Adults, Couples, Veterans, Women
English
My background is not a typical one. As a military veteran and leader, I came to this work through service, leadership, and a firsthand understanding of what it means to carry things most people never talk about. That experience shaped everything about how I show up in the room. I am steady. I am direct. And I have a deep respect for the kind of strength it takes to finally ask for help.
I work with adults and couples navigating real, hard things. Trauma. Relationship struggles. Substance use. Anxiety. The pressure of holding everything together when you are running on empty. My style is warm and grounded, but I am not the therapist who just nods. I am engaged. I will ask the questions that matter. I will challenge you when it serves you. And at the same time, I will make sure you feel heard and respected every step of the way.
I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and trauma-informed practices. The goal is never just to help you cope better on the surface. The goal is to help you understand the patterns underneath, build something more solid, and show up as the most honest version of yourself. If you are ready to do the real work, I will meet you where you are. But I will not let you stay stuck.
Trauma and the invisible wounds that do not come with easy explanations
Substance use, addiction, and the work of building a steadier life
Relationship struggles and couples finding their way back to each other
Anxiety, stress, and the exhaustion of trying to keep it all together
Life transitions, especially those that come with loss of identity or purpose
Veterans navigating the unique pressures of life after service
Sandi is not a sit-back-and-observe kind of therapist. She is present, engaged, and genuinely invested in your progress. She will create a space where you can be honest about what is really going on, and she will match that honesty with her own. Clients leave sessions with more than just a sense of being heard. They leave with something to actually work with.
Her background in military service and leadership gives her a rare kind of fluency with people who are used to pushing through. She understands the culture of resilience that can sometimes make it harder to ask for help. She also understands that the same strength that helped you survive is not always the same strength that helps you heal. Together, you will figure out the difference.
Dr. Sandi Bates holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D), a Master of Social Work (MSW), and is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate in Kentucky. Her background spans military service, leadership, and clinical work with adults and couples across a wide range of concerns including trauma, substance use, anxiety, and relationship struggles. She brings a particular depth of understanding to veterans, women, and couples doing the harder relational work of rebuilding trust and connection after difficult experiences.
The first session is a chance for us to get oriented. You share what has been going on. I ask questions. We start to build a picture of what you are carrying and what you are hoping for. You do not need to have it all figured out before you come in. That is what we do together.
If you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like something needs to shift but you are not sure where to start, that is enough reason to try. You do not have to be in crisis. You just have to be willing to be honest about where you are.
That depends on what you are working through. Some people come in with a specific goal and are ready to move on after a few months. Others are working through deeper patterns and choose to stay longer. We will talk about your goals early and keep checking in as we go.
Yes. It is an area I care deeply about. I understand the culture, the language, and the particular challenges that come with life during and after service. You do not have to explain yourself from scratch in this room.
Good. That means we are getting somewhere. You do not have to perform composure in here. Whatever comes up, we work with it.
Me. I came prepared with treats on day one. Some call it bribery. I call it strategy.
Fill out the form below and someone from our team will be in touch within one to two business days.
Look for the brick building with the Tabb Therapy logo on the front glass doors. That’s your sign you’re in the right place! We have a large parking lot right out front, so finding a spot is never a problem. Head up the front steps and walk right in. If you have any trouble locating us, give us a call and we will get you here.
