Sara Tinker, LCSW
Trauma-informed therapy for healing and connection
- Attachment focused support
- DBT skills building
- Trauma informed care
About Sara Tinker
Sara Jane Tinker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Tennessee with more than 25 years of experience supporting people through trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and major life transitions. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful change grows from a steady, trusting therapeutic relationship, and she brings a warm, engaged style that emphasizes respect, dignity, sensitivity, and compassion. Rather than defining people by diagnoses, labels, or past choices, she focuses on strengths, hopes, and practical possibilities for healing and growth.
Her training reflects a wide-ranging interest in the mind-body connection and in research-supported care. She earned graduate degrees in Exercise Physiology and Wellness and later completed her MSW at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Across her career, she has worked in settings that included support for survivors of sexual abuse, community mental health, acute adolescent psychiatric and addiction-related care, and in-home treatment for children and teens, before opening a private practice in 1992.
Sara integrates approaches such as attachment-based therapy, client-centered counseling, DBT skills, and trauma-focused methods including EMDR and Somatic Experiencing (SE). She is also involved with sandtray work and provides support for individuals, families, and couples. Clients often seek her help for concerns such as stress, mood swings, bipolar disorder, grief, communication challenges, chronic pain and illness-related stress, identity concerns, spiritual or church trauma, parenting, blended family dynamics, and the impact of addiction on individuals and families. Alongside her professional background, she understands how complex life experiences can shape wellbeing, and she aims to help clients move toward healthier boundaries, clearer choices, deeper connection, and a life that feels more aligned and authentic.
Her training reflects a wide-ranging interest in the mind-body connection and in research-supported care. She earned graduate degrees in Exercise Physiology and Wellness and later completed her MSW at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Across her career, she has worked in settings that included support for survivors of sexual abuse, community mental health, acute adolescent psychiatric and addiction-related care, and in-home treatment for children and teens, before opening a private practice in 1992.
Sara integrates approaches such as attachment-based therapy, client-centered counseling, DBT skills, and trauma-focused methods including EMDR and Somatic Experiencing (SE). She is also involved with sandtray work and provides support for individuals, families, and couples. Clients often seek her help for concerns such as stress, mood swings, bipolar disorder, grief, communication challenges, chronic pain and illness-related stress, identity concerns, spiritual or church trauma, parenting, blended family dynamics, and the impact of addiction on individuals and families. Alongside her professional background, she understands how complex life experiences can shape wellbeing, and she aims to help clients move toward healthier boundaries, clearer choices, deeper connection, and a life that feels more aligned and authentic.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Sara Tinker have?
Sara Tinker has 26 years of experience providing therapy and counseling support.
Is Sara Tinker a licensed therapist?
Yes. Sara Tinker is a licensed therapist and holds the credential LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). Her license is TN LCSW 1046.
In which languages does Sara Tinker provide therapy?
Sara Tinker provides therapy in English.
Where is Sara Tinker located?
Sara Tinker is located in Tennessee.
How can I work with Sara Tinker as my therapist?
You can work with Sara Tinker through online options that fit different schedules and communication styles, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
Does Sara Tinker work with international clients?
No. Sara Tinker does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Sara Tinker cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors like your location and the therapist’s availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the “Start Therapy” button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the “Start Therapy” button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches That Translate Well to Online Care
Sara Tinker draws from approaches that can be effective in online therapy, especially when clients want both insight and practical tools. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns can shape trust, closeness, and boundaries in adulthood, which can be helpful for relationship concerns, abandonment fears, and recurring conflict. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and a supportive pace, helping clients feel understood while clarifying goals and values. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds concrete skills for navigating intense emotions, building distress tolerance, and improving communication in everyday life.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Sara works collaboratively with each client to identify what feels most helpful, whether the focus is symptom relief, deeper self-understanding, relationship repair, or support through a difficult season. As goals become clearer, the work can be adjusted so sessions stay aligned with the client’s needs and preferences.
Online therapy also makes it easier to access consistent support without adding extra travel time. Clients can choose video calls or phone sessions for real-time conversation, or use live chat and text-based messaging for flexible, in-the-moment reflection between sessions. These options can make it simpler to fit therapy into busy schedules, parenting demands, or times of high stress.