on the presenting concerns. CBT is often highly effective in reducing symptoms and improving overall functioning. This approach typically includes work outside of sessions, which helps support progress and allows therapy to move forward in a more focused and effective way.