I deeply value communication and being an active listener to my patients. I provide direct feedback on the issues they are working through. It takes a great deal of courage to seek counseling, so I work with my patients to reach their goals.

I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve lasting, realistic, and sustainable changes in their lives. I value a collaborative therapeutic relationship and provide a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment for my clients to explore difficult feelings, emotions, and thoughts.

In my practice I use a variety of cognitive-behavioral techniques; visual guided imagery, Imago intentional dialogue and exercises, Voice Dialogue, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), EMDR, and stress reduction techniques. I provide a safe, comfortable, compassionate, and fun environment.

If you are dealing with overwhelming emotions, especially if you’re someone who has already tried to get help with them and not made the progress you’d hoped for, it’s easy to become convinced that these emotions will always rule the day. Emotional pain is created when we forget our own power, our innate connection to the resources of the Universe. My mission is simply to help you reconnect with your own power by teaching techniques needed to master those overwhelming feelings - to shrink them, reevaluate them, and put them into your past where they belong. What would it feel like if your emotions ceased to control your life? The work we do together will give you the ability to remove the emotional charge from troublesome issues in your life. I act as a guide to your journey of self-discovery. I see myself as a mirror, and my job is to show you who you are, empowering you to make the changes you want to make. The methods that I employ are gentle, effective, and easy for clients to learn and use, and place power squarely in your hands (not in mine). I do a lot of listening in my sessions, but I’ve found that talking stuff out doesn’t get rid of it. Growing in wisdom about how to think about things and make choices can be helpful, but that comes second behind dealing with the problems at their source. I show you how to do this for yourself.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and Maryland. As an eclectic therapist, I draw from multiple therapeutic approaches to create a personalized experience that best supports each client’s unique needs. I believe that no single method works for everyone, so I integrate techniques from various evidence-based modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness practices, and person-centered approaches. My philosophy of helping is rooted in flexibility, collaboration, and respect for each individual’s worldview. I strive to understand your experiences, values, and goals, using different therapeutic tools to support your healing and growth. Whether we are exploring thought patterns, processing emotions, building coping skills, or strengthening relationships, my approach adapts to what works best for you. I have had the privilege of working with individuals across a range of settings, including crisis counseling, family therapy, outpatient therapy, hospitalizations, and with children in the foster care system. I have supported clients facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, mood struggles, conduct issues, and family conflicts. Seeking counseling can feel daunting and vulnerable, but my primary goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you feel heard, accepted, and genuinely cared for. If you're looking for someone who will listen deeply and understand your unique experience, I am here for you. Take that first step, knowing you're not alone. Together, we can begin the journey toward the person you want to become, with all the support and encouragement you deserve.

Clients often describe my approach as gentle, understanding, and non-judgmental. Many clients report life-changing results after only a few EMDR sessions of processing traumatic memories. Has talk-therapy proven unsuccessful for you in the past? My training is in experiential therapy models, including EMDR, bodywork, and psychodrama, which allow us to do go places beyond talking. I specialize working with trauma, attachment issues, grief & loss, and addiction. Trauma, addiction, and loss can disrupt one's life - and often require professional help. Together, we can process the fueling factors of addiction, emotional pain, or relationship issues. I feel very blessed to bear witness to change and transformation in others (and myself!) everyday through my work. While many therapists claim to be 'trauma-informed', my practice is revolves entirely around trauma work. I've been recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress - the highest status in the academy. As the Director of the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy, I am committed to providing quality trauma therapy services in my community. For my full profile and information about my practice, visit the website on the page.

Susan believes that within each indivdual, couple and family are the resources to make change. Through psychotherapy, she helps clients identify and use these resources to grow and change. Susan specializes in sex and internet addictions, alcohol and drug addictions and partners of addicts. She treats addictions with both group and individual therapy using a psychoeducational and cognitive behavioral approach.

Entering therapy can be overwhelming and intimidating. Whether it is your first time or 100th time, reflecting on painful experiences, facing your struggles, and sharing your life story with someone else is extremely difficult. I strive to provide a safe, collaborative, judgment-free environment for individuals to gain support in navigating life's ups and downs. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, validated, and reminded of their strengths, so that they feel empowered to achieve their personal goals. I have been a therapist in the mental health field for over 10 years. I have extensive experience in the treatment of anxiety conditions, mood conditions, trauma-related challenges, personality conditions, and parent-child relational problems. I describe my therapy style as client-centered, strengths-based, and integrative, with a trauma-informed approach. I incorporate many different therapy techniques and evidence-based treatment modalities, with an emphasis on meeting you where you are, and moving along at your pace. I am currently accepting new clients and offering telehealth sessions for individuals 18 years and up. I look forward to meeting you!

These are 6 areas of therapy that I'm passionate about and in which I specialize. I'd love to work with you if: 1) you struggle with anxiety or depression 2) need help with relationships or a betrayal, 3) have experienced something traumatic or suspect you have unresolved trauma 4) are grieving the loss someone or something 5) need help recovering from an addiction, or 6) are going through a crisis of faith or want to grow spiritually. My counseling style is active, engaging and collaborative, using an approach that integrates proven therapeutic concepts and techniques. My graduate degree in Counseling is from Johns Hopkins University. I am a licensed professional counselor in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania, a Nationally-Certified Counselor and a Board Approved Supervisor in Maryland. I am also a member of the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland. My continuing education includes certifications in couples work, trauma and supervision. To make sure we're a good fit for each other, please email me or visit my website to schedule a free phone consultation. From there, we'll meet online on Zoom, which my clients have found to be very convenient and effective. I look forward to speaking with you!

You may feel stuck, lonely, or emotionally exhausted—longing for connection, but unsure how to reach it. Maybe you've tried to fix things on your own, but the same painful patterns keep showing up. You're not alone, and things can get better. I work with individuals and couples who are navigating anxiety, relational struggles, past trauma, and major life transitions. Whether you're dealing with emotional distance in your relationship, the stress of parenting, infertility, or a history that still feels unresolved, I offer a space where you’ll feel seen, supported, and gently challenged. My approach is experiential, collaborative, and deeply respectful. We’ll work together to understand what’s driving the pain, create new ways of relating to yourself and others, and uncover possibilities for growth and healing. Clients often describe our sessions as insightful, emotionally rich, and relieving—a place where real change begins.

I focus my work with individuals and couples to improve connection and secure functioning within relationships. I also work individuals dealing with affair recovery and betrayal trauma. Additionally, a large part of my practice focuses on healing from past traumas. During big life events we all need support, compassion, understanding, and sometimes guidance to return to feeling whole, connected, and allow joy back into our lives. Learning to care for yourself and using evidence based tools to improve your life will be our focus. My hope is to help you heal so you manage life's stressors and feel confident to face the world.

I have several years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, self-confidence, trauma and addictions in a variety of settings. I have an eclectic approach to counseling, I draw from various modalities and techniques in order to provide the best support for my client. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive and accepting environment in which we can explore challenges, gain insight and facilitate positive personal change and growth.