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Content Warning: This episode of Therapists Unchained features a deeply honest and vulnerable conversation regarding severe depression, systemic burnout, and suicidal ideation among mental health professionals.

In this episode of Therapists Unchained, host Sivie Suckerman sits down with Anna Steele, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker who runs a solo private practice in Vail, Arizona. Anna shares her courageous professional evolution from the grinding gears of public mental health to true clinical autonomy, while laying bare the profound personal cost of an industry that frequently denies the humanity of its healers. They speak about navigating profound struggles while working under high-stress institutional systems. She and host Sivie Suckerman discuss the unique challenges, isolation, and barriers that clinicians face when seeking support for their own mental health.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, please know you are not alone and help is available:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7, free, and confidential).
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
Local Resources: Reach out to your local crisis clinic or emergency services.

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Anna Steele, LCSW

I have worked as a mental health professional since 2000. In 2009 I earned my Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from Arizona State University (ASU), and I have worked as a therapist ever since. I have worked as a therapist in public mental health in several settings. These have included residential treatment, community crisis services, and juvenile detention. While working in public mental health I became trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

In 2016 I decided to go into private practice, and I opened Vail Counseling PLLC. The experience in public mental health and my training in EMDR was very valuable in private practice. At the same time I started working with people who wanted even deeper answers and healing than traditional psychotherapies and even EMDR could provide.

In 2021 I was introduced to Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). This treatment intervention taught me how to fully experience all emotions in order to find the deep changing answers that my clients and I were looking for. While learning about ISTDP I also realized that attachment theory helps provide deep healing answers, and so I have taken the time to study and thoroughly understand attachment.

In 2024 I took an intensive training on couples therapy called PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy). PACT has helped richen my understanding of attachment. It has also taught me skills that help deepen relationships and improve attachment.

A principle that I have lived and worked by since the beginning of my career is to be willing to do anything I ask a client to do. As I have learned different therapies I have also done them myself. I support those I work with by being trained and experienced in various skills of psychotherapy, and by being able to understand through my own personal experience. If you are searching for answers that will create meaningful change in your life I look forward to the opportunity to use my experience and training to support you in this journey.

Vail Counseling

This episode was produced and edited by Sivie Suckerman, MA, LMHC, ACS