Tami Childs

It is important to me that I provide you with a comfortable, safe space, where you can say anything without feeling judged; a place where you can cry, yell or swear. It's your time, so you are welcome to speak freely, in whatever vernacular you use at home.

With regard to practice models, I come from a Strengths-Based, Person-in-Environment perspective, with a commitment to Trauma-Informed Care. I see each client as a unique recipe, therefore, no cookie-cutter, one size fit's all approach. I will draw from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and pull in skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), or Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). With addiction issues, my approach is built on Motivational Interviewing (MI) and may include Mindfulness-Based Sobriety (MBS). Both mental health and addictions goals are underwritten with Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT).

As a strong advocate for people of color, I stay informed and continue to train. Person-Centered-Therapy has been helpful when working with people suffering from race-related stress and trauma. I will supplement this with culturally-informed language, concepts, and belief systems and endeavor to stay updated as we all evolve in our learning. My pronouns are she, her, hers, as an Ally, I offer LGBT2SQ+Centered Approaches for individuals and families experiencing issues that are unique to this population.

Near and dear to my heart is Grief Counseling, whether it's preparing for a loss, coping with a loss, or adapting to life, after a loss, I can teach you some things that many people find incredibly helpful and comforting.

For people who need to bring an interpreter, from either the Deaf Service Center (DSC) or another language, I do have experience with providing therapy with an interpreter present. I will require the interpreter to sign a Privacy and Confidentiality contract so that they cannot speak on anything shared in the session. On that subject, please know, I take the protection of your Privacy and Confidentiality as a sacred commitment, and I strictly adhere to all HIPAA laws and regulations.

As to my education, both my Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) (Summa Cum Laude) and my Masters in Social Work (MSW), came from The Ohio State University, and indeed, I am a happily Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). For the past five years, I have worked as a Dual Diagnosis Therapist, which means I treat both Mental Health and Addiction Issues. Like all licensed professionals, I continue to complete Continuing Education units to stay up-to-date on emerging research and intervention skills.

If you or a loved one suffer from addiction, substance dependence, or misuse, I strongly encourage you to approach that addiction, by first working on the underlying mental health issues, and then working on the addiction or substance issues. I provide an integrated approach and understand that 12-step programs are not for everyone. Good news! There are other paths to sobriety, including S.M.A.R.T Recovery, CBT with MAT, and Mindfulness-Based Sobriety.

Whatever the form of self-medication is (alcohol, illicit drugs, porn, gambling, sex, gaming, shopping, eating) understand that addiction is the symptom, not the problem. The problem is a function of mental health. I find working on the underlying mental health issues, tends to organically lead to sobriety. If your family is getting on you about quitting something, and rehab isn't for you, come see me.

About me, while I'm a permanent Ohio resident now, I've lived all over the country, from the Northeast to the Southwest, to the Midwest, and also abroad in both Europe and Southwest Asia. My lifetime experience around the globe fostered an appreciation for different cultures and ethnicities, and I truly feel enriched by diversity in all things. Variety is the spice of life!

As a Desert Storm Veteran, I'm fluent in military culture, so if you are a veteran, we will likely make a great team. My background consists of decades working within the Department of Defense, both as a civilian and in the military in various capacities of great responsibility. My extensive training and experience working with soldiers, veterans, and military families help inform my practice, as Ohio is home to more veterans than almost any other state.

Helping veterans with mental health and addiction issues was the catalyst for me returning to college to become trained as a therapist. Crisis-intervention training and volunteer work at the Suicide Prevention Hotline inspired me to want to help people more intensely than a 20-minute phone call could do. For me, therapy was a calling, more than a choice, and I consider it a sacred responsibility.

This brings me to the hope that I can offer to people who experience chronic pain, or who have experienced an accident that may have changed their life. I know what it is to experience these things and know how to adapt, cope, and even excel, in spite of whatever life throws at us. The brain is a mighty organ, and when you learn what it is capable of and how to wield its power, you can do
incredible things. Without certain knowledge and intention, our brain can master us, in ways that are unhelpful. I can teach you how to master your brain so that whatever the problem is, you will be able to respond to it in the most helpful and effective manner.

If you think we might be a good fit, I hope you prioritize your mental health and make an appointment soon, if not with me, then with somebody else. Choosing a therapist shows you are ready to choose yourself, and that's a step toward feeling better.

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Grief, Relationship Issues, Chronic Stress, Addiction, Anger, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Intimacy Issues, Existential Crisis, Schizoaffective, Occupational Stress & Burn-Out, Communication, and Conflict Resolution.

Insurance Tami Accepts:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Cigna
• Med Mutual