Sarah Leonard, LMSW earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University at Albany followed by her master’s degree in social work from Capella University.
She started her counseling career at Vanderheyden working with at risk youth as a diagnostic clinician, and she has many years of experience working at the Residential Treatment Center level of care where she became skilled in providing psychotherapy and crisis intervention to adolescents, children and families. Sarah also has outpatient mental health experience working with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, dual diagnoses (intellectual disabilities/mental health & mental health/addiction), OCD, complex trauma, conduct disorder, mood disorders, and oppositional defiant disorder.
Her clinical interests include OCD, anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, as well as pre, peri and postnatal mental health. Sarah utilizes treatment modalities specific to each client, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Solution Focused, Person Centered, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems, Attachment Based Approaches and Mind-Body practices.
Sarah is passionate about taking a holistic approach to treatment and supports clients in exploring how all aspects of their lives connect and impact their wellbeing. Sarah believes building a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation of the treatment process and she hopes to create a safe environment that will allow her clients to comfortably explore their emotions, process their feelings, gain insight, and feel empowered.
