Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Sustaita.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In hindsight, it is honestly not that surprising that I became a therapist. My relationship with mental health began around age 13 and continued throughout adolescence and young adulthood. As far as career aspirations go, counseling was never on my list. Ultimately, I think I got into this profession a bit backwards.
In my early 20s, I faced a series of ongoing health challenges that included debilitating chronic pain, weird symptoms, multiple surgeries, other procedures, and enough doctor’s appointments to qualify for a job. Of course, I am just one of many Americans who have been let down by our healthcare system, and unlike many, I was incredibly fortunate to have access to medical care in the first place. Eventually, I received the correct (several) medical diagnoses and the information I needed to manage the health issues.
Those several years changed me…my personality, my beliefs, my self-image, and even my surroundings. I lost some things and some people I deeply cared about, but I also gained a much clearer understanding of what it means to feel not only seen, but known and cared for. I cannot force people to listen or approach others with curiosity. I only have control over being the kind of person who does, so I try to live in alignment with that.
Those experiences taught me to question assumptions, stay curious, respect nuance, and recognize that people are often carrying far more than what is visible on the surface. In many ways, becoming a therapist feels less like a career I chose and more like the natural outcome of the experiences that shaped me. Time and energy are precious and finite, and I wanted to spend mine doing something I felt was deeply meaningful. With encouragement from others in my circle, especially from my current partner, I decided to pursue my master’s degree in counseling. Those couple of years flew by. Today, I have the privilege of working with individuals navigating complex trauma, dissociative experiences, and/or their own chronic health challenges. I genuinely love what I get to do, and I do not take having the physical ability to work for granted. Given everything that led me here, it would probably be stranger if I had become anything else.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. A significant part of my early adulthood involved a considerable amount of grief related to the time I spent navigating debilitating health issues. That grief showed up in multiple ways, including mourning losses in relationships, changes in my day-to-day functioning, the trust I had in my body, what I had envisioned for my 20s, and aspects of my identity that no longer fit in the same way. That period of grief was formative and deepened my capacity to sit with complexity and uncertainty. These are lessons that shape how I show up in my work as a therapist.
The medical dismissal was a challenge too, and was exhausting. I am incredibly appreciative of the few medical professionals I had from time to time who took the time to listen and help me, they really stood out.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Inner Archive Therapy ?
I provide therapy for fear that has overstayed its welcome.
I am a clinical mental health counselor— an LPC-Associate in Texas, and an LPCC in Colorado. I am currently working on obtaining 3000+ postgraduate hours in Texas to reach full licensure (2000 in Colorado required) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and I practice under the supervision of Bonnie Scott, LPC-S and Dr. Robyn Flores, LMFT-S, ACS.
My boutique solo practice, Inner Archive Therapy, is located in Frisco, Texas. I also offer virtual therapy across Texas and Colorado. Many therapists focus on anxiety and depression, though my work is often centered around experiences that are frequently dismissed or difficult to put into words, including chronic illness/pain, dissociation, complex trauma, institutional betrayal, and religious trauma. Complexity is welcome.
Inner Archive feels genuinely reflective of who I am and how I practice. From the aesthetic to the archival metaphor, I was intentional and hope to communicate curiosity, depth, and that people are more than a diagnosis, a symptom, their struggles, or the worst thing that they’ve been through. My approach is trauma-focused, and I offer EMDR therapy and parts work that is modified for complex trauma and dissociation.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was described as “quiet, weird, creative, and shy.” Maybe that hasn’t changed too much, but now I embrace my “weird.” I was interested in reading fantasy, mysteries, and drawing.
Pricing:
- $110: Standard 55-Minute Session
- $190: 90-Minute EMDR Session
- $260: 120-Minute EMDR Session
- $320: 150-Minute EMDR Session
- $380: 180-Minute EMDR Session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.innerarchivetherapy.com
- Other: https://clientcarehub.sessionshealth.com/request
