Meet Your Therapist: Sarah Hacker
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · LGBTQIA+ Specialist · North Carolina
Sarah Hacker is a licensed LCSW, LCAS, and CCS who has been a clinical social worker in North Carolina since 2014. Over more than a decade of practice, she has worked with individuals from the Outer Banks to the Appalachian Mountains — bringing affirming, compassionate care to people navigating some of life’s most difficult terrain.
Her specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use, with a particular focus on serving the LGBTQIA+ community. As a queer cis woman who came out later in life, Sarah brings both professional expertise and genuine lived experience to her work — which means you won’t spend your sessions educating your therapist on what it means to be queer. She already gets it.
The Story Behind the Name
We aren’t called Out of the Closet Counseling just because we work primarily with the traditionally underserved LGBTQIA+ population — though that’s certainly part of it.
When Sarah first started Out of the Closet Counseling, the office was literally in a closet. Pair that with coming out later in life as a queer person and building a practice centered on LGBTQIA+ care, and the name just felt right. It’s a nod to where it all began, and a reflection of who this practice is for.
Today the practice has more space — and a lot more clients — but the mission hasn’t changed: to provide affirming, high-quality mental health care to people who deserve a therapist that truly sees them.
Sarah Hacker,
LCSW, LCAS, CCS
Founder & Owner of Out of the Closet Counseling, PLLC
How Sarah Works
Sarah’s approach is laid-back, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that real healing starts with real connection. She doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model of therapy — instead, she draws from a range of evidence-based modalities to meet each client where they are.
Therapeutic approaches Sarah uses include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Gestalt Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Approaches
- Narrative Therapy
Whether you’re working through something specific or just trying to make sense of where you are in life, Sarah’s goal is to build a judgment-free space where you feel safe enough to do the real work.
“I strive to build a judgment-free space, where we can work collaboratively in order to face life’s hurdles. I would be honored to walk with you on this journey of healing and growth.”
Credentials & Training
Sarah Hacker holds the following licenses and credentials in North Carolina:
- LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- LCAS — Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist
- CCS — Certified Clinical Supervisor
- Safe Zone Trained
- NALGAP Member — The Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies
NPI# 1003565839
Sarah currently sees clients exclusively via telehealth and accepts most major insurance plans through her partnership with Headway.
Is Sarah the Right Fit for You?
Sarah works best with clients who are ready to show up honestly — even when that’s hard. You don’t need to have everything figured out before your first session. You just need to be willing to start.
If you’re looking for a therapist who will meet you where you are, affirm who you are, and walk alongside you without judgment, Sarah would love to connect.