Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists in Columbus, OH

I consider it a supreme privilege to accompany my clients into the work of healing, growth, and self-discovery. Entering into these vulnerable and deeply personal spaces with my clients is sacred to me, and I work hard to provide the kind of safety, compassion, and attention that allows deep change. I work with a huge variety of issues but find that my strengths lie primarily in the area of anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, identity formation, spiritual direction, self-esteem, and relational strengthening. I take a holistic approach to therapy choosing to address the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.

The stigma surrounding mental health care is finally starting to dissipate. It is my hope that preemptive counseling will eventually become as routine as annual trips to a primary care doctor. There’s much yet to be learned about the uncharted depths of the emotional world. The best place to start is in your own life. By doing your own work, you naturally pave the way for someone else to do theirs. Why not start today? If you’re stuck on your own path toward health, in a struggling relationship, or simply want to develop greater self-awareness, it’d be my honor to work with you.

Choosing the right therapist to hear your story and support your healing process is a very personal and important decision. I provide therapy that is affirming, holistic, and collaborative, and I create an environment where honest self-exploration and healing can occur. Individuals see me for a range of concerns including anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, grief and loss, and gender and sexuality concerns.

I specialize in supporting people in healing from trauma and finding health and well-being in their lives and relationships. I realize that my clients come to my office to talk about some of their deepest pains and experiences. Sometimes they carry shame, fear, and anxiety or depression due to these events. I'll welcome you with an open, warm, and deeply present therapeutic experience. Therapy is designed to provide an emotionally safe and supportive space where we do very sensitive work.

Are you in emotional pain? Have you been through difficult or traumatic life experiences? Learning to deal with life's challenges and finding your way out of deep emotional pain can be overwhelming. The decision to attend counseling is not always easy and choosing the right therapist to partner with you is important. If you are ready to work to find hope and healing, I am ready to help you. My practice is effective because I work with all parts of the self-- helping you move through the difficult experiences you have encountered and help bring meaning back to life!

Ms. Sara Bates is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation trained in Trauma-Informed Care for All, Family Therapy, Gender-Affirming Care and Therapy, Sex-Positive Therapy, Pleasure Education and Intimacy Coaching, Couples Counseling, CBT, DBT, and IFS ; treating both adolescents and adult populations.  Her clinical approach is to meet the clients where they are, by building on personal strengths and supporting them through life’s difficult challenges. She provides EAP services as a contractor, for local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Presence, trust, and empathy are the basic building blocks to creating any healing relationship. In a society that doesn’t always support wellness, isolation, grief, and overstimulation are all too familiar. My aim is to provide you with a space to feel seen and supported, where you can open up as your empowered, authentic Self. Together in a non-judgmental environment, we’ll explore the parts of you that are stuck to discover your highest potential. Whether we’re sitting with grief, working towards developing boundaries, or navigating stress and anxiety, we’ll explore your inner landscapes in an affirming, safe environment.

We all have innate needs for closeness, connection, and comfort. Sometimes, nothing is more painful or lonely than feeling like we aren't getting the support and investment from others that we desire. I am committed to helping individuals and romantic partners embrace curiosity and compassion – towards themselves, towards their loved ones, and towards their individual and relational patterns. I love helping partners relearn how to be vulnerable with each other, as well as access and own their individual and shared needs for connection.

I have experience working with adults and adolescents in an outpatient capacity. I have experience working with a variety of issues such as complex trauma, anxiety, depression as well as many other behavioral and emotional challenges.

For more than ten years, I have counseled individuals impacted by trauma and addiction. I have specialized in working with vulnerable populations who have complex trauma or post traumatic stress disorder with a focus on survivors of human trafficking. Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to address the unique needs of the first responder community. Much of my experience has been with individuals impacted by substance abuse or addiction, including those in recovery and their loved ones. I have been trained in a variety of interventions that allow clients to process their traumatic experiences effectively and efficiently.

I am accepting new clients. Do you feel like it has been hard to find your place in this world? Maybe you have had to make life altering sacrifices just to feel like you could fit in somewhere. I care about creating a therapeutic space that is designed to help you find and embrace the fullest expression of YOU. I enjoy collaboratively working with adult clients that are interested in a compassionate, person-centered, LGBT+ affirming and trauma-informed approach to counseling. With time, patience and a willingness to show up I will help you pick up the pieces and rediscover the value in the person that makes up those pieces.

I am trained in evidence based models that target emotional experiences to restructure relationships and activate healing. I assist couples by creating an environment that safely moves people towards one another allowing for new and life changing bonding experiences. With individuals, I welcome all parts of each person as they learn to befriend, understand, embrace, and lead themselves. Because I view people as "stuck" and not "sick," it is my hope to be a part of your journey in getting unstuck. Please click the button under my picture to go to my website and find out more!

“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” -Coco Chanel We all have different life experiences, beliefs, values, strengths, challenges, obstacles, levels of support, etc. I utilize an integrative approach that allows me to work with you to tailor treatment to meet your unique needs. Therapeutic techniques can be integrated from Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based, Culturally Sensitive, Cognitive Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, Psychodynamic, Eye Movement Desensitization and Restructuring (EMDR), Internal Family Systems ( IFS ), Motivational Interviewing, and Positive Psychology.

We all crave connection with others. We thrive when we experience belonging & acceptance, both within our own souls & the hearts of others. When that connection is weakened or damaged through struggles with communication, lack of safety, or fears of rejection, we often resort to strategies aimed at self-protection. While that protection is sacred, I want to help that protector within you learn to trust your Self & follow your lead. You have within you a powerful resource of connection, compassion, & creativity. I seek to assist you in reclaiming your sacred power—your internal capacity to promote healing, resilience, & pleasure.