Sarah Neate, M.Ed./Ed.S. (They/She)
Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (RMFTI)
About MeI’m a deeply curious, growth-minded person and therapist on a journey of radical self-acceptance and love. My identity as an AuDHD (autistic and ADHD), neuroqueer, and queer human informs everything I do. I know firsthand the pain of being misunderstood, of trying to fit into systems that weren’t built for you, of carrying shame for simply being the way you are. I also know the power of unmasking, of connecting to joy and pleasure, of recognizing the deep wisdom and goodness of all your parts. My work is deeply relational and rooted in honoring neurodivergence, difference, and complexity.
I believe every person has gifts and attributes that are uniquely and authentically their own. Oppressive systems like ableism, white supremacy, colonialism, heterosexism, classism, and misogyny make the journey toward wholeness more difficult, and I’m committed to walking with you as we navigate those layers together. Whether you're seeking therapy as an individual, a couple, or another relational configuration, my approach is collaborative, gentle, and grounded in authenticity. It would be my joy to support you on your path away from fear, pain, and shame and toward self-acceptance, growth, and delight.
Working with Individual Clients
I specialize in working with neurodivergent adults, highly introspective, existential, or sensitive people, queer and genderqueer folks, and those navigating identity, shame, and unmasking. Here's a little more about who I work best with and where I may not be the right fit.
I want to work with you if...
You are deeply engaged in neurodivergent or neuroqueer identity. You're in the process of unmasking, and the lens of neurodivergence (whether through diagnosis, self-identification, or community) has already begun to feel healing. You're not looking to be convinced that this identity matters. You're living it, exploring it, and want a collaborator who will meet you there with full enthusiasm.
Parts work already resonates with you. You don't need to be an IFS practitioner, but if the idea that every part of you has wisdom, even the ones that cause you pain, lands as deeply true, we will work well together. I'm especially excited to work with clients who have some lived experience with parts work and are ready to go deeper without needing to be sold on the framework first.
You're curious about your body and open to somatic work. You have some relationship with your own physicality, whether it's nascent or well-developed, and you're genuinely curious about bringing the body into the room. I love collaborating with clients who are open to explicit somatic exploration as part of the process.
I may not be the right fit if...
You're looking for tight structure or clear directives. I don't work from a rigid framework or a prescribed path. Sessions are collaborative, exploratory, and responsive to what's alive and sparkly or crunchy and painful for you. If you need a highly structured approach, I may not be your person — and that's genuinely okay.
You're looking for someone to tell you what to do. That's not my role; honestly, it's against the very essence of how I see this work. I don't believe I know better than you what's right for your life. I see myself as an expedition companion: someone with a unique perspective, a different lived experience, and a sense of their own internal compass, walking alongside you. We’re compiling navigational tools and creating a map together.
In our work together, we might explore:
Working with Couples
I love working with couples and intimate partners, including queer, neurodivergent, polyamorous, intercultural, and mixed-neurotype pairings.
I want to work with you if...
You are deeply committed to each other. You believe something real is worth fighting for. Your partner is fundamentally good. You are doing your best. And you are genuinely baffled, even heartbroken, by the pain you keep finding yourselves in.
You want to build something that actually fits. Off-the-rack relationships were never designed for us (especially for ND folks). You're ready to get a little radical, throw out the template, and build something intentional, authentic, and genuinely your own.
You're ready to get political about your relationship. You've already begun (or are genuinely open to) examining how oppressive systems like capitalism, ableism, patriarchy, and constricting gender and social norms have shaped you, your partner, and the dynamic between you. This isn't background context. It's central to the work.
I may not be the right fit if...
You're coming to build a case. If the primary goal is to have a professional confirm who's right and who's wrong, this probably isn't the right space. I’m not interested in a framework of blame. My work isn't about adjudicating conflict; it's about helping two people who love each other understand why they keep hurting each other, and find their way back.
Therapy feels like a final checkpoint. If one or both of you have a foot out the door and this feels like the last chance before dissolution, I'm likely not the right fit. I work best with couples who are genuinely still in it.
In our work together, we'll explore:
A Holistic Approach
I believe healing happens across the whole system—body, mind, heart, gut, and spirit—and in relationship with the natural world around us. My approach is deeply holistic and relational. That means I’m not just interested in symptom relief or surface-level change. I’m attuning to the deeper patterns beneath the pain: the nervous system's wisdom, the internal protectors carrying burdens, the emotional and ancestral histories you hold, and the systems of oppression we all navigate (like ableism, capitalism, white supremacy, and heteropatriarchy).
I don’t separate the spiritual from the psychological. To me, spiritual inquiry can look like deep presence, awe, interconnectedness, ritual, silence, grief, play, or a felt sense of belonging in your own body or to something greater. Whether or not you identify with a particular spiritual tradition, I welcome all the ways you make meaning. We might attend to your sense of purpose, explore mystical or altered states, work with internal archetypes, or find grounding in nature, dreams, creativity, or the unseen.
Especially for neurodivergent and trauma-impacted folks, honoring the whole system is essential. Your sensory life, energetic boundaries, relational patterns, and intuitive knowing are not separate from your healing—they are the terrain. We’ll work together to integrate all of these layers with curiosity and care.
You can contact me directly at 317-207-0269. I look forward to hearing from you!
I believe every person has gifts and attributes that are uniquely and authentically their own. Oppressive systems like ableism, white supremacy, colonialism, heterosexism, classism, and misogyny make the journey toward wholeness more difficult, and I’m committed to walking with you as we navigate those layers together. Whether you're seeking therapy as an individual, a couple, or another relational configuration, my approach is collaborative, gentle, and grounded in authenticity. It would be my joy to support you on your path away from fear, pain, and shame and toward self-acceptance, growth, and delight.
Working with Individual Clients
I specialize in working with neurodivergent adults, highly introspective, existential, or sensitive people, queer and genderqueer folks, and those navigating identity, shame, and unmasking. Here's a little more about who I work best with and where I may not be the right fit.
I want to work with you if...
You are deeply engaged in neurodivergent or neuroqueer identity. You're in the process of unmasking, and the lens of neurodivergence (whether through diagnosis, self-identification, or community) has already begun to feel healing. You're not looking to be convinced that this identity matters. You're living it, exploring it, and want a collaborator who will meet you there with full enthusiasm.
Parts work already resonates with you. You don't need to be an IFS practitioner, but if the idea that every part of you has wisdom, even the ones that cause you pain, lands as deeply true, we will work well together. I'm especially excited to work with clients who have some lived experience with parts work and are ready to go deeper without needing to be sold on the framework first.
You're curious about your body and open to somatic work. You have some relationship with your own physicality, whether it's nascent or well-developed, and you're genuinely curious about bringing the body into the room. I love collaborating with clients who are open to explicit somatic exploration as part of the process.
I may not be the right fit if...
You're looking for tight structure or clear directives. I don't work from a rigid framework or a prescribed path. Sessions are collaborative, exploratory, and responsive to what's alive and sparkly or crunchy and painful for you. If you need a highly structured approach, I may not be your person — and that's genuinely okay.
You're looking for someone to tell you what to do. That's not my role; honestly, it's against the very essence of how I see this work. I don't believe I know better than you what's right for your life. I see myself as an expedition companion: someone with a unique perspective, a different lived experience, and a sense of their own internal compass, walking alongside you. We’re compiling navigational tools and creating a map together.
In our work together, we might explore:
- Unmasking AuDHD autistic or ADHD identity and what it means to stop performing neuroconformity or “normal”
- Healing relational and developmental trauma through a parts-based lens
- Building self-trust, authenticity, and joy
- Finding a felt sense of safety and pleasure in your body
- Grieving unmet needs and creating new possibilities
- Living more fully aligned with your own values, rhythms, and desires
Working with Couples
I love working with couples and intimate partners, including queer, neurodivergent, polyamorous, intercultural, and mixed-neurotype pairings.
I want to work with you if...
You are deeply committed to each other. You believe something real is worth fighting for. Your partner is fundamentally good. You are doing your best. And you are genuinely baffled, even heartbroken, by the pain you keep finding yourselves in.
You want to build something that actually fits. Off-the-rack relationships were never designed for us (especially for ND folks). You're ready to get a little radical, throw out the template, and build something intentional, authentic, and genuinely your own.
You're ready to get political about your relationship. You've already begun (or are genuinely open to) examining how oppressive systems like capitalism, ableism, patriarchy, and constricting gender and social norms have shaped you, your partner, and the dynamic between you. This isn't background context. It's central to the work.
I may not be the right fit if...
You're coming to build a case. If the primary goal is to have a professional confirm who's right and who's wrong, this probably isn't the right space. I’m not interested in a framework of blame. My work isn't about adjudicating conflict; it's about helping two people who love each other understand why they keep hurting each other, and find their way back.
Therapy feels like a final checkpoint. If one or both of you have a foot out the door and this feels like the last chance before dissolution, I'm likely not the right fit. I work best with couples who are genuinely still in it.
In our work together, we'll explore:
- Communication patterns and attachment styles
- Parts dynamics and inner conflicts that shape relational behavior
- Clear, structural tools to use in heated situations
- Co-regulation, conflict repair, and emotional safety
- How neurodivergence impacts intimacy, boundaries, and pacing
- Sexual pleasure, erotic connection, and the unique landscape of desire in your relationship
A Holistic Approach
I believe healing happens across the whole system—body, mind, heart, gut, and spirit—and in relationship with the natural world around us. My approach is deeply holistic and relational. That means I’m not just interested in symptom relief or surface-level change. I’m attuning to the deeper patterns beneath the pain: the nervous system's wisdom, the internal protectors carrying burdens, the emotional and ancestral histories you hold, and the systems of oppression we all navigate (like ableism, capitalism, white supremacy, and heteropatriarchy).
I don’t separate the spiritual from the psychological. To me, spiritual inquiry can look like deep presence, awe, interconnectedness, ritual, silence, grief, play, or a felt sense of belonging in your own body or to something greater. Whether or not you identify with a particular spiritual tradition, I welcome all the ways you make meaning. We might attend to your sense of purpose, explore mystical or altered states, work with internal archetypes, or find grounding in nature, dreams, creativity, or the unseen.
Especially for neurodivergent and trauma-impacted folks, honoring the whole system is essential. Your sensory life, energetic boundaries, relational patterns, and intuitive knowing are not separate from your healing—they are the terrain. We’ll work together to integrate all of these layers with curiosity and care.
You can contact me directly at 317-207-0269. I look forward to hearing from you!
