About Alison Sauer, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor |
Couples Therapist |
Loveland, Ohio
My Journey to This Work
I didn’t take a straight path to becoming a therapist. And I think that’s made me better at what I do.
Before earning my master’s degree in counseling, I was a teacher, a small business owner, and a fitness professional. Each of those roles taught me something essential about working with people.
As a teacher, I learned how to break down complex ideas and adapt my approach to different people — skills I use every single session. As a business owner, I learned resilience and what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. As a fitness professional, I learned that sustainable change happens gradually, with consistency and compassion, not through force or perfectionism.
But my most important teacher has been my own marriage. I’ve been married for over 25 years, and I can tell you honestly that it hasn’t always been easy. I know what it feels like when the person you love most is also the person frustrating you most. I’ve navigated real conflict, worked through hard seasons, learned to repair after hurts, and chosen connection over and over again — even when retreating felt easier.
That lived experience shapes everything I do as a couples therapist. I don’t come to this work with a sense of superiority or judgment. I come with humility, genuine empathy, and a deep respect for how hard it is to show up vulnerably in a relationship.
I have completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my work. I am also trained in Discernment Counseling through the Doherty Relationship Institute, serving couples and individuals in Loveland, Ohio.
What I offer isn’t a formula or a quick fix. It’s a therapeutic relationship built on trust, where you feel seen, heard, and genuinely understood, and where we work together toward your goals and the change you actually want.
Credentials & Verification
License
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), State of Ohio — License #C.2507062 [Verify]
NPI: 1578693867
Education
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Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education — Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
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Master of Arts, Clinical Counseling — Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Training & Certifications
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Completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy — Gottman Institute
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Trained in Discernment Counseling — Doherty Relationship Institute
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Trained in The Doherty Approach to Couples Therapy — Doherty Relationship Institute
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Certified SYMBIS Premarital Counselor (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts)
Memberships & Directories
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Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society)
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Discernment Counseling Directory — Doherty Relationship Institute
Couples Therapy in Loveland, Ohio
Most couples don’t come to therapy because they hate each other — they come because they’re stuck. The same arguments keep cycling, nothing ever fully gets resolved, and somewhere along the way they stopped feeling like a team. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone and you’re not out of options. Couples therapy can help you break the patterns keeping you stuck, rebuild trust and connection, and develop real skills for navigating conflict without damaging your relationship. Using Gottman Method Couples Therapy — a research-based approach backed by over 40 years of science — I work with couples to understand what’s driving their disconnection and create a clear path forward together.
Discernment Counseling in Loveland, Ohio
Discernment Counseling is not couples therapy. It’s a specialized, short-term process designed for couples where one partner is leaning toward saving the marriage and the other isn’t sure they want to try. If you’re in that place — feeling anxious, uncertain, and worried your relationship may be ending — discernment counseling can help you slow down and gain the clarity and confidence you need to make an intentional decision about your future. Together, we explore three possible paths: continuing as-is, moving toward separation, or committing to a genuine effort at reconciliation. This process is typically 1–5 sessions and is designed for couples where at least one person still holds hope for the relationship.
My Approach
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in research. We work together to identify the patterns keeping you stuck and build real skills for communicating and connecting differently. I also believe that in any relationship struggle, both partners have a role to play — not always equal, but each person will have their own areas for growth that ultimately strengthen the relationship as a whole.
I integrate multiple evidence-based approaches including the Gottman Method, The Doherty Approach, and mindfulness practices to create a supportive space where you can be honest, explore difficult emotions, and develop practical tools for change.
Both the Gottman Method and The Doherty Approach are grounded in decades of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail. The Gottman Method brings structured assessment and intervention tools, while The Doherty Approach emphasizes shared responsibility, practical traction between sessions, and engaging both partners from the first moment. I draw from both depending on what will be most helpful for your unique situation.
Colleague Endorsements
Due to ethical guidelines in counseling, I share endorsements from fellow professionals rather than client testimonials.
“I wholeheartedly endorse Alison for any couple looking for support, clarity, and growth in their relationship. Her work in couples counseling and discernment counseling reflects not only strong clinical skill, but also a deep authenticity and passion for helping partners find their way back to each other — or move forward with greater understanding and respect. Alison creates a safe, balanced space where both voices matter and difficult conversations can happen with care.”— Justin Kopronica, MA, LPC
“Alison has a natural ability to help couples slow down, feel understood, and reconnect in meaningful ways. Her approach is compassionate, grounded, and highly effective, especially for couples navigating conflict, communication challenges, or transitions. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to strengthen their relationship.”— Lesley Moore, MA, LPC
“Alison is a tremendous asset to the counseling community. Her life experience and passion for helping others on their journey shine through in every interaction one has with her. She is a great therapist who values her clients deeply.”— Jared Alexander, MA, LPCC
Inclusive, Affirming Practice
I provide LGBTQ+ affirming therapy and welcome all individuals and couples regardless of identity, orientation, or relationship structure. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can show up authentically and work toward the life and relationships you want.
Outside the Office
I believe therapists should be whole people, not just professionals in a vacuum. Outside of my practice, I spend time with my husband, our kids, and our two dogs. I enjoy staying active, experimenting in the kitchen, doing puzzles, reading, playing pickleball and video games, and exploring new ideas through books and podcasts.
These parts of my life remind me what it means to stay curious, make mistakes, laugh at myself, and keep growing. They also remind me that balance isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up for the things and people that matter, even when it’s messy.
Let's Work Together
If you’re considering therapy, you’re already taking a brave step. Whether you're a couple navigating a difficult season, partners preparing for marriage, or an individual hurting in your relationships, I'd be honored to support you.
I offer both in-person sessions at my Loveland, Ohio office and secure Telehealth sessions for clients throughout Ohio. I’m currently accepting new clients and have morning, afternoon, and evening appointments available.
