Sarah Santiago

Licensed Master Social Worker|Clinically Supervised

My passion for becoming a therapist comes from my lived experience. Growing up in East Harlem as a Latina, I learned early what it meant to be shaped by culture, family expectations, and community norms. Mental health wasn’t something we talked about—it was often labeled as “just how someone is,” even when struggles went unspoken or unsupported. As I got older and began studying social work, I started to understand how much mental health had always been present in my family, just not named or addressed. Becoming a single mother at a young age further showed me that no one truly does life alone. While I was grateful for family and friends, I also learned how powerful community resources, mentors, teachers, and counselors can be during major life transitions. Those experiences inspired me to become a therapist—to be the kind of support I once needed, and to help others feel seen, understood, and guided as they navigate real life, relationships, and emotional growth.