Ryan Sargent BBA, MSEd., LPCC
Ohio License Number E.1901524
About
Life can be hard. The need for decisions is constant. Sometimes stress and overwhelming circumstances present themselves all… at… once…
I came to a major crossroads in life and found the multitude of avenues I tried to make for myself were dead ends. A decade of work and effort resulting in confusion and pain.
* My time in the Army was being forced to end.
* Health was failing.
* Regular 9-5 job was sucking the life out of me and my employment at risk.
* Home life was in turmoil.
* Had to drop out of college – again, though I was so close to graduating after 10 years of trying.
* No available mentorship to serve as a guide, though I knew hundreds of people.
The weight was crushing. I had a mortgage and a family to support; finding a way through was the only option. I felt so alone.
I now jokingly say I went ahead and had my midlife crisis at 29 to get it out of the way. My year in therapy that followed provided the clarity I was always looking for. I had been trying to forge my identity by force to leave my scarring childhood experiences behind, only to come up empty handed and feel directionless.
When my therapist suggested I look into becoming a therapist, I did – and I found what I had been looking for. I first had to figure out who I was and deeply understand my identity, then I could begin pursuing my purpose. We so often do the opposite; pursue hard things and hope we can measure up.
Knowing ourselves first gives us a springboard to courageously commit to nothing less than a calling. This takes a willingness to challenge our own worldview that has been handed to us from our past and to release former duties that no longer serve us, or are tearing us down.
If you, like me, have been pummeled by life’s blows – there’s a place to find solace, healing, instruction, and encouragement. We scarred and searching can become hard enough to move forward and in a bright sadness, make a difference and live differently and courageously. Become equipped, and choose which tools to lay down and leave behind.
I’m Ryan Sargent, a licensed counselor here in Columbus, Ohio. Youngest of five, soft spoken, formerly easily talked over and ignored, accused of being highly sensitive, exposed to violent crime during a formative time, left alone at the beginning of adulthood to find my own way, and recipient of multiple life-altering injuries and conditions.
I tried finding my identity through a myriad of experiences:
* Higher education.
* Serving in the Army for over 12 years.
* Firefighter/EMT for five years.
* Working in corporate offices for 16 years.
* Volunteering at church for over 15 years.
Now, after receiving therapy and completing my education, my only aim is to pass on the hope that therapy can bring.
I’ve come alongside people to guide them through:
* Depressive symptoms.
* Anxiety symptoms.
* Major life changes.
* Disappointment in military experience and transitioning home.
* Work and relationship stress.
* Crisis situations.
* Career choices and job transition.
* Men’s issues.
What appealed most to me about the practice of therapy is the constant learning; that one can become curious about a problem in their life, learn about it, apply skills, and overcome the problem. I have learned several treatment approaches and bring them together in a unique way with each person from which I sit across.
We all hit snags in life no matter how hard we work, or regardless if it’s justified. Sometimes we are just handed broken tools from our families, our friends, or others in our environment. Time for some new tools.
Come in and let’s talk about how your search has left you wandering and wondering if there’s a better way. Let’s begin the journey that could be the beginning of your authentic, fulfilling life. Looking forward to meeting you!
Serving Adults: 18 and beyond.