Sarah Johnston Margarida

Sarah Johnston Margarida is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Maryland who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, career changes, addiction concerns, and other life transitions. She offers a calm, affirming presence so clients can talk through what matters most and find practical ways forward. Her style is collaborative and straightforward, aimed at making change feel possible in everyday life.

She uses client-centered methods to meet people where they are and build on their strengths. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness work, and motivational interviewing are woven into sessions to tackle unhelpful thoughts, manage difficult feelings, and strengthen motivation for change. Solution-focused techniques help set clear steps when clients want quick, concrete progress.

Over five years of practice, she has supported people with attachment concerns, blended family stress, body image and eating issues, caregiver strain, codependency, and communication problems. She also addresses divorce and separation, fertility-related stress, and recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The goal is to help clients gain skills that fit their daily routines.

Sessions focus on practical skills such as communication, boundaries, and coping strategies. Clients can expect a mix of talking, guided exercises, and goal-setting tailored to their needs. Sarah emphasizes small, achievable changes that add up over time.

People seeking help are guided to consider their goals and try approaches that fit their pace. She aims to create a respectful space for honest conversations and steady progress.

How her approaches work for online therapy

Sarah often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is useful for stress, anxiety, and patterns that keep problems going by accident.

She also brings Mindfulness Therapy into sessions, teaching simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and calm the mind. Mindfulness can be helpful for managing strong emotions and returning to focus during busy days.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. She works with each person to set goals and choose methods that match their preferences and needs. That means trying things, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together over time.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow brief check-ins on a workday or between appointments. Talk with her about what will fit your routine and comfort level so sessions support real-life changes.