THE RELATIONSHIP CENTER
Sanae Bean-Smith
She/her/hers
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
TRC Mayfield Village
My Focus Areas
Anxiety, Burnout, Emotional Overwhelm: I support clients experiencing anxiety, burnout and emotional overwhelm, helping you re-center, replenish your energy and reconnect with your sense of self. My goal is to help you “fill your cup” so you can create sustainable, nourishing relationships both within yourself and with others.
Kids & Teens: I love working with kids and teens as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up. Whether it’s handling big emotions, building healthy friendships, or improving communication with family, I create a safe and encouraging space where young people can feel heard and supported. I also incorporate creativity and curiosity into sessions, helping them develop tools for resilience while celebrating their strengths.
Relationships: I take a systemic approach—helping clients understand how their relationships, environments, and personal histories shape their current experiences. I work with people who struggle to engage relationally with partners, friends, family members, or coworkers, guiding them to identify unhelpful patterns and develop more fulfilling, authentic ways of relating.
Life Transitions: I am skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support clients navigating life’s transitional moments. Whether facing career shifts, relationship changes, identity development, or other major milestones, I help individuals understand their thoughts, build effective coping strategies and foster resilience. With a grounded, collaborative approach, I empowers clients to move through periods of uncertainty with clarity, confidence and emotional well-being​​​
Approach
Hello my name is Sanae (suh - nay). As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in helping couples and individuals strengthen their relationships, deepen emotional connections, and build healthier patterns for the future. With advanced training in the Gottman Method, I support couples in repairing disconnection, rebuilding trust, and fostering meaningful, resilient bonds. Through a Solution Focused frame I offer clients the opportunity to make and identify realistic and measurable goals that allow them to grow. My goal is to offer you a safe space where you feel comfortable with exploring your needs and feelings.
I support children, teens and adults who are exploring who they are and who they want to be. This may include questions around values, cultural identity, gender, sexuality, or simply how they fit into the world around them. My approach is affirming, compassionate, and non-judgmental, with the goal of empowering clients to embrace their unique identity and feel confident in their sense of self.
​At the heart of my work is the belief that insight, compassion, and intentional change create the foundation for a more resilient and connected future.
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Experience & Trainings
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development and a certificate in Parent Education. Additionally, I earned my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Akron. During my master's program, I participated in research focused on families affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the cyclical challenges they experience. I have completed Gottman Level I & II to support my work with couples. I worked with families of a variety of backgrounds through intensive home based counseling to strengthen and support kids, families and their relational systems. I have additional training and experience in couples counseling, play therapy, LGBT support & trauma recovery.
Personal Info
I enjoy reading books surrounded by love. When I'm not reading, I often find myself decorating my bookshelves with various book nooks or photos of my three fur babies: Blu, Blaze, and Blitz. Northeast Ohio has a wide array of enjoyable activities throughout the year and I'm excited to share some of my choice local recommendations with you and learn about your favorite spots!
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