New to Grow
I am Sandtrice D. Russell, LPC, a seasoned mental health professional with over two decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, and diverse populations on their journey toward healing, growth, and emotional wellness. I bring a wealth of clinical knowledge, compassion, and real-world insight to my therapeutic work, offering clients a grounded and supportive space to navigate life’s challenges. Throughout my career, I have worked with clients facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, life transitions, and stress management. My approach is collaborative, client-centered, and focused on empowering individuals to build self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful, sustainable change. I integrate evidence-based practices with a laidback, authentic, and relatable style that helps clients feel comfortable, understood, and supported. I am a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals and am committed to providing affirming, inclusive care that honors each client’s identity and lived experience. I am known for balancing empathy with directness. I encourage accountability, self-reflection, and active participation in the therapeutic process. I believe in meeting clients where they are while also challenging them to grow beyond limiting patterns and move toward a more fulfilling and authentic life.
In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where we will begin building a foundation of trust and understanding. My priority is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and respected as you take this first step in your therapeutic journey. We will start by discussing what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to gain from the process. I will ask questions to better understand your current concerns, history, and any relevant life experiences that may be impacting your emotional well-being. The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of my therapeutic style, ask questions, and explore whether we are a good fit. I take a collaborative and laidback approach, while also being direct and intentional, so clients know what to expect moving forward. We may begin identifying initial goals for therapy and discussing what progress could look like for you. By the end of our first session, we will have a clearer understanding of your needs and begin outlining a direction for our work together, while also allowing space for questions, reflection, and next steps at a pace that feels right for you.
One of my greatest strengths as a counselor is my ability to create an authentic, emotionally safe, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and accepted. I believe therapy works best when clients can show up as their full selves without fear of judgment, which is why I approach counseling with honesty, compassion, and relatability. I am deeply committed to providing affirming and inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ clients and helping individuals navigate trauma, identity concerns, relationship challenges, and life transitions with support and empowerment. My therapeutic style balances empathy with accountability, encouraging clients to not only gain insight into their patterns and experiences but also actively participate in their healing and growth. I also bring a strong combination of clinical expertise, advocacy, and education into my work. Throughout my career, I have worked with diverse populations including adolescents, adults, trauma survivors, Veterans, individuals with severe mental illness, and those navigating substance use challenges. My Reality Therapy foundation allows me to help clients move beyond simply discussing problems and toward creating meaningful behavioral change and self-awareness. Through therapy, speaking, writing, workshops, and podcasting, I strive to empower people through education while helping them uncover their strengths, challenge limiting beliefs, and become more authentic, emotionally healthy versions of themselves.
My ideal clients are individuals and couples who are ready to actively engage in the therapeutic process and committed to doing the work necessary to create meaningful, lasting change. I work best with clients who value honesty, accountability, self-reflection, and personal growth, even when navigating difficult emotions, life transitions, relationship challenges, or ongoing stressors. I provide a therapeutic space that is authentic, supportive, and judgment-free, where clients can show up as their full selves without feeling pressured to be perfect. My approach is grounded in realness, compassion, and direct communication while maintaining a laidback and approachable atmosphere that helps clients feel comfortable, safe, and genuinely connected throughout the therapy process. I am a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals and intentionally create an affirming, inclusive environment where clients feel seen, respected, and validated in their identities and lived experiences. I understand the unique challenges that can arise from societal pressures, discrimination, identity exploration, relationship dynamics, and minority stress, and I strive to provide culturally responsive and affirming care that supports emotional wellness and authenticity. My ideal clients are motivated to grow beyond survival mode and willing to practice the tools, coping strategies, and reflection exercises discussed in therapy outside of sessions. I believe accountability is an important part of healing, and I encourage clients to take ownership of their choices, behaviors, and progress while recognizing that growth is a process, not perfection. I work especially well with clients seeking a therapist who can balance empathy with honesty, provide practical feedback, challenge unhealthy patterns, and create space for genuine conversations. Together, we focus on building healthier relationships, emotional resilience, self-awareness, confidence, and a life that feels more aligned with who they truly are.
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Reality Therapy
I utilize Reality Therapy to help clients increase self-awareness, strengthen personal responsibility, and create meaningful behavioral change by focusing on present choices rather than past circumstances. My therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that individuals have the ability to make more effective decisions that align with their needs, values, and long-term goals. I help clients explore the connection between their thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and relationships while identifying what is currently working and what may be contributing to ongoing distress or dissatisfaction. Using a supportive and nonjudgmental approach, I guide clients in examining how their choices impact their overall wellness, relationships, and quality of life.
Couples Counseling
I help partners strengthen communication, rebuild trust, improve emotional connection, and develop healthier relationship patterns. My therapeutic approach creates a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where both individuals feel heard, respected, and encouraged to openly express their thoughts, emotions, needs, and concerns. In sessions, I help couples identify recurring patterns of conflict, communication barriers, unmet needs, and behavioral dynamics that may be contributing to relationship distress. I work collaboratively with partners to increase understanding, improve conflict resolution skills, and foster healthier ways of responding to one another during challenging situations.
Motivational Interviewing
I utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative, client-centered approach to help individuals explore and strengthen their motivation for change. My therapeutic style focuses on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to openly discuss their challenges, goals, ambivalence, and personal values without fear of criticism or pressure.
Gender-affirming therapy
I provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive therapeutic environment where clients can openly explore and express their gender identity without judgment. My approach is rooted in respect, cultural humility, and the understanding that each individual’s experience with gender is unique and deserving of validation and compassion. In therapy, I support clients in exploring their identity, self-expression, relationships, emotional wellness, and personal goals while recognizing the impact that societal expectations, discrimination, stigma, and minority stress may have on mental health and overall well-being. I work collaboratively with clients to help them build self-awareness, increase self-acceptance, and strengthen confidence in living authentically.