Hi…I’m Suzanne and I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (therapist) with many years (38 years) of experience. I received my M.S. in Counseling Psychology in 1984 and have many years of training and experience as a clinician and as a clinical supervisor. Life can be both very challenging and difficult. Speaking with a counselor brings a nonjudgemental perspective and helps them process the situation. Counseling helps discover the choices we can make and want to make, even when faced with difficult decisions. I learned a long time ago that the relationship between the person and their provider is the most important element in this journey. Whether your journey is to deal with pain, stress or trauma, to heal, to learn about yourself, to find ways to grow and change or so many other important reasons, I want you to know it takes courage to take the first step and decide to seek help. In order to begin this journey of healing and growth, you need to partner with the right person. The relationship with your counselor is called the therapeutic alliance; the foundation for all change and healing. I can assure you that I will combine who I am, my experience and my training to work together with you to create your individualized pathway to change. I have broad experience across the age-span (adults, families, adolescents and children) and with many cultures and lifestyles. In my life and career, I lived many places and worked both civilian in the local community and with the U.S. military both as a DoD provider. I also experienced many decades as a military family member and so I truly understand military life and all that comes with it. My work with many people from all ages with many different backgrounds and cultures, helps me work with you using a person-centered approach. From my work as a LCMHC dating back many years, I’ve worked with many people who have faced oppression & prejudice for simply being who they are. I’m very familiar with issues facing members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. My work as a counselor is and will always be judgement free and unconditional positive regard for the person. I listen, ask questions, and offer you insights so that together we can develop a treatment plan and plan an approach to address your needs. My approach to mental health is both holistic and integrated. Together, we’ll use a person-centered individualized process designed to respond to your needs and develop your plan-of-care. I’ve been trained in many therapy modalities and techniques and will decide with you what can work best for you and your needs, such as CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral); Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Positive Psychology, Reality Therapy, etc.