--- title: About Dr. Sarah date: 2024-03-21T23:23:14Z modified: 2026-05-17T22:07:58Z permalink: "https://drsarahallen.com/about-dr-sarah/" type: page status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 20 featured_image: "https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/newsletterc.jpg" featured_image_alt: Dr. Sarah Allen author: Dr. Sarah Allen --- # AboutDr.Sarah Allen ## Bio Hello, I am Dr. Sarah Allen and I would like to share with you a little about myself, my skills and experience and let you know how I can be of help to you. I am from the UK but I have been living and bringing up my family here in Northbrook for the past 28 years. It was an adventure moving to a different country but I feel that we have been really embraced by our great community and love working and raising my children here. We originally came here for two years and decided to stay! ![Dr. Sarah Allen completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in the UK and has been in private practice in the Chicago area for 25 years. She also runs a statewide non-profit.](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/drsarah-809x1024.jpg) ### Training, Skills & Experience I completed my psychology graduate studies at Southampton University, England, where I trained in a treatment called cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT is short-term “here and now” therapy that is a proven effective treatment for a wide range of problems including depression, anxiety, stress, emotional eating, relationship and parenting issues. After 30 years experience working in this field, I consider myself an expert in treating these types of problems. I have worked in both hospital and outpatient settings in the UK and USA. I have presented at national and international conferences and have published research on postpartum mood disorders and articles on many topics. I am also honored to have been interviewed for many articles including ones for the Oprah Magazine, BBC, Glamour and Reader’s Digest as well as local news and media outlets. Please visit my [Media Interviews page](https://drsarahallen.com/media/) to read some of the articles I have been interviewed for. My skills and three decades of clinical experience allow me to get to the root of problems quickly and show you practical ways to feel more in control of your life. There are many ways we hold ourselves back from happiness. I empower my clients with the tools necessary to deal with the stress that life and relationships bring, both in the present and for when they show up again in the future. I am also a certified CBT Life Coach which means I use techniques to help people identify and set goals to empower themselves in order to obtain greater fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. You do not need to be diagnosed with a clinical condition i.e. depression, anxiety etc. to benefit from coaching. While completing my doctorate I became interested in women’s mental health. I especially enjoyed working with postpartum moms and completed my dissertation on childbirth trauma and the affect on Postpartum Depression and coping with new parenthood. So In addition to my private practice work, I am the Founder/Director of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois (PPD IL) which is a state-wide non-profit that brings support to women with pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders and their families. I have been in this role for 23 years and it has been a way for me to bring my passion for this work to a wider community. [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Overcome-Depression-2024-Update_Page_01-791x1024.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/depression/free-depression-book/#ebook) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Overcome-Emotional-Eating-Updated-2024-_Page_01-791x1024.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/#ebook) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Guide-to-Pregnancy-and-Postpartum-2024-Updated_Page_01-791x1024.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/pregnancy-postpartum-guide/#ebook) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-To-Stop-Arguing-With-Your-Child-Booklet-2024_Page_01-791x1024.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/parenting-coaching/#ebook) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Improve-Communication-Updated-2024_Page_01-791x1024.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/relationship-coaching/#ebook) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Improve-Your-Mood-Updated-2024-Version_Page_01-791x1024.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/womens-counseling/#ebook) ### Interests & Hobbies I love spending time outdoors hiking with family and friends but I equally enjoy curling up with a good book or relaxing on the sofa to watch a movie with the kids. There’s nothing better than getting lost in a good story! I also enjoy reading for knowledge and strongly believe that we should continue enriching ourselves with ongoing education and training. I find it exciting to keep up with the latest research and innovative practices in psychology. My social media accounts enable me to share what I learn on a wider basis so please join me there too. The links to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & LinkedIn are at the bottom of this page. ### My Goals For Our Work Together My goal for therapy is always that you will no longer need to come to see me because you will become confident in dealing with life stresses by yourself. I like to work collaboratively with individuals, couples and families. Yes, I have a lot of training and experience working with a wide range of problems, but you know yourself better than anyone. We work together to help you find the best tools and skills to help you develop the confidence to bring about positive changes for yourself. I was so pleased to be recently featured in Voyage Chicago’s Inspiring People series. If you are interested in what I was like as a child, what I have found difficult in moving from the UK to the US and what I’m passionate about, please take a look [https://drsarahallen.com/voyage-magazine-chicago/ ](https://drsarahallen.com/voyage-magazine-chicago/) I was also honored to be interviewed for The Psychologist, the professional magazine of the British Psychological Society, about being a Brit living and working abroad. I was even more excited to see the article was the cover story! Read it at [https://drsarahallen.com/the-psychologist/](https://drsarahallen.com/the-psychologist/) If you have any questions about my experience or if you want to ask how I can help you with your particular circumstances, please contact me at 847 791-7722 or on my [Contact Sarah](https://drsarahallen.com/contact/) page. I look forward to working with you! _Dr. Allen’s professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL, FL and the UK but unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients._ Illinois LCPC License No. 180.003416 [https://www.illinois.gov/services/service.professional-license-look-up.html](https://www.illinois.gov/services/service.professional-license-look-up.html) Florida LMHC License No. TPMC287 [https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/](https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/) British Chartered Clinical Psychologist [https://portal.bps.org.uk/Psychologist-Search/Chartered-Member-List/Member-Details?entityid=5513a5e4-6e5a-eb11-a812-00224840f431](https://portal.bps.org.uk/Psychologist-Search/Chartered-Member-List/Member-Details?entityid=5513a5e4-6e5a-eb11-a812-00224840f431) ![Dr. Sarah Allen Chicago area psychotherapist specializes in anxiety, depression, emotional eating, pregnancy and postpartum and parenting and relationships.](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/drsarahallen-809x1024.jpg) ## Professional member of the following organizations: ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/APA-Logo-2019-Stacked-RGB@2x.png) ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BTAblogsidebarimage-logo2023@2x-e1711330017583.png) ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Group-90@2x.png) ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/logo6-copy@2x.png) ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PSI-logo_72@2x.png) ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ica_logo_redone_2.png) ## My latest blogs Select a categoryAnxietyDepressionPregnancy and PostpartumEmotional EatingRelationship CoachingParenting [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191665) ### [ Signs Your Anxiety Is Disguised as Perfectionism at Work ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191665) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191665) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191639) ### [ Is Online Counseling Right for Anxiety and Depression? ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191639) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191639) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191414) ### [ Why Quiet Overthinking Feels Like Anxiety Even Without Panic Attacks ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191414) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191414) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191554) ### [ Choosing Anxiety Therapy in Chicago: Neighborhood Guide (Insurance & More) ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191554) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191554) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191465) ### [ Perimenopause Cravings: Hormones, Anxiety, Emotional Eating, and What Helps ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191465) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191465) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191421) ### [ How Childhood Chaos Shapes Adult Anxiety and Stress ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191421) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191421) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![Woman sitting at desk feeling anxious and overwhelmed by perfectionism](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/perfectionism-and-anxiety-cycle-1-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/break-the-perfectionism-anxiety-loop/) ### [ Why Perfectionism Keeps Anxiety Going and What to Do Instead ](https://drsarahallen.com/break-the-perfectionism-anxiety-loop/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/break-the-perfectionism-anxiety-loop/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191462) ### [ Managing Morning Anxiety Before Work with CBT Tools ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191462) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191462) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191560) ### [ Postpartum Anxiety vs. Depression: How to Tell the Difference ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191560) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191560) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191432) ### [ Emotional Eating During Anxiety Spikes: 10-Minute Plan to Ride Out Urges ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191432) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191432) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191430) ### [ Quiet Social Anxiety in Professional Women: Signs You Might Be Missing ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191430) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=191430) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![ADHD when you are a mom makes parenting harder.](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/adhd-motherhood-blue-1024x536.jpeg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/adhd-motherhood-support-and-coping-strategies/) ### [ Motherhood With ADHD: Tips to Cope and Feel Less Overwhelmed ](https://drsarahallen.com/adhd-motherhood-support-and-coping-strategies/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/adhd-motherhood-support-and-coping-strategies/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [SEE ALL THE POSTS](https://drsarahallen.com/blog/) ## As featured in [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Oprah Magazine](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/O_The_Oprah_Magazine.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured on the BBC](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bbc-logo-red-e1711144655268.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Glamour Magazine](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Glamour-Logo.svg.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Huff Post](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/layer1@2x.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Reader's Digest](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Readers-Digest-Logo.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Redbook](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/redbook-logo.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in the British Psychological Society (BPS) Magazine The Psychologist](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/psychologist-brand-title.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/the-psychologist/) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Woman's World](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Womans-world-logo_29.webp) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [Book An Appointment](https://drsarahallen.com/contact/) If you are thinking about getting counseling and you’d like to talk to someone about the things that are troubling you, I am happy to help.