Meet the Staff: Sara Brown and Heather Souther

By Suzanne Morrissey

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so let’s meet the healthcare professionals on Brewster’s counseling and well-being team: Sara Brown, LCMHC (left) and Heather Souther, LCMHC. Sara joined Brewster Academy in 2023 following many years in the private practice setting. Heather joined the team about a year later. Now, this counseling duo helps Brewster meet its goal of a collaborative holistic approach to student learning and wellbeing. Brewster is fortunate to have two incredibly caring, engaged counselors to guide and advise our community in its mental health and well being. Students can make an appointment, stop in, and simply be heard (or simply "be") when they are facing any kind of challenge.

Q. Thanks for doing this interview when you are busy with Mental Health Awareness Month! First, what does “LCHMC” stand for?

Sara: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. 

Q. Very good, thanks! So what drew each of you to mental health counseling as a career field?
 
Heather: Right out of high school I went to college and graduated with a BA in Psychology. During my four years, I volunteered at a local inpatient mental health facility and really enjoyed my work. I later went on to get my Masters in Counseling Psychology while working again at another inpatient mental health center as well working as a substitute teacher at a high school.

Sara: I first became interested in psychology in general during high school. I was fascinated by my Psychology class, and it really sparked my interest in human behavior. That is how we create and nurture relationships, patterns of behavior we follow, and how life experiences shape our perspective of the world. Plus, I feel like I could have really used someone to talk to as I navigated the world of adolescence! 

Q. The office area you have created in the Ac is phenomenal with decor and amenities! How do you want people to feel when they enter that space? 

Sara: The school year before I began working at Brewster, there was a flood in the Ac that allowed for the space to be updated. I took full advantage of having a blank slate in the counseling area. With all the fresh white walls and natural sunlight, I was able to add a lot of different elements to create the feeling I was going for. The use of low lighting (lamps vs. overhead), sound machines, colorful positive affirmation posters, pillows, and blankets provides calming and peaceful vibes. 

Q. And lots of live plants!

Heather: Yes, Sara and I both love our plants! She did a great job decorating before I joined, she deserves the credit there. I had the wonderful opportunity to showcase our office with two events: Beating the Winter Blues and Mental Health Awareness Month whereby I strung up some lights, made some posters, and invited students and faculty to come say hello and enjoy some treats.

Q. Sara, you’ve worked in residential treatment and public schools, as well as home- and office-based settings. Now you’re here in a private school setting. How does Brewster compare to those other workplaces?

Sara: Brewster is probably one of the most unique environments that I’ve worked in. The diversity in the population, the boarding vs. day student components, many different lived experiences, a variety of expertise among the staff/faculty, and the level of collaboration are unmatched. I really enjoy the ability to challenge myself to use my counseling skills in a very different way than I ever have before. 

Q. Heather, can you tell us more about your work background? And what drew you to Brewster?

Heather: I always knew I wanted to work in the counseling field and being in a school has definitely been on my radar for some time. I have been a LCMHC for almost 25 years. I began community mental health and began a private practice 15 years ago.

Q. True! What makes each of you happiest in your work at Brewster?

Sara: Collaboration! After working mostly solo in private practice for many years, it is such a pleasure to be able to gain more insight into situations with the support and guidance of others. Everyone has such a unique experience and background, and I truly appreciate the ability to brainstorm with others. 

Heather: We have so many students from all over the U.S. and the world. I truly LOVE learning about them, their cultures, and their "stories."

Q. What advice do you wish everyone could hear and take into their daily lives to be happier and healthier?

Heather: Practice good self care, put the phone down, connect with others, and get outside! It's ok to ask for help.

Sara: Lead with kindness! 

Q. You seem like a dynamic duo for mental health! It must be nice having a partner in the office. 
Heather: It is never good to be on an island. We each bring our own strengths and experience to the table. 

Sara: Heather is a rockstar in the counseling office! She deeply cares for the students at Brewster and brings a level of compassion and empathy that creates a safe environment for others. She has fantastic skills to support our students and forms really meaningful connections with anyone who enters her office. Plus, she always has candy!

Q. When not working, what do you each like to do for fun/hobbies? 

Heather: I love being with my family. We enjoy hiking, being on any lake, and going to the beach.

Q. Sara, how about you? We’ve heard you have a menagerie at home.

Sara: I love spending time with my daughter, Penny (8) and my son, Howie (6), my dog Tessie, my cat Louis, our two guinea pigs, Peach and Pearl, and our two bunnies, Kali and Maple. For fun, I enjoy camping, paddle boarding, hiking, gardening, and video games! 

Q. Fun question: What do TV shows and movies always get wrong about your field? 

Sara: I will say the thing that shows/movies always get wrong is that people do not lie on a couch during a session! And in movies and shows, they also almost always cross the lines of confidentiality, which is a big no-no in the field!