Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Underbrink.
Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a third-generation Mexican American, wife, and Mother born and raised in El Paso, Texas. From a young age, I was captivated by people’s stories, especially testimonies of resilience and transformation, and I knew I wanted to help others find healing. At 13, I jokingly called therapists “the couch people,” but even then, I felt a pull toward the work they did.
Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic community, I quickly recognized the deep stigma surrounding mental health. In my culture, and in many parts of society, seeking therapy was often seen as a sign of weakness, a mark of failure, or simply something to be kept private and endured in silence. That cultural clash became my fuel. I was determined to break those barriers and build a bridge between my community and the help they deserved.
I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso, then left my hometown to complete my Master of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington. I immersed myself fully in the field, working in diverse settings including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric hospitals, addiction recovery programs, domestic violence agencies, and battering intervention prevention programs.
After years of hands-on experience, I opened my own private practice, which eventually led me to where I am today. I currently serve as the Clinical Director of Journeys Counseling Ministry, a nonprofit Christian counseling center with a team of licensed Christian therapists who specialize in a wide range of needs and populations.
In addition to providing individual and couples therapy, specializing in trauma, addiction, and spiritual issues, I supervise social workers to achieve the development and standards required to obtain their clinical licensure, and I coach pastors, pastor’s wives, church staff, executives, and leaders. I have spoken in churches, conferences, and leadership seminars, training ministry leaders in soul care to help prevent and heal from burnout.
Throughout my journey the calling has always been clear: to break the silence, and create a space where people can be safe enough to find both healing and hope.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has been anything but smooth. I’ve learned that the crushing, the obstacles, and the resistance were never meant to destroy me, but to refine me, to strengthen my faith, and to prepare me to carry the weight of the calling God placed on my life.
One of my earliest challenges came in breaking barriers as a woman counseling men in battering intervention programs and coaching high-level male leaders. In settings where women’s voices were often underestimated or resisted, I had to learn to be authentic in my identity, not perform my way to acceptance. Be consistent, and just keep showing up everyday.
I’ve also wrestled with the heartbreak of seeing brokenness, not only in people, but in the very systems meant to help them. I’ve witnessed individuals fall through the cracks of a mental health system that is under-resourced and, at times, inaccessible to the ones who need it most. Those moments have fueled my determination to be part of the solution, even when the obstacles seem immovable.
When I opened Journeys Counseling Ministry in Texas, I stepped into another set of challenges. As a woman building and leading an organization, I encountered societal resistance and the ever-present need to prove my credibility. At the same time, breaking barriers between the mental health field and the church—two worlds that have not always understood or trusted each other.
There were seasons when I poured in countless hours, investing every ounce of energy into building Journeys Counseling Ministry, yet saw little immediate fruit. Those moments often brought fear, doubt, and the quiet question in my heart: “Are you sure you want to keep doing this?”
The work itself is deeply rewarding, but it’s not without its weight. Carrying the emotional burdens of clients all day, walking with them through trauma, loss, and pain, can be exhausting. And still, at the end of each day, I return home where my most important ministry awaits: being emotionally present for my husband and children.
Through it all, God has been my strength and my anchor. Without His guidance and sustaining power, I would have crumbled under the pressure. And without my husband’s unwavering support and belief in me, I would not have been able to endure the long nights, the heavy seasons, or the unseen sacrifices.
Looking back, every crushing moment, every barrier broken, every tear shed was worth it. Because I know now God was shaping me for such a time as this.
We’ve been impressed with Journeys Counseling Ministry, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Journeys Counseling Ministry provides professional psychotherapy, coaching, and spiritual direction from a Christian worldview. Our work is interdenominational, serving clients from many different backgrounds, including those who have little or no religious affiliation. We help people move past emotional pain, such as grief, trauma, anxiety, addiction, or relational conflict, and toward abundant life and authentic relationships. As a non-profit we are here to serve the community where they are, so our mission is to never turn anyone away for financial reasons.
At Journeys Counseling Ministry, we offer something rare, a place where the whole family system can find care under one roof. With a large team of therapists, each specializing in different areas, we can meet a wide range of needs—from children, teens, adults to couples, families, and individuals. We witness and experience a generational pipeline of healing.
We are all committed followers of Christ who aren’t afraid to bring faith into the counseling room. Yet, we’ve also created an environment where those with no religious background feel completely comfortable, respected, and truly seen—no matter our differences in spiritual beliefs. Every person who walks through our doors receives the best of us, and we don’t stop until our people leave transformed.
We are proud of the trust we’ve built, not just in our local community, but also among churches throughout the DFW area. Pastors and church leaders know they can confidently refer their people to us without fear of a “bad counseling story.” Instead, they see the beauty of our approach: making the spiritual practical, and the practical spiritual. We’ve had the privilege of seeing countless pastors and ministers experience personal healing that allowed them to stay in ministry longer, lead in a healthier way, and serve their people with renewed strength. Knowing that our work has preserved callings, restored leaders, and impacted entire congregations—that’s what fills us with the most gratitude and pride.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are rooted in the joy and richness of my Hispanic heritage. Sundays and holidays meant gathering with my big extended family—laughter filling the air, crazy uncles, stories of the past being told, and our culture celebrated with pride. We would share about the sacrifices my ancestors made, the journeys they took, and how those moments in history led us to where we were, sitting together in that moment.
I also treasure the countless hours spent in the kitchen with my mom. From a young age, she let me help—never making me feel like I was in the way—and patiently taught me how to cook. Those lessons have stayed with me. Now, when I cook for my own family, I make many of the same dishes she taught me. It’s a way my kids get a piece of her at our dinner table most nights (and yes, Mexican food is a staple in our house—sorry, not sorry).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahunderbrink.com
- Instagram: @sarah.underbrink
- Other: https://www.journeyscounseling.com/locations/north-dallas
