Sally Heath

Biography

Sally Heath is a dedicated and skilled Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) with more than 25 years of combined practice in various settings (residential, outpatient, hospital and private clinics) across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The greater majority of this time has been spent providing care in rural areas, namely Tribal communities, though includes teaching opportunities in both Russia and Alaska where she assisted with instruction to providers also serving Indigenous populations. She was one of the first “dually-licensed,” clinicians in Washington State, treating both mental health and substance use disorders, at the same time. 

Ms. Heath’s early childhood experiences after moving to the United States, and residing near the Quileute reservation, led to her to a lifelong passion, connection and deep commitment to her ongoing work in Tribal settings.  Early academic study of Ethnographic Research with Coastal Tribal communities at The Evergreen State College subsequently led her to pursue her addictions credential and then later, to completion of her Master of Social Work at the University of Washington. Post graduate training and later credentialing focused on content areas of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT,) Grief, Loss and End of Life as these were experienced within the cultures she served. In more recent years, Ms. Heath pursued additional education in Trauma resolution and began utilizing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) in her clinic practices and learned methodology and the applicable protocols for responding to both critical incidents and ongoing traumatic stress. She now combines the above knowledge when working with individuals and their families across the spectrum of care.  

Sally has worked as a clinician, a clinical supervisor, program manager, and as a director in the field of Behavioral Health. She has provided consulting services and contracted care to many Tribes and agencies in a variety of disciplines and is blessed to have had so many opportunities to become notably familiar with what is needed to support the process of healing. Ms. Heath has been honored and witnessed many individual stories of recovery and change, but more importantly, has observed the direct impact this also has held for family and community. She is a vocal advocate for her clients and values the strong connections and relationships she has built with the Tribes, agencies, and her peers.  She brings boundless energy and dedication in the pursuit of quality of care, to addressing individualized needs, and in promoting autonomy and patient choice. All of which continues to drive her work in Indian Country to this day.