My Thriving Mission
My story is rooted in a vision of holistic healing and personal growth. I have experience treating individuals with trauma, grief, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, LGBTQ concerns, a variety of sexual issues, spiritual/religious conflicts and much more. I have helped hundreds of families communicate more effectively, to parent with more confidence, and work towards intentional interdependence. My mission is to provide a sanctuary where you can explore your inner world, heal from past traumas, and live into your potential. Thrive with Andrea Sussel is guided by my expertise and compassionate care.
MEET THE OWNER
My path to becoming a therapist was not linear. I have always believed in the importance of supporting good health, and earned an undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University in health and physical education. At my mother’s suggestion, I studied at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine to become a registered dental hygienist. Ultimately, the interesting and multifaceted patients I had the privilege to work with, combined with my personal search for meaning, led me to return to graduate school to study social work at Bryn Mawr College. You could say that I went from “dental health to mental health.”
Andrea Sussel
My Story
The youngest of three girls and a 3rd generation Philadelphian, I love the natural world and spent many of my early years on the back of a horse. I moved to Hawaii Island in 2015 after reading Cheryl Strayed’s memoir “Wild.” Her story inspired me to take a risk and leave the Main Line of Philadelphia where I had lived for 55 years to work with young adults in an outdoor behavioral health program, and start a new chapter of my life.
My happy place these days is with friends and family, swimming and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean or hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Music, books, art, Broadway shows and good food light up my world. Travel is an essential part of my life and I’ve been very fortunate to experience Bhutan, Japan, Thailand, Israel, and many other parts of this magical world. In 2019 I appeared in the documentary "Fire and Sand" about sandplay therapy during the 2018 Volcanic eruption here on the Big Island of Hawaii. I’ve also had the honor of co-leading retreats with my gestalt mentor, the late Mariah Fenton Gladis, at the Esalen Institute.
Qualifications and Approach
With a master’s degree in social work and certifications as a gestalt therapist and registered sandplay practitioner, my qualifications are deeply grounded in education and experience. My trauma-informed training incorporates Level 1 & 2 EMDR, ensuring that I address each client's unique needs with sensitivity and care. Sobriety has enhanced my clarity and self-discipline and I believe my clients benefit from my commitment to living a life free of dependence on substances. My work is spiritually informed and holistic, aiming to foster personal growth and healing through a compassionate, individualized experience.