Saralyn Ativie, LSCSW

Saralyn Ativie is a Kansas-based licensed social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes. She aims to work with each person respectfully and compassionately. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear goals to make daily life more manageable.

Saralyn uses straightforward conversation to learn what matters most to each person. She treats clients as the expert on their own story and acts as a guide through difficult moments. Her approach blends client-centered listening with motivation to change and tools to alter unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

She also draws on mindfulness practices to help people calm their minds and notice patterns that drive stress and mood problems. Motivational interviewing techniques are used when someone is weighing change, wanting help finding reasons to move forward and staying engaged. Cognitive behavioral ideas are applied to identify and reframe thoughts that keep problems going.

Saralyn has 26 years of professional experience and holds the Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker credential, abbreviated LSCSW. She has worked with people from diverse backgrounds and with concerns linked to work, relationships, and life transitions. Faith and personal values can be part of the conversation when that is helpful to the individual.

In sessions she focuses on small, achievable steps. That can mean practicing new communication habits, building coping strategies for tough days, or clarifying life purpose and self-worth. The work is collaborative and paced to each person's needs.

Approaches and flexible online sessions

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding each person's experience. The therapist follows the client's lead, offers empathy, and helps people clarify their goals and values so they can decide what matters most.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and related behaviors. It uses practical exercises and experiments to test new ways of thinking and acting, which can reduce anxiety and lift mood over time.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention skills to notice thoughts and feelings without immediately reacting. These practices can help reduce stress, improve mood, and make it easier to respond to difficult situations.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try different techniques, and adjust based on what works best for the individual. Clients are invited to give feedback so sessions stay relevant and useful.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for fuller conversations and visual cues, while phone calls need less bandwidth and can fit into busy days. Live chat or text messaging work well for quick check-ins, brief coaching, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to keep therapy consistent around work and family commitments.