Therapists in Sandusky, OH

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker clinically trained in mental health. I obtained my Masters in Social Work at the University of Cincinnati. I have worked with adults and children in multiple settings such as inpatient, outpatient, in groups and individually. I have worked over the past 10 years with a variety of diagnoses and life circumstances. I have found it important to ensure a positive and productive treatment environment. I have assisted people healing from trauma to overcoming fear and obstacles in life. I find it very important to build on trust and the therapeutic relationship when working with clients. I want people to feel safe enough to open up and comfortable enough to want to work through the therapeutic process to healing and problem solving. Techniques from Cognitive Behavioral, EMDR, Strength Based, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Focused Therapies and so on are used to assist clients over a period of consistent sessions. I believe having a "no judgment zone" approach is key to building the relationship to get the work done.

I think the most important thing to know about me is that I always strive to be open, honest, fair, and accepting of everyone I interact with, professionally or personally. I believe my number one goal as a counselor should always be to provide a safe, caring environment for clients to establish their goals based on their own measure of success and share their thoughts and feelings without worry about being judged in any way. I started my journey with counseling my senior year of high school in an internship at an adolescent residential treatment facility helping run equine and small animal assisted psychotherapy groups. I then joined the military, where I was focused on spending my career as a psychologist helping active duty military and veterans. After two years, I was medically discharged due to some chronic health conditions and had to find a new path. I went to Xavier University for my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am now a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I have experience working with a variety of mental health disorders and life difficulties, especially issues related to relationship concerns, trauma, autism, depression, anxiety, ADHD, career difficulties, improving motivation to live healthier, and coping with stressful life changes. I have worked with individuals aged 5 to 98 in individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy settings. I have completed additional training courses outside of my initial degree in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, couples and family therapy, trauma-focused treatment, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and EMDR. In addition to those treatment modalities, I frequently use CBT, Reality Therapy, and mindfulness techniques to assist clients in building the skills they need to reach their goals.

Hello! I’m David Affolter, I have been helping people most of my adult life. It just seems that has been a major motivation for me. After college and service in the Air Force, I really was confronted with the reality that I needed to choose a direction in life. I made a decision that it had to be something that would bring me lasting satisfaction. I would feel good about myself. I became a high school teacher and coach, and I loved doing that for almost twenty years. I experienced the joy of seeing young people do things they thought they couldn’t ever do. In my teaching, I always seemed to be drawn to the students who seemed like they were struggling to find their way. Students came to me for someone to listen to them and help them find their way. I have the joy today of keeping in touch via social media, and I watching as they grow their own families and follow their own path. After those teaching years and my own daughters moved on to college and adult life, I felt the urge to keep helping people, but I felt moved to go into counseling. With the support of my wife, I completed a graduate/professional degree in Community Counseling at The University of Akron in 1994 and became a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio and am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. It really was a smooth transition, and I have learned that a significant part of counseling is giving people new information and perspectives and helping them decide where they want to go and how to get there. I have continued now for over twenty years in helping people deal with a variety of problems in their lives, and the large majority are able to feel good about themselves and able to move in the direction they choose. I have learned how life has wounded people and how to help them heal from those wounds. I have seen people who thought their lives were over but have learned in therapy how to build new ways of being and living that lead them to new destinations—destinations that many never thought they would arrive at in the beginning. I know when I reflect on my own journey over the past fifty years or so, I am amazed at the variety of things life has brought my way, and the lessons I have learned along the way. It is a very humbling experience watching people gain the courage to change and move forward in ways they never believed they could. If this kind of experience is something that you believe would be helpful to you, then you are in the right place. I can join you on your journey and help you find your way to your new destination—a new way of looking at yourself, a new career path, finding new friends, or finding a new spirituality to give new meaning and purpose to your life. I look forward to assisting you on your journey to your new destination!

Melody is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio. She earned her Master's in Applied Social Science from Case Western Reserve University, and her Bachelor's of Social Work from Cleveland State University. Melody has experience working with children and adults in extreme crisis situations. Her experience includes working with homeless women and families, providing Intensive Dual Diagnosis In-Home Therapy, and running treatment groups in a residential setting for children. In addition to assessing and treating individuals in crisis and trauma, Melody also provides education and support to parents. While utilizing approaches from cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and solution focused therapy, she also provides education regarding symptoms and skills that can help improve daily functioning. Melody relies on her background in social work while providing therapy, by taking a person centered approach. This is made possible by fostering a supportive and empowering environment during the course of treatment.

Hello! My name is Celia Joyce (she/her) and I am a licensed independent social worker (LISW) in the state of Ohio (go Browns!). I received both my bachelors and masters degrees in social work from Ohio University. I have been working as a social worker since 2012, beginning my journey in the community mental health field and continuing in mental health and substance abuse in various settings (outpatient, residential, hospital, community-based and schools). In 2014 I was an Americorps NCCC volunteer and in 2016-2018 I was in the Peace Corps where I lived with an incredible host family for 2 years. I believe these experiences have shaped my practice as a therapist, meeting people from different cultural backgrounds and embracing the differences and similarities between us. My therapeutic approach is more client centered meaning I will work with YOU where YOU are and together we can help get you to where you would like to be. Therapy can feel like a scary thing so I promise to create a safe space for you and your thoughts and feelings. I use evidenced-based techniques including cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Outside of work I have an Ecotherapy certificate, Reiki II certification and enjoy traveling, kayaking, going to yoga classes, concerts and comedy shows.

I am a therapist licensed in Ohio with over 3 years of experience working in community mental health settings and supporting individuals with various levels of needs I have worked with individuals with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, career challenges, OCD, and family relationship issues. I also helped many people who have experienced physical and emotional trauma. My therapy style is non-judgmental and compassion based. I believe everybody deserves respect and acceptance. My approach combines CBT and psychodynamic theory to address your current needs. I would treat working with you with the upmost respect and care, and would support you in a non-judgmental manner no matter what you are going through. I would love to work with you!

Rob Burke is a licensed independent social worker in the state of Ohio with advanced supervisory designation. He has been a practicing social worker in the Cleveland area for 30 years. This experience has allowed him to treat clients in a wide variety of settings -- in the community, dialysis units, hospitals and rehab facilities. Rob believes in a collaborative stance between client and counselor in the therapeutic process and strives to provide the insight, education and resources needed for all clients to achieve their best potential. If this feels like a good fit, I look forward to working with you!

As your therapist, it’s my job to meet you where you’re at. What are you hoping to get out of therapy? As your therapist we will work together towards your goals. Whether you’ve been in therapy for years or this is your first session, we will work together to figure out what will be most beneficial. Therapy sessions can look a variety of ways. Maybe it’s processing a recent trauma, other times identifying and breaking unhealthy patterns. Our sessions will be a safe space where we can learn more coping skills, build a better relationship with yourself and your body, figure out effective tactics for managing stress and anxiety, and explore your identity. I often incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in my work with clients. I work with many clients are coping with histories of complex trauma, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Depression, Anxiety, and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

I am licensed as a clinical social worker in Wyoming , Maine, and Ohio with 6 years of clinical work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem and confidence, bipolar disorder, OCD, and psychotic disorders. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Your treatment plan will be personalized to meet your unique and specific needs. Therapy takes commitment and hard work, and I am excited that you have chosen to start down the path to recovery. I look forward to working together!

I am licensed in Ohio with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, trauma, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!