Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m the Program Director at Coastal DBT, and I work as both a DBT therapist and a DBT skills trainer.

What matters most to me is that I’m intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) directly through the Behavioral Tech Institute—the organization founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan herself. I also bring experience in psychological assessments, including personality testing and evaluations of intellectual functioning.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with all kinds of wonderful people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. That said, there are a few areas where my heart and expertise really shine:

• I specialize in using DBT with folks who are struggling with substance abuse. This comes from a very personal place—I’ve been in my own recovery since May 16, 2011, so I truly understand that journey from the inside.

• I also specialize in supporting Christian clients and those who have experienced church trauma. I have some experience with cult-related trauma as well, and I hold that work with a lot of care and respect.

I hold a Master’s degree and have completed extensive doctoral training in Counselor Education and Supervision. That journey has been such a gift—it sharpened my skills in psychological and educational testing, assessment, and thoughtful treatment planning. It also gave me deep exposure to evidence-based therapies for both adults and adolescents. Most importantly, it helped me grow both as a scientist of human behavior (through staying close to the research on DBT and trauma) and as a more compassionate human being, especially after spending time working with disadvantaged populations, including incarcerated individuals and those recently released from prison.

When trauma needs to be processed, I’m trained to use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE), and I always tailor the approach to what feels safest and most helpful for each person.

Right now I’m in the middle of some exciting new learning: I’m taking intensive training in DBT for children, and I’m diving deep into how DBT can help with eating disorders and OCD. I’m also working hard toward full certification with the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. That feels especially meaningful because, at the moment, there are only six people in the entire state of South Carolina who hold this certification.

If you think we might be a good fit, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at Sarah.Leitner@CoastalDBT.com or by phone at (803) 525-4085.

I’m truly honored to walk alongside people on their healing journeys, and I look forward to the possibility of meeting you.

Warmly, Sarah