*Ethics Note:
It is very important to me that I provide the most ethical treatment as possible. I refer to the National Association of Social Worker's Code of Ethics and the law to guide my practice. Here are some things you should know up front, for complete transparency:
1. You must be a resident of and located in either North Carolina or Virginia for me to hold a session with you as I am licensed in those states. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this. Unfortunately, this is a regulation between the various states and is not my personal choice.
Also:
As recommended by the NC Social Work Board and several major insurance carriers, it is my professional policy to do our initial session via video platform. Once we develop the therapeutic relationship, you can choose to use the telephone or chat options. Again, if you have any concerns, questions or wish for additional information, please feel free to contact me and I will be delighted to discuss this with you.
AND NOW....please read on to learn a little about ME & My Practice!
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina with a PhD in counseling and a year of completed medical school training. I have practiced social work over the course of 20 years as a community advocate, professor, psychotherapist, teacher, researcher, the assistant director of a behavioral health department in a rapidly growing CMO in North Carolina and have worked with government officials in countries throughout Africa, regions of India, and Central America as well as almost every contiguous US state.
My therapeutic approach is based in an integration of client-centered methods and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and all of its offshoots such as DBT (certified) ACT etc. When appropriate, I also use solution focused and internal family systems methods as well. I am certified in grief counseling, mindfulness, and trauma informed CBT. I believe that everyone brings a unique skill to the table; none more or less important and none requiring judgment. You get to be the absolute expert in your life (Just one of many expert skills you bring) and I, get to bring my knowledge and experiences to support and provide you different ways to possibly think and/or approach the challenges that you encounter in your life. No magic potions, "spells" or special secrets required. I believe in complete transparency so ask me what you wish about your sessions and I will respond as honestly and clearly as I can possibly be. My primary goal is to create a safe and accepting space where you can take off all of the masks and relax in your authentic self with absolutely no judgment.
I pride myself on being highly approachable to all. In my world, every human is equally wonderful regardless of title, financial income, and how big their house is or is not etc. I tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs and preferences because in my world, you are way more than a number and I am way more than an assembly line worker. Previous clients have been amazed that I remember every thing that is told to me in sessions and usually can actually remind you about something you said in a particular session off the top of my head. How do I do this? I genuinely care about your therapeutic progress. Right now, you are going to just have to trust me on this, I recognize that.
I am always so honored when people consider me as their therapist out of all of the talented professionals available to them. I want you to know that taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes a lot of courage. I am here to reach my hand out to you, to support you in making your therapy journey a positive and fulfilling experience that eventually leaves you with your desired, best life worth living! Be well and create your joy!
Additional areas of focus: Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Blended family issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Drug and alcohol addiction, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Fertility issues, Forgiveness, Hoarding, Immigration issues, Infidelity, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-love, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NC LCSW C006409
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Sarah Kirlik. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I love Dr. Sarah's confidence when sharing her professional opinion and perspective. Her confidence helps me lean into the edges of unknown possibilities. She uses great metaphors to help me wrap my mind around complex ideas. Since I started working with Dr. Sarah I notice my capacity to process through antiquated material (baggage) more quickly that with my previous therapist or in my journal alone.
Infinite blessings to you, Dr. Sarah!
Written on Nov 19, 2024 after therapy with Sarah for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, grief, coping with life changes, and adhd
Dr. Kirlik has been an amazing therapist. She is great at guiding discovery and uncovering root causes of issues. She is direct and very knowledgeable. In four sessions she has managed to guide me and get me to answer some hard truths and some serious self actualization, it’s been amazing and I would recommend her to anyone who needs a strong guiding hand through their therapy journey
Written on Oct 29, 2024 after therapy with Sarah for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, and adhd
I‘m sorry she’s leaving Better Help. She exemplifies what an excellent therapist should be.
Written on Sep 25, 2024 after therapy with Sarah for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
She’s a great listener and advice giver
Written on Aug 08, 2024 after therapy with Sarah for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Dr. K has been very supportive, and straightforward. Our conversations have inspired me to ask questions and want to work on the answers.
Written on Apr 25, 2024 after therapy with Sarah for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Dr Kirlik is nothing short of amazing. I went through so many therapists before finding her. She has enriched me and my family’s lives more than she’ll ever know. If everyone could be so lucky to find a Dr Kirlik!
Written on Apr 15, 2024 after therapy with Sarah for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, and adhd