Masters Interns

Interns are in the final year of their masters in clinical mental health counseling program. Each attends a cACREP AcCredited University & is supervised by Sarah Moore, LPC.

Sara Dickson, M.Ed., Northwestern Univ.

Women’s Therapy, Career Counseling, Pregnancy & Postpartum Therapy

Helping You Gain Perspective and Clarity

As women, it can be difficult to take a step back from the hustle of daily life to understand the challenges we face with perspective and self-love. Everything can feel too busy and our obligations at work and home can seem too weighty and overwhelming. And often the journey towards more clarity and better self-knowledge feels too hard and painful to embark on alone. 

I work with women of all ages who want a guide and partner as they navigate challenges related to family, romantic partnerships, parenting, and work. In addition to academic training for therapy, I have 20 years of experience in independent school admissions and human resources (HR) /talent acquisition. Working with adolescents, young adults, and families in education and admissions, I helped them resolve difficult questions like: How should I compare different school options? How do I make sure my child’s school is the best fit? In HR/talent acquisition, I also supported professionals and corporate executives as they navigated career challenges and transitions. I know how common it is to wonder: How do I find my professional path? How can I manage the stress of trying to balance work and family? How should I approach problems with my co-workers? I also bring my own life experience as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend to my work and I can relate to the challenges that many women face as they navigate important life stages and transitions at work and home.

Support and Empowerment for Work-Life Balance

I think the key to effective therapy is a relationship rooted in trust, empathy, and compassion and I approach my work with women with a dedication to supporting and empowering them amid the struggles they face. My goal is to help women unburden themselves from expectations, pressure, and relationship patterns from the past that do not serve them or align with their truest selves. I am particularly passionate about issues tied to identity, work-life balance, the post-partum period and parenting, and healing for adult children of alcoholics.

Who I Am Outside of Therapy

Outside of work, I most enjoy spending time with my husband and our two daughters, who are 9 and 12, and with whom I share an undying devotion to Taylor Swift. I also love hanging out with friends, reading, cooking, and discovering new restaurants.

Sara Dickson is a Masters Intern with Sarah Moore’s practice in Arlington, Virginia. She is enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Northwestern University, where is she is expected to graduate in March 2025. Sara received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology (Phi Beta Kappa) from the College of William and Mary and holds a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching from George Washington University.  Sara has directed Admissions and Financial Aid at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in Washington, DC and taught social studies and history at St. John’s College High School. In the field of talent acquisition, Sara has worked with Bain & Company, Shadow Search and Morning Consult.

Kaley Payne, Masters Intern, Marymount Univ.

Teen Therapy, Young Adult Therapy, Women’s Therapy

I Became A Therapist To Help People Climb Out Of Dark Places In Life

My path to becoming a therapist began in high school. One day, about a month into the school year, a girl on my cross-country team was reported missing. The next day, the police found her body and confirmed that she had taken her own life. This experience left me confused, heartbroken, and searching for answers—I couldn’t stop thinking about what led her to do this, and why there was no one who could help her.

I realized, then and there, that I never wanted anyone to feel this way again. I wanted to do everything I could to help people when they are in a dark place. And that’s how my goal of becoming a therapist was born.

Today, I strive to provide a safe space where clients can express their feelings freely, connect with their true identity, and work toward solutions that bring them long-lasting relief. So no matter where you are in life or what you’re going through, I would be honored to help you find the path forward and experience healing and transformation through the power of therapy.

I Am Passionate About Helping Teens And Young Women Find The Answers Within Themselves

I take a solution-focused, person-centered, and relationship-based approach to therapy. I believe that you are the expert on your own story—I’m merely there to walk alongside you, act as a voice of support, and help you find the answers within yourself. Although I sometimes draw from approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), I am very adaptable to the needs of each client. After all, I know that what works for one person may not work for another, so I’m willing to try different techniques and counseling theories if they suit my clients’ needs.

Although I am open to working with anyone who comes my way, I am especially passionate about helping teenagers and college-aged women. As a younger therapist myself, I feel that I can connect with this demographic on a very personal level. Having graduated from Penn State in 2022, I understand the emotional, mental, financial, social, and educational stress of applying to college, adjusting to life away from home, and trying to find your way in life. What’s more, young adulthood is a time of life when our most meaningful relationships are starting to change dramatically. It’s hard to maintain friendships throughout high school, college, and post-graduate life—it can feel like everyone around us is always coming and going and we don’t know who or what to hold onto. In counseling, I seek to help clients navigate the topsy-turvy nature of their relationships and find solace and stability in the midst of life’s changes.

I Have A Wide Variety Of Professional Experiences With Kids, Teens, And Adults

In addition to being a master’s level intern therapist at Sarah Moore’s practice here in Arlington, Virginia, I have a wealth of other experiences in the field of counseling. I previously ran a therapy group for children ages 6-10 who were having problems with social connection and emotional regulation. I also interned at Arlington’s Virginia Hospital Center, where I provided short-term counseling for people looking to improve their mood as quickly as possible. I used to be a sorority recruitment counselor as well, helping people navigate the emotional difficulties of joining a sorority. I even worked as a registered behavior technician in 2021, providing ABA therapy for a child with autism.

These experiences have deeply shaped my approach to therapy and given me the ability to relate to people of all ages. They helped confirm my true calling—to help people overcome their emotional hurdles, unlock their strengths, and find their true purpose.

Who I Am Outside Of Therapy

I am a native Virginian who grew up in Fairfax, so I have lived here for virtually all my life. The most important thing in my life is probably my relationship with my long-term boyfriend, who has been a source of immense support to me for many years. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends in any capacity—going out to eat, watching movies, and taking long walks together. I love traveling whenever possible and have so many places on my current bucket list.

I also go to the gym very frequently, and I believe that physical activity can have a profoundly positive impact on mental and emotional wellness.

If you want to get started on the path to wellness yourself, I encourage you to connect with me. Between your commitment to the healing process and my unconditional support, I’m confident that we can develop a plan for meeting your goals, bolstering your support system, and navigating all the changes in your life.

Kaley Payne is a master’s level intern therapist at Sarah Moore’s practice in Arlington, Virginia. She graduated from Penn State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s of science in psychology and a minor in sociology. She is currently working toward her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Marymount University and is expected to graduate in December of 2024.