Sarah Burkhead
Hi everyone, I’m a Therapist with 11 years of experience, two Master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s from UC Berkeley. I specialize in:
Being a Therapist and knowing my career helps others feel less alone, more validated supported and genuinely heard brings me happiness.
1) Anxiety and helping people overcome the constant thought spiral that overwhelms them or the negative things they tell themselves and just can't seem to escape. 2) Helping men who are struggling with sexual dysfunction, performance anxiety, or worry that’s taking over their daily life. 3) Guiding men and women who are navigating relationships and relationship difficulties of all kinds—familial, friendships, romantic (monogamous, polyamorous, open, or still figuring it out)—and the communication challenges that come with them. My approach is grounded in helping you understand your thought patterns, where they may be a disservice to you and how to change them in order to create behavioral change. We’ll set clear goals together and break them down into doable steps, and I’ll be here to encourage you rather than judge you if things feel hard along the way. I also make a point of highlighting the strengths you already have and reminding you of them on the days you forget. Supporting people in feeling less alone, more understood, and genuinely heard is the part of this work that brings me joy. Please note: I don’t provide couples counseling, but I do offer individual therapy focused on relationship concerns, intimacy, and identity. I am LGBTQ+ and kink‑affirming. This is a safe space.
First session
In our first session together we will start with introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you are facing and your goals for therapy. Your time is valuable to me which is why I believe so strongly in diving right in.
Strengths
My approach to therapy starts with helping you feel genuinely comfortable talking about things that might feel vulnerable or hard to say out loud. I’ve been told I have a warm, bubbly, and friendly presence, and I use that to create a space where you can be honest without feeling judged or embarrassed. At the same time, I specialize in areas that require a therapist who truly understands the territory. Sexual dysfunction, performance anxiety, and non‑traditional relationship dynamics aren’t “general therapy” issues — they’re deeply personal experiences that can bring up shame, fear, and confusion. I’ve spent over a decade helping people move through those feelings with clarity, compassion, and practical tools. When you’re dealing with something this intimate, working with someone who knows the landscape makes all the difference.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients enjoy a proactive solution focused approach and sessions that come with small doable homework assignments with each session aimed at helping you reach those goals. Ideally these would be: 1) People with anxiety 2) People needing sex therapy or just a sex positive therapist in general or difficulty in their relationship (individual counseling, not couples). 3) People navigating difficult relationships - familial, friends, romantic.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
Strength Based treatment focuses on identifying and utilizing the skills you are already very skilled at and may not recognize in order to create change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT looks at how you interpret events and situations that occur and how that interpretation can affect your emotions. We work together to see what other interpretations are possible that would result in a less stressful emotional response.
Location
Virtual sessions