Individual Therapy

Dr. Sarnell uses a flexible, integrative approach, implementing a therapeutic style that will best meet your needs. She has experience utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques, with specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an active, present-focused treatment. Dr. Sarnell works with clients to create a safe environment where you can feel comfortable and explore concerns without judgment. She supports athletes and other high performers as they work to understand themselves better, implement effective coping techniques, and improve their overall quality of life. Dr. Sarnell provides services via telehealth (zoom sessions), offering evening appointments and flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy schedule.

Athletes may struggle with clinical issues related to their sport, such as debilitating performance anxiety, depression after injury, disordered eating, or post concussion syndrome. Athletes may also have clinical concerns outside of their sport, such as test anxiety, generalized anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, phobias, depression, or relationship concerns. Dr. Sarnell's expertise in both Clinical Psychology and Sport Psychology allow her to support this unique population while treating the whole person.  Her understanding of the sport environment and her ability to provide clinical interventions put her in a unique position to assist athletes as they confront these issues and help them recover.

Dr. Sarnell specializes in the treatment of anxiety, and below she shares an overview of her approach:

My Approach to Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety can show up in many ways, including constant worry, racing thoughts, panic, physical tension, perfectionism, avoidance, and feeling like your mind never shuts off. Many of my clients are high-achieving, motivated, and capable, yet feel stuck in patterns of anxiety that interfere with their confidence, performance, relationships, and ability to enjoy life.

My approach to anxiety treatment is practical, collaborative, and personalized. I integrate evidence-based therapy with performance psychology strategies to help clients not only reduce anxiety, but also build lasting skills for confidence, focus, and resilience.

Rather than just managing symptoms, we work to understand what drives your anxiety, what keeps it going, and how to change your relationship with anxious thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.

What Treatment Looks Like

Therapy is active and skills-based, with a balance of insight, practical tools, and real-life application. Together, we work to:

  • Reduce excessive worry, rumination, and overthinking

  • Learn strategies to calm the nervous system and manage physical symptoms

  • Build tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort

  • Shift unhelpful thinking patterns and self-criticism

  • Break cycles of avoidance

  • Strengthen confidence, emotion regulation, and focus

  • Learn to perform under pressure without burning out

I integrate elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based strategies, exposure-based approaches, and performance psychology techniques. This allows treatment to be structured, flexible, and tailored to what works best for you. My goal is to help you develop skills that last beyond therapy, so you feel confident managing anxiety and navigating challenges independently.

Anxiety in High Achievers, Athletes, and Perfectionists

Many of my clients experience high-functioning anxiety. On the outside, they appear successful and driven, but internally feel constant pressure, fear of failure, and difficulty slowing down.

This often shows up as:

  • Performance anxiety in academics, sports, or work

  • Test anxiety

  • Perfectionism and fear of mistakes

  • Perfectionism related to eating habits

  • Chronic stress and burnout

  • Overworking, over-preparing, and overthinking

My background in sport and performance psychology helps clients learn how to perform at a high level without being controlled by anxiety. We focus on building a healthier relationship with achievement, so confidence and motivation come from values rather than fear and pressure.

I believe effective anxiety treatment happens within a relationship that feels safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental. Therapy should feel like a place where you can be honest, curious, and challenged, without pressure to be perfect or have everything figured out.