Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheba Andrew-popp, Lcsw
Hi Sheba, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Malaysia, where I came from humble beginnings. I was born into a South Indian Christian home and exposed to diverse cultures and practices, yummy food, language switching, and other eye-opening paradoxes. Since I was a young girl, I have been curious about human potential and the purpose of life amid adversity.
My career started in the financial services industry. I continued working in this field well after moving to the U.S. After 10 years, I quit my finance job for a more fulfilling career aligned with my values and purpose. This was fueled by my own lived experiences and my personal journey of coming to terms with my past trauma. I became inspired to bear witness to others who have not been ‘dealt with good cards’ in childhood.
I kept learning how unprocessed trauma shows up in both physical and mental health issues. I also learned that stuffing down our pain leads to more pain. This eventually led to an endless curiosity about the mind, body, nervous system, and spirit and how these aspects of ourselves can be used for recovery and healing.
In 2014, while working at a large managed healthcare organization, I pursued a certification in addiction counseling. During my internship as a trainee at Camp Pendleton military base, CA, I learned about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy. I saw the positive shifts in those who received this treatment. I had an AHA moment upon realizing the small part I could play in one’s journey by learning and practicing an effective evidenced-based trauma treatment. That is when I decided to become a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma. I completed my Master’s in Social Work with a clinical focus at San Diego State University in 2018. My endless passion for learning also led me to a social work immersion program in Munich, Germany, during my graduate education, where I learned that there are many other approaches to trauma treatment.
Fast forward, I have 10+ years of experience learning manifestations of trauma and treating it. I have worked in various settings throughout my second professional career, including intensive outpatient mental health, the juvenile justice system, school-based counseling, and clinical research at the Veterans Affairs (VA) before establishing my private psychotherapy practice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing up in a poor family surrounded by daily uncertainties and chaos was very difficult, to say the least. From a macro lens, I was a minority in a third-world country where ethnic Indians and Chinese experienced systematic and oppressive practices by the Malaysian government. There was no such thing as ‘freedom of speech’ in Malaysia, which my fellow Americans often take for granted. I survived that and other unfortunate circumstances, and finding my way back to my true self and potential has been a lifelong journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sheba S. Andrew, LCSW. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I offer trauma-focused therapy via video across California state. I primarily utilize EMDR along with other adjunct models to support my client as holistically as possible. Yes, EMDR works online! Most of my work has been with brave individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, sexual assaults, military trauma, workplace bullying, multiple overwhelming and horrific life experiences, and losses.
I am fully certified in the EMDR Therapy model, which means I have specialty experiences and received additional training in treating complex trauma beyond the basic training in EMDR. I have spent significant time studying the connection between the mind, body, and spirit through Interpersonal Neurobiology, Polyvagal Theory, and biofield sciences. Somatic-oriented treatments, attachment-focused therapy, and neuroscience inform my clinical work. I am also trained in a wide range of trauma-related disciplines, such as ego state or parts work rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and hypnosis. I am also fascinated by evidenced-based healing modalities rooted in ancient wisdom, which has been shown to improve overall well-being and health.
I am inspired by the works of Viktor Frankl and Edith Eger, Holocaust survivors and psychologists. I firmly believe that people can go beyond their trauma and are powerful enough to create meaning and purpose in their lives if they want to. My philosophy: However difficult, painful, and entrenched our challenges are, we have within us some degree of personal freedom to make healthy choices. We are not victims of our circumstances unless we decide that for ourselves.
My lived experiences, prior career, work in various settings, and cross-cultural experiences in various contexts have nurtured my flexibility, curiosity, and ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. I practice meditation daily and other adjunct practices, which has helped me to stay grounded and effectively support people in their trauma processing.
My clients often say I am warm, funny, no-nonsense, direct to the point, and I don’t sugarcoat stuff. I am a firm believer that one should not be in therapy forever, and my happiest day is when I see my clients graduate from trauma therapy. So, I strive to address the root cause of one’s pain and suffering, and I don’t shy away from holding my clients accountable. Casually put, this ain’t your mama’s therapy.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing my clients get better, get their power back, and find their life’s meaning and purpose. I am humbled to have witnessed people transform their pain, suffering, and loss into resilience. I get excited to work with people who want to ‘play the hand of their cards’ to change the outcome of their lives. Every once in a while, I would get a text or email from someone I worked with a long time ago about how their lives have changed, and I am so grateful that I was able to play a small part in their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sheba-andrew.clientsecure.me/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shebaandrew
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sheba-s-andrew-certified-emdr-therapist-san-diego-ca/847808
