Caring Locally & Caring From Afar…
This is a space where you can receive informed, safe, compassionate and unconditional support from Dr. Sarah Sue, whether in an office office, a virtual office session (telemedicine), classroom setting, or on a “healing hike” in nature.
*Although Dr. Sarah Sue holds a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA, she is currently not practicing as a licensed naturopathic doctor. Therefore, any care received from Dr. Sarah Sue is not intended as a substitute for the care of a licensed healthcare professional.
*Dr. Sarah Sue currently resides in magical Black Hills (“Paha Sapa” of the Lakota Oyate), in Spearfish, SD.
*Accepting new clients in South Dakota. Don’t live near Spearfish? Not a problem, as telemedicine / virtual office visits are offered.
*Coming soon… a healing space for in-person sessions in Spearfish, SD.
Naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine is unique as it approaches medicine & healing in a holistic way. We remove obstacles to cure, address root-causes of illness, treating the whole, rather than the parts, stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal (the Vis), remember and return to the natural conditions that we need, as humans, for health & healing. Naturopathic medicine is founded in nature, science and clinical experience. It is a medicine of lifestyle and wellness on all levels ~ physical, mental, emotional, energetic, spiritual, environmental, occupational, and communal.
Very similar to functional medicine, naturopathy is a great holistic alternative for addressing many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease; digestive health and the gut-brain connection; women’s health and endocrine imbalances (thyroid, cortisol, melatonin & sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone); chronic illness such as diabetes, autoimmune conditions, asthma, allergies; the downstream mental health struggles such as stress, anxiety and overwhelm from major life stressors, chronic illness and pain, neurodivergence and grief.
In my experience, it is not so much the conditions that claim the expertise, but the process with the patients. Each approach, treatment plan and relationship is unique to the person whom I work with. The medicine is intelligent, participatory, respectful, compassionate, enlightening and takes into consideration the whole being, rather than just the health issue at hand.
Other roles, services & tools -
Healing Guide ~ for anyone seeking guidance in their physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health & well being
Health & Wellness Coaching
Healing Facilitator
Somatic Medicine & Dance
Chakras
Nutritional Guidance
Herbal Medicine
Ancestral Trauma ~ *Family & Systemic Constellation Therapy
Homeopathy
Mind-Body Medicine
Biofeedback
Energy work
Soul Work
Emotional Intelligence tools & integration
Ceremony & Rites of Passage
Teaching & Training
Guided Herb Walks & Outings
Medicine Education ~ herbs, supplements and vitamins, as well as the knowledge of pharmaceuticals
“Medical Translator” of Conventional / Western Medicine into “accessible, easy-to-digest explanations”
Decision Making support ~ there are often forks in the road on this journey of healing
Herbal Wildcrafting & Medicine Making
Birthing Work - birth classes, doula services, post-partum care and support
More on…
Medicine Education (supplement, pharmaceuticals and other medicines) ~ Ever heard, “talk to your doctor before beginning… xyz.” How many doctors have you met that were informed and educated in anything beyond Big Pharma? Look no further. In these sessions, we can review safe and therapeutic dosing guidance, education on actions and side effects, drug-herb interactions, quality assessment, guidance to safe, sustainable and effective medicines. Are you wanting to fully get informed on safety, efficacy and therapeutic benefit of a new medicine you have heard of, or have recently been prescribed? This includes all forms of medicines ~ supplements, herbs and pharmaceutical. Get informed by someone who has studied and learned about them all.
Herbal Medicine - Herbs are my passion. They are my friends. I hang out with them in my free time. I speak to them, sit with them, listen, learn and love them. I am inspired to share this passion, and all the medicine it provides, with my clients, students and attendees of classes and plant medicine walks. This can look like a personally formulated herbal tincture or flower essence blend, creative incorporation of medicine (food and herbs) into meals, taking a “healing hike” with me, education on herbal medicine gathering and processing one’s own medicine, to teaching about the higher realms of plant medicines through stories, folklore, plant spirits, and flower essences.
Mind-Body Medicine, Soul Work, Ancestral Trauma & Healing Facilitator - Often, the biggest obstacles to cure lie on the mental, emotional and spiritual realms, as well as along the family lineage. These services are "root cause" medicine. It is important to be able to connect with oneself, have awareness and tools to calm down the nervous system, connect to soul / spirit, heal from past and generational trauma, develop skills to resource yourself, deeply listen and connect to oneself, and reclaim agency & power in your life.
Decision Making ~ For those who have big choices to make, have a hard time making a decision, and feel seized in ability to make that decision. Will listen, ask, reflect, guide & share tools to get out of the head and into the heart of the matter.
Stage of Life Support - “Doula” in ancient Greek means “one who serves.” Today, it is meant for someone who serves during the birthing process ~ prenatal, labor, postpartum. It also includes those who serve in the wake of loss ~ abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. It also is a term for those who serve in the final passage, as a death doula. All of these processes are significant rites of passage, where doulas are there to serve. I serve those in the prenatal stage, labor, postpartum as well as in the wake of grief and loss.
I teach birthing classes to help prepare birthing bodies for the rite of passage into parenthood, focusing on the birthing process as well as postpartum care and early parenthood wisdom and lessons.
Contact me here if you are interested in attending my birthing classes.
"Sarah Sue is an incredible healer, teacher, and guide to connecting soul, mind and body. This was very clear in how she taught her birthing class series which helped me as a first time mom and trauma survivor to feel safe, calm, and prepared for the arrival of my daughter. The information was invaluable. The way it was shared helped me and my partner to trust ourselves and receive the guidance we needed to build our foundation as parents.
I am extremely grateful to have had this experience attending her birthing classes and having her as my doula, and would highly recommend Sarah Sue to anyone seeking a doula and/or the birthing class she teaches."
JW, Seattle, WA
Teaching and Education Engagements (AKA workshops)
Online or in person - view my upcoming events here or contact me to plan your own workshop with Dr. Sarah Sue
testimonial
“Dr. Sarah Sue has many tremendous healing gifts and she brings them all to the table in creative and special ways. She helps you heal the imbalances and gives you tools for building foundations for long lasting, sustainable well-being and connection to the mind, body, and spirit.”
“Dr. Sarah Sue embodies holistic medicine like nothing I've ever encountered before. Like the medicine wheel, she brings in many elements. Not only is she brilliant with the scientific research lens, she has a way of bringing western medicine tools and diagnostics into a unique melding with herbs, homeopathy and other traditional wisdoms. She has the nurturing capacity to hold the body and the spirit in a safe zone where healing happens - where room is created for healing to happen. Dr. Sarah Sue has many tremendous healing gifts and she brings them all to the table in creative and special ways. She helps you heal the imbalances and gives you tools for building foundations for long lasting, sustainable well-being and connection to the mind, body, and spirit. Her practice truly is a healing journey home to one self. Thank you Dr. Sarah Sue!”
BE, Santa Fe, NM
heal your body, mind and soul
frequently asked questions
Do you take insurance?
Dr. Sarah Sue is not contracted with any health insurance providers. You may use HSA to pay for services.
Do you offer discounts?
Discounts provided for medical services, including:
Students
Veterans
Earth Stewards (those working in professions, organization, nonprofits to protect and support the earth)
*It is your responsibility to communicate if you fall into one of these categories, as well as providing proof or documentation.
*Economic Hardship - If you have a strong desire to work with me, but do not feel like you can afford it, please reach out, voice your interest and inquire about the economic hardship policy.
How long will our sessions last?
Discovery Call - 15-20 minutes
Meet Dr. Sarah Sue, in person or over the phone, to get your questions answered, receive clarifications about services provided, “feel it out” if it is a good fit, explore teaching opportunities, etc. Taking one on as your healing guide is no small thing. You get to interview me before you decide :)
First Visit / Session - 60-90 minutes
An important part of this visit & time is establishing the therapeutic relationship, giving you a chance to tell your story, be heard, get the information needed to navigate your health care, get questions answered & incorporate therapeutics into the session.
Following Visits / Sessions - 60 minutes
Depending on complexity, what needs attention & focus, client’s goals and therapeutics incorporated in during the visit.
Bodywork sessions - 60 minutes
Bodywork may include craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, lymphatic drainage, chakra balancing, and / or nervous system balancing.
How does an ND practice medicine different from a conventional doctor (MD)?
Naturopathic Doctors (ND) are trained as holistic primary care physicians with a unique skill set and philosophy. As NDs, our goal is to help individuals heal from illness, whether acute or chronic, and no matter how minor or severe. We understand that the body has complex and intelligent systems in place to return to wellness. Sometimes, there are obstacles to these processes.
Our job as physicians is to stimulate healing in the most gentle and effective way possible, by incorporating the combined medicinal knowledge of our ancestors, scientific discovery, clinical experience and commitment to continuing training and education.
Naturopathic Doctors have an expansive therapeutic tool box, unlike that of any other medical professional. This large field of medical and therapeutic expertise means we have the right tools at our disposal for every individual with whom we work.