We recently connected with Saharah Shrout and have shared our conversation below.
Saharah, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I credit my work ethic to both of my parents. I grew up in a working-class family where my dad often held multiple jobs to make sure we were provided for. My mom always seemed so tireless, she made sure we had breakfast before school and dinner as a family every night. She worked full-time and still went the extra mile to ensure my sister and I were cared for. There were years when she drove two hours round trip just to get us to child care before her own workday began.
Despite the sacrifices, I never heard them complain or talk about being tired. They showed up for us every single day and made it look effortless. Even now, in their seventies, they continue to work and show up for both my sister and me, as well as for their grandchildren.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Saharah Shrout, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the state of Texas. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I am the owner of a private practice in Northwest Houston that provides individual therapy, group therapy, and intensive outpatient programs. We also offer concierge in-home therapy, a personalized and immersive treatment approach where our clinicians deliver exposure and response prevention (ERP) and other cognitive-behavioral (CBT) interventions directly in the environments where anxiety, obsessions, or avoidance are most overwhelming.
What I love most about this work is helping people break free from the shame and fear that often come with anxiety and OCD. Getting outside of the traditional office setting and meeting people where they are, both literally and figuratively, brings deep meaning and fulfillment to my life.
I also enjoy training and supervising new clinicians who want to specialize in this field. Unfortunately, there are still far too few therapists trained to treat OCD and related disorders. Research shows it can take individuals an average of 14 to 17 years to access proper care, largely due to the shortage of qualified professionals. Helping bridge that gap is one of the most important and rewarding parts of what I do.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I would say that three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: compassion, persistence, and a commitment to continued learning.
Compassion is the cornerstone of this work. Without it, therapy becomes mechanical and unsustainable. But compassion is not just about how we show up for clients, it is also about how we show up for ourselves. It is easy to burn out in this field if we do not practice what we encourage our clients to do: caring for our own well-being, setting healthy boundaries, and extending self-compassion when we meet our own limits. One of the hardest truths to accept is that we cannot help everyone who seeks our support. Acknowledging that fact requires humility and self-awareness. It pushes us to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, to ask for help through supervision and consultation, and to refer out when we are not the right fit. Doing so is not a failure, it is an act of integrity and respect for the client’s needs.
Persistence has also been critical. Building a career in mental health, whether in private practice or agency work, involves setbacks, challenges, and moments of doubt. There were many times when it felt easier to question whether I was capable of making a difference or whether the obstacles were too great. Persistence helped me keep moving forward, even when progress was slow or uncertain. For those early in their careers, I encourage leaning into persistence, not perfection. Small, consistent steps toward growth will carry you through difficult seasons.
Finally, a commitment to continual learning has shaped the therapist I am today. Research, best practices, and our understanding of mental health are always evolving. Seeking out specialized training, consultation, and supervision has deepened my ability to serve clients effectively, particularly in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders. For new professionals, I cannot stress enough the importance of curiosity. Ask questions, pursue training opportunities, and never assume you have arrived. Every client has something to teach you.
My advice for those early in their journey is this: nurture your compassion, stay persistent when the work feels heavy, and never stop learning. These qualities will not only sustain you but also allow you to grow into the kind of therapist who can create lasting impact.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
This past year has brought significant change for me, both personally and professionally. I would like to say that I remained completely steady and unshaken, but the truth is I have had my share of challenges. My faith and my family have been a constant source of support through it all, reminding me that I am not meant to do this alone, nor would I want to.
In ERP therapy, we encourage clients to lean into uncertainty and take risks. For me, this has meant stepping out in faith, trusting that I am covered by grace even when the path feels unclear. If I can reflect even a small measure of that same grace in my work and in my relationships, despite the growing pains, then I consider that a true blessing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oaththerapy.com
- Instagram: @saharahshrout_lpc
- Facebook: @saharahshrout_lpc
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/saharah-shrout-62675b18/
- Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/oath-therapy-houston
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