--- title: About Dr. Sarah date: 2024-03-21T23:23:14Z modified: 2026-07-01T17:17:07Z permalink: "https://drsarahallen.com/about-dr-sarah/" type: page status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 20 featured_image: "https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Sarah-Allen-office.jpg" featured_image_alt: Dr. Sarah Allen sitting in her Northbrook IL office 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’m originally from the UK, and what started as a two-year move to Northbrook, a North Shore suburb of Chicago, turned into more than two decades of living, working and raising my family here! It was an adventure moving to a different country but I feel that we have been really embraced by our great community. ## How I Can Help Seeking therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve been carrying so much on your own. If you’re struggling with anxiety, stress, pregnancy or postpartum mood disorders, parenting, emotional eating or depression. I have extensive experience helping women navigate difficult times when they feel anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck. With more 25 years of clinical experience and specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I focus on helping you create lasting change rather than simply managing symptoms. I see clients in person at my Northbrook, IL office in the north suburbs of Chicago and [remotely](https://drsarahallen.com/telephone-online-sessions/) throughout Illinois, Florida, and the UK. ![Northbrook, IL therapist Dr. Sarah Allen standing outside of her office ](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/drsarah-809x1024.jpg) ## **Areas I Specialize In** [**Anxiety:**](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/anxiety-counseling/) practical tools for racing thoughts, worry, and stress, whether it shows up at work, in relationships, or as a parent. [**Pregnancy & Postpartum:**](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/pregnancy-postpartum/) support for the anxiety, mood changes, and overwhelm that can come with pregnancy and the first years of parenthood. **[Women’s Counseling:](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/womens-counseling/)** therapy for the life transitions unique to women, including perimenopause, infertility, and pregnancy loss. [**Emotional Eating**:](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/) support for breaking the cycle between stress, emotions, and food. [**Depression:**](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/depression/) help getting unstuck from low mood, low energy, and the sense that nothing feels worth doing. [**Relationship**](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/relationship-coaching/) & **[Parenting Coaching:](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/parenting-coaching/)** coaching to improve communication with a partner or to handle the everyday challenges of raising kids. I see clients in person at my Northbrook, IL office in the north suburbs of Chicago, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I offer remote therapy via video or phone for clients throughout Illinois, Florida, and the UK on Mondays through Thursdays. My professional licenses only allow me to work with people who are located in those areas. My skills and years 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. ![Dr. Sarah Allen sitting in her Northbrook IL office](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/drsarahallen-809x1024.jpg) ### Why Clients Choose Me Many clients tell me they appreciate that I: - Focus on lasting change, not endless therapy - Have extensive training, skills & experience - Quickly identify what’s keeping them stuck - Offer practical tools rather than just listening - Balance warmth with direct guidance - Help them understand the root causes of anxiety and emotional struggles ## **What It’s Like to Work With Me** Clients often describe me as warm, practical, and easy to talk to. My approach is collaborative. I bring decades of clinical experience and evidence-based tools, while you bring expertise about yourself and your own life. Together, we identify what’s keeping you stuck and develop strategies that help you move forward with confidence. ![Dr. Sarah Allen sitting in her Northbrook IL office](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Sarah-Allen-office.jpg) ### Training, Skills & Experience I completed my psychology doctorate studies at Southampton University, England, where I trained in a treatment called [cognitive behavior therapy (CBT](https://drsarahallen.com/what-is-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 decades of clinical 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. 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. My volunteer work with the PPD IL is my passion and has been a way for me to bring my passion for this work to a wider community. [ ![Free download: Simple Steps to Overcome Depression ebook cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Overcome-Depression-2024-Update_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/depression/free-depression-book/#ebook) [ ![Free download: Simple Steps to Overcome Emotional Eating ebook cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Overcome-Emotional-Eating-Updated-2024-_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/weight-eating-issues/#ebook) [ ![Free download: Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders ebook cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Guide-to-Pregnancy-and-Postpartum-2024-Updated_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/pregnancy-postpartum-guide/#ebook) [ ![Free download: How to Stop Arguing With Your Child booklet cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-To-Stop-Arguing-With-Your-Child-Booklet-2024_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/parenting-coaching/#ebook) [ ![Free download: Simple Steps to Improve Communication ebook cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Improve-Communication-Updated-2024_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/relationship-coaching/#ebook) [ ![Free download: Simple Steps to Improve Your Mood ebook cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Improve-Your-Mood-Updated-2024-Version_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/womens-counseling/#ebook) [ ![Free download: Simple Steps to Overcome Anxiety and Worrying ebook cover](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simple-Steps-To-Overcome-Anxiety-and-Worrying-2024-Edition_Page_01-791x1024.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/counseling-services/anxiety-counseling/free-anxiety-book/#ebook) ### Interests & Hobbies I love traveling, spending time outdoors and 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 [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/drsfcallen), [Instagram,](https://www.instagram.com/drsarahallen/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/drsarahallen) & [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsarahallen). ### 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 you. 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 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](https://www.bps.org.uk/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 sitting in her office about to do a video appointment with one of her clients.](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sarah.Edit2-1-1024x928.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 CoachingParentingWomen’s Issues [ ![anxious woman remembering her chaotic childhood](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/chaos-childhood-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-childhood-chaos-shapes-adult-anxiety-and-stress/) ### [ How Childhood Chaos Shapes Adult Anxiety and Stress ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-childhood-chaos-shapes-adult-anxiety-and-stress/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/how-childhood-chaos-shapes-adult-anxiety-and-stress/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![Woman looking angry, illustrating strategies for how to calm down when you're angry](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/calm-down-anger-1-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-calm-down-when-youre-angry/) ### [ How to Calm Down When You’re Angry: Strategies That Work ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-calm-down-when-youre-angry/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-calm-down-when-youre-angry/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/anxiety-questions-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/common-questions-about-anxiety-counseling/) ### [ Common Questions About Anxiety Counseling ](https://drsarahallen.com/common-questions-about-anxiety-counseling/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/common-questions-about-anxiety-counseling/) 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?wsr) ](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 [ ![ADHD when you are a mom makes parenting harder.](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/adhd-motherhood-blue-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](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 [ ![Woman eating ice cream and comfort foods in bed, illustrating how anxiety affects emotional eating and stress snacking](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/anxiety-appetite-binge-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/treatment-for-emotional-eating-and-anxiety/) ### [ How Anxiety Affects Your Appetite: Emotional Eating, Binge Eating, and Stress Snacking Explained ](https://drsarahallen.com/treatment-for-emotional-eating-and-anxiety/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/treatment-for-emotional-eating-and-anxiety/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![Active vs Useless Worrying](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/active-worrying-1-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/manage-anxiety-by-understanding-active-vs-useless-worrying/) ### [ Manage Anxiety by Understanding Active vs. Useless Worrying ](https://drsarahallen.com/manage-anxiety-by-understanding-active-vs-useless-worrying/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/manage-anxiety-by-understanding-active-vs-useless-worrying/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![How to Set Boundaries When You Struggle to Say No](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Set-boundries-say-no-1-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-set-boundaries-say-no/) ### [ How to Set Boundaries When You Struggle to Say No ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-set-boundaries-say-no/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-set-boundaries-say-no/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![Understanding Overstimulation in Moms: Causes and Coping Tips](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/overstimulation-moms-2-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/understanding-overstimulation-in-moms-causes-and-coping-tips/) ### [ Understanding Overstimulation in Moms: Causes and Coping Tips ](https://drsarahallen.com/understanding-overstimulation-in-moms-causes-and-coping-tips/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/understanding-overstimulation-in-moms-causes-and-coping-tips/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![Thinking About Thinking: Using Metacognition to Manage Anxiety](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/metacognition-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/metacognition-to-manage-anxiety/) ### [ Thinking About Thinking: Using Metacognition to Manage Anxiety ](https://drsarahallen.com/metacognition-to-manage-anxiety/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/metacognition-to-manage-anxiety/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![Overcoming Guilt: Why Self-Care Matters and 10 Ways to Start](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/guilt-self-care-1-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/overcoming-guilt-self-care/) ### [ Overcoming Guilt: Why Self-Care Matters and 10 Ways to Start ](https://drsarahallen.com/overcoming-guilt-self-care/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/overcoming-guilt-self-care/) By Dr. Sarah Allen [ ![How to Beat the Sunday Scaries: Tips From an Anxiety Expert](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/sunday-scaries-1024x536.jpeg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-beat-the-sunday-scaries-tips-from-an-anxiety-expert/) ### [ How to Beat the Sunday Scaries: Tips From an Anxiety Expert ](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-beat-the-sunday-scaries-tips-from-an-anxiety-expert/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/how-to-beat-the-sunday-scaries-tips-from-an-anxiety-expert/) 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?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured on the BBC](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bbc-logo-red-e1711144655268.jpg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Glamour Magazine](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Glamour-Logo.svg.png?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Huff Post](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/layer1@2x.png?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Reader's Digest](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Readers-Digest-Logo.svg?wsr) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![Dr. Sarah Allen featured in Redbook](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/redbook-logo.png?wsr) ](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?wsr) ](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?wsr) ](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.