More Than a Therapist: A Look Inside My Work, My Why, and Who I Help

By Sarah Benitez-Zandi LCSW

When people ask me why I became a therapist, I always have two answers.

There’s the adult version: I truly love holding space for people. I believe in showing up when life feels the most hopeless, and offering a calm presence and a path forward when the world feels too loud or too heavy. And then there’s the version that goes further back—the one rooted in my own story. I became a therapist because I wanted to support others in the ways I wish my brother, friends, and family members had been supported when I was growing up.

Therapy, for me, has always been more than a job. It’s a deeply human connection between two or more people—people who are carrying something too heavy alone, and one who’s trained to help lift some of the weight while walking beside them.

My Approach (and What You Can Expect)

I like to say that I meet people where they are and walk with them to where they want to go. It’s not about fixing or forcing. It’s about getting curious together. When clients work with me, I hope they feel like they can show up exactly as they are—messy, unsure, guarded, exhausted—and still be met with warmth and zero judgment.

Most first sessions aren’t a deep dive into diagnoses or goals. We usually just… talk. I want to hear about what’s important to you, who’s in your world, and what’s brought you in. From there, the path usually starts to unfold naturally.

Who I Work With (And Why It Matters)

I’m especially drawn to working with adults in their 20s to 50s—people who are usually holding it all together, but inside, feel like something is fraying. Many of my clients are high-functioning, thoughtful, and tired. They’re often the ones others depend on—the caregiver, the therapist, the fixer, the parent, the strong friend—and they rarely feel like they have permission to fall apart. Sometimes they don’t even think they deserve support, because “others have it worse.”

Sound familiar?

Whether we’re processing trauma, navigating fertility grief, exploring identity, or untangling relational patterns, one thing stays true: the pain is valid. And it doesn’t have to be carried alone.

The Core of My Work

Over time, my practice has taken shape around three core focus areas:

1. Trauma & Nervous System Regulation

I work with clients living with trauma and C-PTSD—including first responders, therapists, and other professionals in high-impact roles. We focus on regulating the nervous system, setting boundaries, and identifying how trauma shows up in hidden ways (not just the “TV version” of trauma).

2. Relational Wellness & Identity

Whether you’re in a monogamous, queer, or polyamorous relationship—or simply trying to redefine your relationship with yourself—I help you understand your patterns, challenge what no longer serves you, and create connections rooted in honesty and choice.

3. Reproductive & Life Transitions Mental Health

This includes fertility journeys, postpartum challenges, pregnancy loss, and the shifting identity of becoming a parent. These are often invisible griefs, and we give them the space and voice they deserve.

Common “Aha” Moments in Therapy

If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “I thought it was just me,” I could probably fund a national mental health campaign.

Here are a few truths I see over and over:

• Burnout doesn’t have to look dramatic to be real.

• Wanting help doesn’t mean you’re weak.

• You can’t force someone to change—but you can decide how you want to engage with them.

• The “life you were supposed to have” might need grieving, too.

We often start by exploring where your energy is going, what actually matters to you, and how to adjust expectations—yours and others’. This can look like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), boundary work, and nervous system education, all tailored to your lived experience.

The Therapist is Also Human

I’m a therapist, yes—but I’m also a real human. I ground myself with long walks with my dogs, CrossFit, kickboxing, and the kind of blog writing that helps me reflect on the emotional undercurrents I see in the world around me. I make mistakes, I get overwhelmed, and I know how hard it can be to sit with the messy parts of life.

I’m also not the right fit for everyone. If you’re looking for someone who will only nod and smile, I may not be your person. I believe in gently—but directly—challenging narratives that aren’t serving you. Sometimes we all need someone to say the hard things with kindness.

Now what?

If any of this resonates with you, I’d be honored to connect. Whether you’re navigating trauma, burnout, identity shifts, or just wondering if “this is all there is,” you’re not alone. Therapy can help—and it doesn’t have to be scary.

You can reach out through my contact page or email me at referrals.mmhc@gmail.com.

Whether that support comes from me or someone else, please reach out to someone. You bring value to the world; you deserve support too.