Trauma therapy for tweens and teens in Pennsylvania & Delaware

It’s 2 AM and you can’t sleep.  Again. 

Since that terrible thing happened to your child, everything has been upside down.  Your child is a shell of themselves.  Once full of laughter and joy, now withdrawing from friends and family.  You can see the worry and fear in their eyes, and they’re often lost in their thoughts.

The seemingly simple joys of childhood- playing, learning, dreaming- are overshadowed by an invisible weight they can’t seem to shake off. They startle easily, lash out over small things, and stay up all night trying to avoid the nightmares that leave them exhausted and irritable.  School called again. More missed assignments and dropping grades. Another day of zoning out in class.

The thoughts are swirling in your head: Will my child ever be OK?  Is their life ruined?  Did I miss something?  Am I to blame?

Every ounce of you wishes you could take away their pain.

You’ve tried it all. Being present, backing off, asking the hard questions, staying quiet. Still, nothing seems to reach them.  Friends, family, and professionals offer advice. And although everyone has an opinion, no one really gets it.

It’s time to seek help from someone who understands.  Someone who is skilled and specializes in trauma.  Someone who can help your child heal the wounds of their past, and begin to feel safe, steady, and whole again.

Dear Parent or Caregiver,

Hello and welcome!  I’m so glad you are here.  Your child is struggling and needs help.  I understand what you are experiencing with your child can be overwhelming.  But there’s encouraging news.  With my qualifications and experience, we can work together to improve the situation for you and your child.      

I am a licensed professional counselor with experience in community, hospital, and school settings.  I provide virtual psychotherapy throughout the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware.  I specialize in tweens (over 9 years old) and teens who have a history of trauma.  This might include abuse (sexual, physical, emotional), neglect, witnessing domestic violence, serious illness, accidents, disasters, traumatic grief, divorce, separation from a parent, placement in the child welfare system, and other traumatizing events.

I use scientifically-grounded approaches and view healing from a mind-body perspective.  Information about the specific modalities I most often use can be found here.  I also understand that healing cannot take place without first building a trusting relationship.  Therefore, I do everything I can to create a secure therapeutic environment and help children and teens feel empowered.  I honor individual differences and strive to meet each client’s unique needs.  I work alongside parents and caregivers because, after all, you are the expert of your child.

If you feel that I might be a good fit for your child, please reach out for a consultation.  I’m here to support them every step of the way.

With warmth and respect,

Sarah Sternlieb

Education & Memberships

  • BS Psychology, Ithaca College                                                                     
  • MS Mental Health Counseling, Suffolk University
  • American Counseling Association Member                                         
  • Pennsylvania Counseling Association Member  
  • EMDR International Association Member

Credentials

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (Pennsylvania)  
  • Mental Health Interstate TELEHEALTH REgistration: Professional Counselor of Mental HEALTH (Delaware)       
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive  Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) Certified 
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Trained 
  • Childhood Traumatic Grief (CTG) TraiNED                      
  • Parent-Child Interaction Training (PCIT) Trained                    
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed

“Sarah is an outstanding therapist. We are truly grateful for how she’s helped our son.”

“My sons love doing therapy online and I can see a huge difference in our family dynamic. Sarah is playing a tremendous part in helping my boys recover from their traumatic early experiences and blossom.”

“Sarah is an outstanding therapist. We are truly grateful for how she’s helped our son.” “My sons love doing therapy online and I can see a huge difference in our family dynamic. Sarah is playing a tremendous part in helping my boys recover from their traumatic early experiences and blossom.”

Services

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process and heal from traumatic memories. Imagine the brain as a library where memories are stored as books. When someone experiences trauma, some books (memories) get misplaced and cause distress whenever they encounter them.

EMDR helps by using bilateral stimulation, like side to side movements, to organize these misplaced books and put them back in the right place. This makes the traumatic memories less vivid and less emotionally charged, allowing your child to live life without being constantly triggered by them.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral (TF-CBT) Therapy

TF-CBT is an evidence-based therapy designed to help children and teens who have experienced traumatic events. Imagine a child carrying a heavy backpack filled with overwhelming memories and emotions. TF-CBT helps them unpack what’s inside, process the weight of their experiences, and replace unhelpful thoughts with empowering ones. Over time, the load becomes lighter, and they gain the tools to move forward with confidence and resilience.

  • I’m currently in-network with Aetna for Pennsylvania residents only. If you’re in PA and have Aetna coverage, your sessions may be partially or fully covered depending on your specific plan.

    For all other insurance plans, I’m considered an out-of-network provider. This means I don’t bill insurance directly, but I can provide a monthly superbill for you to submit for possible reimbursement. Please note that insurance companies typically require a diagnosis, and reimbursement depends on your out-of-network benefits.

    My fee is $200 per 50-minute session, and I’m happy to guide you through verifying your benefits or exploring potential reimbursement options.

    Good Faith Estimate

    In compliance with the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate that outlines the expected costs of your care. This applies to anyone who is uninsured or not using insurance. If your bill is at least $400 more than your estimate, you have the right to dispute it. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

  • As we work together, you can expect:

    - An initial consultation to discuss your child or teen's needs and goals

    - Regular sessions tailored to your child/teen's development, strengths, and specific concerns

    - Evidence-based therapeutic approaches

    - A collaborative approach, involving you in the process as appropriate

    - Ongoing assessment of progress and adjustment of treatment plans as needed

    - A supportive, non-judgmental environment for your child or teen to grow and heal

  • Therapy sessions are delivered virtually, allowing for:

    - Convenience and flexibility in scheduling

    - Comfort for your child/teen in their familiar home environment

    - Elimination of travel time and costs

    - Access to quality care regardless of your location

    - Continuity of care even during times when in-person meetings aren't possible

    I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure your child or teen's privacy and confidentiality during online sessions.

  • I understand parents' desire to be informed about their child or teen's therapy.  However, maintaining confidentiality is crucial for building trust and ensuring the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship.  Here's what you can expect:

    - Regular parent/caregiver sessions to discuss general updates on your child or teen's progress.

    - Guidance on ways you can support your child or teen's growth and healing.

    - Information on any homework or practices that may benefit your child between sessions.

    While specific details of your child or teen's sessions remain confidential, there are circumstances where this confidentiality may be breached.  My approach balances respecting your child's privacy with keeping you informed and involved in their therapeutic journey.

  • Step 1: Click the "Get Started Now" button to schedule a free consultation

    Step 2: Fill out some quick forms on the confidential client portal

    Step 3: Show up for your child/teen's first session and help them start feeling better

FAQs