I am a socially responsible practitioner, who respects and celebrates human diversity and difference. Trained as a generalist, I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in working with emerging adults, ages 15-25, and individuals coping with various life transitions, self-harming behaviors, anxiety symptoms, disordered eating habits, self-esteem concerns, and women's issues. Additionally, areas of interest include grief/trauma counseling, depression, LGBTQ related topics, and eliminating self-defeating behaviors.

At OSU's Department of Psychiatry, I specialize in treating adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Intrusive Thoughts, Debilitating Perfectionism, Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (uncontrollable worry about many different ordinary things), Panic Disorder, and Phobias. Therapy typically works best when clinicians integrate state-of-the-art cognitive-behavioral therapy with an empathic, respectful, and collaborative style. In addition, I emphasize, not just reducing symptoms, but also living a vital full life. I have expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including Exposure with Response Prevention, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Cognitive Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

For many clients, achieving their goals means increasing their capacity for acceptance of themselves and others, empathy and understanding of others, and being able to manage and share their emotions. I believe that a positive outcome of a successful counseling relationship is much more than the absence of symptoms or illness. Rather, it's the sustained ability to enthusiastically engage in all aspects of life: relationships, marriage and family, work, friends, and community.

Engaging in the process of psychotherapy invites you to become more self-aware. This heightened awareness can inspire and encourage you to seek changes in your relationship with yourself and others. I join in collaboration with my clients to better understand past and present experiences and how they currently affect life options, choices, and decisions. As a therapist, I draw upon clients’ emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual resilience to support healing and engagement in life.

I have 10+ years experience conducting therapy with children, adolescents, adults, families, with special expertise in depression, anxiety, women's issues, grief/loss, couples and family therapy, parenting concerns, and behavioral challenges in children and adolescents. I utilize an integrative approach to meet each client's unique needs and goals, incorporating cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based interventions. I am dedicated to building strong therapeutic relationships with my clients by providing empathy, respect, and compassion in a non-judging, safe environment. My collaborative, individualized approach empowers clients to make lasting changes in their lives and increase feelings of self-worth.

With over a decade of experience, I strive to provide a safe and secure place for individuals to address emotional and psychological problems that often result in personal suffering and struggling relationships. I place great emphasis on empathy and believe that we all encounter deep dark places that are best worked through when we have a safe and compassionate person to walk alongside us through the journey. Helping others find a way forward in order to experience fulfilling relationships and a joy-filled life is very important to me.

I provide diagnostic assessment and treatment for adult populations with a broad range of mental health disorders, specializing in the treatment of anxiety and trauma-related disorders. My goals for all patients are two-fold: 1) to help mitigate symptoms in the immediate using cognitive-behavioral strategies and 2) to help patients identify and overcome unhelpful behavioral and relational patterns for long-term symptom reduction and life enhancement.

Life can sometimes bring unexpected twists and turns that may cause self doubt and uncertainty. In these days of uncertainty, I work with client's to identify and develop the skills they need to help make sense out of life's difficulties. Often times clients may be unsure of their goals due to the challenges they have faced. I empower clients on their journey of transformation. For the last 2+ years I have worked in a non-profit community mental health agency helping a diverse population of clients reach their goals.

My special niche in the Columbus area is helping people integrate or better manage their patterns of thinking,believing,feeling,and acting. I have two doctorates,one in clinical psychology and one in pastoral counseling, with over 35 years of experience working with individuals and couples. I love what I do.

*I have immediate openings for virtual telehealth sessions for anyone in the state of Ohio. I would be honored to support you during this time of uncertainty, adjustment, and loss.* Have you recently lost a loved one? Moved away from family or lost a job? Graduated and felt unsure what to do next? Did a relationship end that left you feeling heartbroken? Have you lost motivation to get tasks done and spend time with friends? I can help you process your loss, learn coping skills, understand why you feel the way you feel, and most importantly, adjust to your new normal.

Each day it seems that life presents a new challenge, often causing us to question certain decisions that we have made or to consider new paths that we would like to explore. My goal is to gain a clear picture of each individual's needs, explore new and more effective ways of problem solving, and help each individual develop greater insight and growth. I believe the relational component of therapy is essential and serves at the foundation for establishing trust, compassion, empathy, and respect. I have expertise in working with individuals of all ages: children, adolescents, adults and families.

Are you tired, filled with anxiety, feeling sad? Unhappy or stuck in a relationship? Trained in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I have over twenty years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I use evidenced based practices to work with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, women's issues, relational and life transitions, as well as, couples and family therapy. My philosophy about therapy is that everyone needs to experience safety, confidentiality and feel understood in order to make necessary changes that can lead to more fulfilling life choices.

I work with children (ages 3-18) who are experiencing anxiety, depression, academic stress/pressure, friendship concerns, low confidence, anger and strong emotional reactions, concerns related to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), grief, loss, divorce, and life adjustments. I am particularly skilled at building and maintaining a trusting relationship with adolescents in order to help them feel understood, heard and valued. In addition, I work with emerging adults as they adjust to college, careers, and living independently. Adults that I may see often struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, depression, work/life balance, relationship difficulties, and parenting concerns.

Are you struggling in your relationship? Do you feel more like roommates than partners? Has conflict consumed your relationship? Deep emotional injuries can take a severe toll on both you and your relationship and inhibit you from having the connection you desire with your partner. Life is difficult. Your relationship shouldn't be another stressor or "chore" on a long to-do list. Find joy and peace in your relationship. At the core of a healthy, happy relationship is a strong friendship. Couples therapy is designed to help you strengthen your friendship as a couple and build the skills needed for a lasting, happy relationship.

Sara A. Klusas, LISW-S is a licensed social worker who provides services for individuals, couples and families to help enhance positive communication, build or maintain more fulfilling relationships, and aid in the skillful management of life stresses. She has expertise in the areas of self-esteem, substance abuse, career counseling, stress management, anxiety, depression, sports counseling and social difficulties. Mrs. Klusas possesses a strong belief in empowering individuals and families to make positive changes; she ensures each individual and family receives unique assistance according to their specific needs and goals.

CURRENTLY PRACTICING TELEHEALTH VIA META APP. Speaking your truth and finding your voice. Clients often seek counseling looking for answers. It is helpful to have someone walk with you on the journey for your truth. Therapy helps you to be still and pay attention to your own inner wisdom. If you are confronting life changes, depression, anxiety, everyday insecurities, or a combination of the above therapy helps to name these obstacles and turn them into opportunities for growth.

You know that "thing" you are going through right now? That "thing" that prompted you to look up a therapist? No need to go through that thing alone. Be it adjustment to motherhood, divorce/separation, employment or college strife, work/life balance, difficult family situations, or concern for the future, we can work through this. Interested in enhancing communication skills, developing stronger coping mechanisms, or processing a difficult time in life? I believe in practical, sustainable methods of treatment. My approach is compassionate but honest. Together, we will identify your thought patterns while improving emotional regulation and self awareness.

My theoretical orientation is eclectic and integrative incorporating interpersonal process therapy (IPT) (here and now), psychodynamic, relational and CBT models. I approach therapy from a strengths based approach, focusing on client’s inherent strengths and resiliencies rather than their weaknesses. I also utilize CBT to focus on changing negative core beliefs and cognitive distortions and DBT to teach distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal assertiveness skills. Lastly, I am very relational in my approach in order to provide clients with a corrective emotional experience and holding environment for them to feel safe, secure, empowered and validated.

Welcome adults, children, teens, LGBTQ, couples, and families who are in need of a therapist with a sense of humor, engaging personality, perceptive mind, and caring attitude. As a client, you will experience a safe, non-judgmental place in which to process and explore feelings related to mood disorders, relationship issues, ADHD, grief, anxiety, substance abuse, and trauma. It is my goal to provide my clients with the tools necessary to take charge of their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to reduce stress and enjoy life.

Life is difficult and unfortunately the world we live in doesn't foster the belief in asking for help or sharing our feelings. Many people feel disconnected and alone and more importantly disconnected from one's own self. I approach counseling as collaboration between therapist and client with a goal of helping people re-discover their innate ability to heal and become whole again My approach to therapy sessions is to utilize a mix of cognitive based therapies with mindful attention to somatic experiences in hopes of gaining insight into patterns and issues that derail us from living a value centered existence.