Sara Sims, CSW-I

Sara Sims, MSW, CSW-I

Dedicated Support for Children, Teens, and Adults in Northern Nevada

As a compassionate couple, individual, and family therapist in Reno, I provide comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and adults. Deeply rooted in the Northern Nevada community, I grew up in rural Nevada and have called Reno home for the past 20 years. I am dedicated to providing high-quality therapy for individuals and families navigating life’s complex transitions.

I have extensive experience working with a highly diverse client population. In particular, I bring a specialized, foundational background as a forensic social worker, offering expert, non-judgmental support to individuals and families whose lives have been structurally impacted by incarceration or legal involvement.

Therapeutic Approach & Philosophy

I believe that a safe, healing environment begins with an empathic, collaborative relationship. Remaining deeply emotionally present, I adapt my style to the unique individual and relational needs of everyone I sit with. My practice is built on a person-centered, strength-based approach, ensuring you feel fully seen, valued, and empowered as a partner in your own growth.

From a professional perspective, I recognize that meaningful change requires an integrative focus. I look at how motivation, cognition, behavior, and interaction all intersect to shape our lives. Clients appreciate my straightforward, down-to-earth approach combined with an unwavering commitment to utilizing evidence-based modalities.

What to Expect in Sessions with Me

Whether you are navigating individual challenges or working through complex family dynamics, you can expect a transparent, supportive, and active therapeutic process. I work to uncover systemic patterns that may be keeping families stuck, helping communication flow more smoothly between parents, children, and partners.

In our sessions, I focus heavily on identifying existing strengths to build resilience. I offer a steady, grounded presence while introducing practical behavioral skills and insights designed to break stressful cycles, rebuild trust, and foster deeper emotional connection across generations.

Advanced Specializations & Trainings

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Nevada, Reno. As a Clinical Social Work Intern (CSW-I), my postgraduate care is enhanced by intensive team collaboration and advanced training, including:

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Advanced Externship for couples and relational dynamics.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Specialized skills training, including DBT for Adolescents and Families (DBT-A).
  • Reunification Therapy: Supporting families navigating complex transitions and rebuilding vital connections.

Beyond the Therapy Room

When I am not in the office, I am a passionate baseball fan and love cheering on my favorite teams.

Find the Right Connection

Our team at Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates works collaboratively to support the Reno community. While we all have extensive and ongoing training in attachment-based Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, our clinicians provide specialized focus areas to help you find the right fit:

  • Hillary Harris: Find internal safety and peace. Hillary focuses on individual and relationship therapy designed to move you through anxiety and toward a secure sense of self.
  • Maddie Huntley: Navigate life transitions with confidence. Maddie offers specialized therapy for young adults facing family conflict or the challenges of early adulthood.
  • Karen McKinney: Heal from the past. Karen provides compassionate relationship repair for individuals and couples, with a specialized focus on healing from addiction and trauma.
  • Amy Aranda: Find your path back to connection. Amy focuses on helping individuals and couples move past “stuck” patterns to build clarity, balance, and security.
  • Gina Bemis: Supporting adults, teens, children, and couples. Gina blends EFT and EMDR to help clients navigate trauma, grief, and family conflict to find lasting balance.
  • Cornelius Sheehan: Guidance for deep change. As a veteran clinician, Cornelius provides expert care for complex family dynamics and long-term relationship repair, alongside depth-oriented psychotherapy for individuals.

Learn more about our Therapists in Reno.

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