Meet Sarah Straus | Individual and Couples Psychotherapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Straus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I was 45, I had a full-blown midlife crisis. I had pursued an MS in Counseling when I was turning 30 and started my career in student services in higher education. But at 32, life took a sharp turn—my husband, an active-duty Navy engineer, was assigned to northern Italy, and I was pregnant with our first child. Continuing my career wasn’t an option, so I shifted gears to start a family. By the time we returned from Italy, I had two children in tow.

For years, we moved around the world with my husband’s Navy career, finally settling in San Diego in 2018. Then COVID hit. My husband continued working, my kids were doing school from home, and I had a moment of reckoning: I felt completely underutilized. I knew I had more to give. It seemed that everywhere people were suffering and I wanted to be of service.

That’s when I realized I needed to take risks. I started small—seeing if I could use my degree to become a licensed therapist. That led to finishing additional coursework, then taking bigger leaps: stepping into couples therapy, working in drug and alcohol recovery, applying to a doctoral program in Applied Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School’s San Diego campus, then pivoting again into a practicum and internship assessing for autism. Eventually, I opened my own private practice.

I still can’t believe I’ve done all of this. Every step felt overwhelming. Each one required me to leap without knowing where I’d land. If you had met me five years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom drowning in laundry. I could never have imagined landing here—but here I am.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is still in its early stages, but I’ve built a foundation that reflects my passion and experience. Right now, I’m juggling a lot—finishing my doctorate, conducting autism and ADHD assessments in my internship, and teaching in the MFT program at The Chicago School. My private practice is just beginning, but I’m excited about what’s ahead.

What sets me apart is my life experience. I’ve been tested—11 moves in 20 years, starting a family overseas, constantly rebuilding and adapting to change. I know firsthand what it’s like to navigate major life transitions, and that deeply informs my work with clients.

In a short time, I’ve gained a wide range of experience: couples therapy, family work, drug and alcohol recovery, neuro-affirming care, trauma-informed therapy, and group therapy that allowed me to incorporate my background in studio art. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in higher education, which also shaped my perspective on guidance and growth.

This journey hasn’t been easy. There have been moments of doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty. But I’ve learned that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and I try to bring that mindset into my work with clients. I want people to know that my practice is built on real-life experience, resilience, and a deep belief in the power of change.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend comes to town, she has her teens with her, so we are always looking for experiences that are fun for everyone. My goal is to get them outside as much as possible. We’d start with a long walk through the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Botanic Garden, both great spots to explore nature. In the summer, we’d head to Moonlight Beach to boogie board or to La Jolla Cove to watch the sea lions and take in the coastal views. I would take friends hiking at Mission Trails Regional Park and mountain biking at Los Peñasquitos Canyon. For a laid-back evening, we’d grab dinner at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido or watch a movie under the stars at Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero. No trip is complete without gelato! My favorite is Bottega Italiana Gelato, found in the UTC mall—which is also a great place to walk around. For a little art and culture, we’d visit the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. And in the summer, we’d make sure to catch a Shakespeare play at The Old Globe in Balboa Park—that’s my favorite!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a huge shoutout to my husband. I started pursuing this career while he was still on active duty, balancing a high-stress career while also picking up the slack at home. When he finally retired, everything shifted—he became Mr. Mom. It was a huge adjustment for all of us, including the kids.

He learned to cook, became the primary chauffeur, and took over the household and parenting duties so that I could focus on this new career. He made it possible for me to work, go to school, and build this new chapter of my life. I never could have done this without him.

Website: https://straustherapy.com/