Meet Dr. Sasha Faust

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Sasha Faust. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Sasha below.

Dr. Sasha, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

First, thank you—truly—for the invitation to share a piece of my story. If even one person reading this feels less alone or more hopeful, then it’s all worth it.

As a licensed clinical psychologist and spiritual healer, I spend my days holding space for others in their most tender moments. I work with what I call alchemists … clients who turn pain into wisdom and resilience into strength. But what you might not guess is that I, too, have had to alchemize!

I am a survivor of complex trauma—prolonged emotional, psychological, and relational abuse that began in childhood and echoed into adulthood. Unlike a single-incident trauma, complex trauma develops over time in unsafe or unpredictable environments, often involving the very people who were supposed to protect you.

Though widely supported by research, complex trauma is not yet formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (the handbook mental health professionals use). That absence can leave survivors feeling unseen or misdiagnosed. But please understand: just because something isn’t in a book yet doesn’t mean it isn’t real. The body knows. And the soul bears witness.

So—how did I persist? I kept going. I kept choosing myself. I refused to let pain write the ending. I stepped toward healing—even when it absolutely *terrified* me. I rebelled against the silence and the shame that tried to cage me. I honored the little girl who once dreamed of living by the ocean in California, where joy wasn’t just a fantasy—but a steady and reliable thing.

Choosing myself never meant doing it alone. Because no one can! Healing can come through therapy. Reiki. Breathwork. Journaling. Movement. Ritual. Psychedelic-assisted therapy. Laughter. Community. Tears.

Every time I cared for myself—especially when it would’ve been easier not to—I cast a vote out for my future. A signal to the Universe that said: “She’s choosing herself again. We are safe to rise.”

So, —let this be a reminder: Healing is not for the chosen few. It belongs to YOU, too!! You are already worthy. Already whole. Already ENOUGH! You are allowed to take up S P A C E !! And? You’re allowed to rise.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Hi! I am the founder of Enchanted Mind, a private practice healing sanctuary where psychology meets mysticism. I’m a licensed clinical psychologist, psychic medium, reiki energy healer, and now—an author. (: My work aspires to bridge the clinical and the celestial.

At Enchanted Mind, I specialize in trauma, grief integration, spiritual awakenings, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. I believe healing can be both scientific AND sacred. We can honor both research and intuition.

The most recent chapter in my work has been the release of my debut book, Waking Up—a poetic, raw, spiritually-rooted memoir about grief, love after death, divine reconnection, and soul evolution. Publishing this book has been an absolute dream come true and full circle moment for me! I still have trouble understanding that it is real.

In addition to therapy and writing, I can also guide others through workshops, spiritual mentorship, and group healing events.

My brand is built around the idea that healing is not linear—but it IS possible! It absolutely CAN be your reality. We are not broken—we are remembering. Your softness, your sensitivity, your story—these are all your superpowers! You are here for a reason, many, in fact! And? Good thing you are never in this alone!

I’m so grateful to do this work!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I believe the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:

1. Unconditional love for myself
2. Unshakable belief in the divine unfolding of my path
3. Steadfast commitment to me and my wildest dreams

Each of these qualities have the potential to became a roadmap—especially in moments when the path is uncertain, lonely, and unclear. The truth is, your perspective DOES shape your reality. The world around you reflects the world within you. And the most radical act you can commit to is believing—DEEPLY—in yourself.

You are magic. You being alive? THAT is the proof.

So to anyone early in their journey, hear this: Welcome. It’s okay if you’re terrified. It’s okay if you do not know the next step.Let yourself be here. You make sense. You are not broken. You are not too late.

My advice? Do not go it alone. Stay connected—to people, to purpose, to whatever helps you remember who you are.
Root yourself in community. Reach out. Find what lights your soul up and let it lead toward the next step forward.

And remember: rest is part of progress. Healing is part of the work. Patience is a kind of discipline. Be your BIGGEST fan. Speak to yourself with reverence. Protect your light like it’s sacred—because it IS.

If you are still here, there is a REASON. Your presence has touched more lives than you know. Your presence MATTERS.
So keep choosing yourself. Keep choosing the good. Keep choosing the dream. You’ve GOT THIS! And I am so, so proud of you.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

I love this question. Because it demands an honest answer. And I choose to answer it because I believe that normalizing struggle is essential.

Right now? I am deeply and truly happy in my life. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where I am. I’m surrounded by an extraordinary group of people. I live by the beach in California with two of the best little soul companions—my cat, Cali the Calico Californian Cat, and my pup, Lovie. Life is good. And still … because life is life—I can still struggle! Shocking, I know!

That’s the … “interesting” thing about being human. You can have EVERY *reason* to feel joy, … but until you face your shadows, you may just always feel like something is lingering just beyond reach. For me, the biggest challenge is continually pushing past the noise of fear and choosing myself. Again. And again. And again. And … again.

Because we DESERVE to choose ourselves!! Because THAT is where our power lives. Where the magic lives.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Annaliesa Cemo

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