Cognitive Organics · Brain Support Center
Individual & couples counselingCounseling with Sarah Downes
You hold a lot.
You can set some of it down here.
The overthinking. The same argument again. The feeling that everyone gets a piece of you and there’s not much left. You don’t have to have it all figured out before we talk.
In-person appointments in Ohio · Telehealth in Ohio, New York, & Florida
“I’m functioning.
But I’m exhausted.”
“We love each other.
Why is this so hard?”
“Something needs to change.
I don’t know where to start.”
My approach
A real conversation.
Room for your whole life.
I’m Sarah. I want counseling to be a place where you can be honest about what’s happening—without feeling like you have to make it sound better, worse, or more organized than it is.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and practical. We’ll get curious about the patterns that keep showing up, make space for what you’re feeling, and work toward changes that matter to you.
You’re a whole person, not a list of symptoms. Your relationships, responsibilities, health, and everyday pressures all belong in the conversation. Together, we’ll decide what to focus on and what progress would look like in your life.
A space for you
Individual counseling
You don’t have to wait until everything falls apart.
Maybe anxiety is taking up too much room. Maybe you feel low, stuck, stretched thin, or unsure what comes next. Counseling gives us time to understand what’s going on and explore what could help.
- Make sense of your feelings and the patterns behind them.
- Practice ways to respond to stress and difficult thoughts.
- Find words for your needs and work on boundaries.
- Navigate relationship strain, loss, or life transitions.
- Make decisions with more clarity about what matters to you.
You can bring a specific concern—or start with, “I haven’t felt like myself.”
A space for both of you
Couples counseling
Same argument.
Different Tuesday.
It’s easy to get caught in a pattern where one person pushes, the other pulls away, and neither feels heard. We’ll look at what happens between you and practice having the conversations that keep getting stuck.
- Recognize recurring conflict and what fuels it.
- Express needs in ways your partner can understand.
- Listen with more curiosity and less defensiveness.
- Work through changes in responsibilities or expectations.
- Explore connection, trust, and what each of you wants next.
My goal is to help both partners feel heard and understand the pattern—not decide who wins the argument.
What to expect
You don’t need a polished explanation. We can start where you are.
Tell me what brought you in.
We’ll talk about what’s been happening, what feels difficult, and what you’d like to be different. There’s room for questions, too.
Choose a direction together.
We’ll identify goals that fit your needs. For couples, that includes hearing each partner’s perspective and hopes for the work.
Bring it into everyday life.
We’ll combine reflection with practical steps you can try between sessions, then check in about what helps and what needs adjusting.
A few things you might wonder
Before you book.
Do I need to know exactly what’s wrong?
No. Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unlike yourself is enough to begin a conversation. We can sort through it together.
Do we have to be in a crisis to try couples counseling?
No. You can come in to work on communication, understand a recurring disagreement, or navigate a change together. You don’t have to wait for a breaking point.
Can we meet online?
Telehealth is available in Ohio, New York, and Florida. In-person appointments are available in Ohio. Choose from the options shown when scheduling.
Is counseling the same as LENS Neurofeedback?
They are different services. Counseling centers on conversation, understanding, and practicing changes in your life or relationship. If you’re interested in LENS Neurofeedback, you can learn about it here and discuss your goals with me.
How do I schedule?
The button below takes you to available appointments with me. If you’re booking as a couple and aren’t sure which appointment to select, contact me for scheduling help. Please keep email limited to scheduling questions rather than personal clinical details.