Sue Magrath

Sue Magrath is a retired mental health professional, spiritual director, and retreat leader. She received her Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University in 1996 and practiced psychotherapy in Phoenix, Arizona for 14 years, primarily as a pastoral counselor. It was through her work with many therapy clients who had suffered sexual abuse during childhood that she became aware of the deep spiritual struggles of survivors. Their stories gave birth to her first book, Healing the Ravaged Soul as well as a novel entitled The Salvation of Poetry, that tells the story of one such survivor and her journey of healing and the power of love and faith to heal those wounds.

Magrath has also worked extensively with clergy in a variety of contexts, including therapy, consultation, and spiritual direction, and counts many clergy as friends, colleagues, and family. This has given her rare insight into the life of clergy while not being clergy herself. These relationships, coupled with her psychological knowledge and experience in the local church, led to her second book, My Burden is Light: A Primer for Clergy Wellness.

Finally, the events of the COVID pandemic inspired her to write her latest book, Love Abides: The Sacrament of Grieving, to offer hope and comfort to everyone who has suffered loss.

Now living in the Pacific Northwest, Magrath enjoys hiking, camping, knitting, and reading. She is active in her local church and keeps herself centered in faith through contemplative prayer.