Sarah Riggs

Sarah Riggs is a licensed clinical professional counselor with decades of experience helping people facing addiction and major life changes. She focuses on practical, respectful support and tailors conversations to each person's situation. Her approach aims to empower people who are ready to take steps toward a more manageable day-to-day life.

With 30 years of practice in Maryland, Sarah draws on long experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, and substance use concerns. She also addresses trauma and abuse, grief, anger, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and self-esteem challenges. She brings calm persistence to difficult conversations and helps people set clear, realistic goals.

Her work also involves veteran and armed forces issues, multicultural concerns, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety and phobia, and workplace problems. Sarah adapts plans so they match each person’s needs rather than offering a one-size-fits-all path. She listens first, then suggests steps that feel doable.

Sessions are shaped around what matters most to the client, whether that is reducing substance use, managing panic and stress, or coping with life changes. Sarah encourages practical skills and steady progress over time. She meets people where they are and helps them build routines that support better days.

Finding the right pace and approach is part of the work. Sarah aims to create a space where people can make changes at their own speed and feel supported while doing it.

Evidence-based approaches and online care

Sarah uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide sessions and help people build practical skills. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful patterns in thinking and behavior, then practicing new ways to respond; this can help with anxiety, mood problems, and many everyday stressors. Another approach emphasizes gradual skill-building for managing cravings, strong emotions, and difficult situations, which is useful when addressing addictions and workplace or relationship stress.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively with each person to weigh options, try techniques, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful. Clients and the therapist decide together which methods to prioritize as goals evolve.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, shorten commute time, or allow quicker check-in conversations during a work break. Talk with the therapist about which format will best match your needs, goals, and everyday schedule.