Therapy
Therapy with Dr. Sauer-Zavala
Dr. Sauer-Zavala is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience providing cognitive-behavioral interventions. She is also the co-developer of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders, a well-known and effective cognitive-behavioral intervention for anxiety, depressive, and related disorders. Additionally, she is the lead developer of BPD Compass, a short-term intervention for Borderline personality disorder. Dr. Sauer-Zavala provides training on these treatments to clinicians all over the world. In addition to her role as a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Sauer-Zavala is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky (UK). In this role, she conducts clinical trials, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, to be sure her treatment strategies are effective. Dr. Sauer-Zavala has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, numerous book chapters, and three books.
Treatment Specialties
Unified Protocol for Anxiety and Depression
The Unified Protocol (UP) is a cutting edge treatment for people dealing with emotional disorders; Dr. Sauer-Zavala is a co-developer of this intervention. Difficulties commonly addressed with the UP include stress, worry, social anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, health anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. If you need help with problems like these, the UP might be right for you. Learn more about the UP.BPD Compass for Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD Compass is a short-term cognitive behavioral treatment for individuals struggling with emotional, interpersonal, and impulsive difficulties. This treatment was recently developed by Dr. Sauer-Zavala and colleagues at the University of Kentucky and represents cutting-edge care for borderline personality disorder.Values-based living to enhance wellbeing
Sometimes nothing is wrong, per se, but you have the sense that life could be more fulfilling or meaningful. Dr. Sauer-Zavala also provides mindfulness-based treatments that prioritize living in the present and identifying (and living in accordance with) what's important to YOU.Getting Started?
Who can Dr. Sauer-Zavala work with?
Dr. Sauer-Zavala is a licensed in the State of Kentucky. She also has PSYPACT certification, which means she is able to practice in any state that has enacted PSYPACT legislation (currently 38 US states); to check if you live in a state where Dr. Sauer-Zavala can provide Teletherapy, click here.
How do I initiate Services with Dr. Sauer-Zavala?
- Complete the Contact Form at the bottom of this page (select "therapy referral" and write me a little note!)
- Dr. Sauer-Zavala will respond via email (typically within 72 hours) with more information about her practice and fees; we may schedule a brief call to discuss care or go ahead and schedule a first session.
- Prior to the first session, Dr. Sauer-Zavala will email paperwork to be completed before we meet. This paperwork includes a form to sign indicating your consent to be treated, as well as a brief questionnaires about your life, previous treatment, and current difficulties.
- When the paperwork is returned, Dr. Sauer-Zavala will email you a Zoom link that will allow you to access our sessions. For patients completing in person sessions, Dr. Sauer-Zavala will share her address.
- All sessions, including the initial session last for 50 minutes. In the first session, Dr. Sauer-Zavala will learn more about your and your goals. Subsequent sessions will be dedicated to applying active coping skills to the difficulties you are experiencing. Dr. Sauer-Zavala will ask you to practice for homework.
Fees
Payment for services is due at the beginning of each session. Dr. Sauer-Zavala only accepts major credit cards; she will ask you to securely store a credit card on file with her to be charged at the time of the session. She does not accept insurance but does provide a detailed receipt with appropriate insurance codes that you may submit to your insurance company (contingent upon your insurance plan and negotiations between you and your insurance company). Clients are encouraged to contact their insurance companies to determine what percentage of the fee they may be reimbursed by their insurance companies for out-of-network delivered services.
