I bring many years of clinical experience, my personal life experiences, and professional training to my work with clients. I have been a practicing psychotherapist for over 18 years, working with clients from 17-70+ years of age, including individuals, families, couples (including same sex couples), and those from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The common denominator in my work with every client is the depth of my commitment to their healing and personal growth. Together we will define your objectives and goals.
The kinds of problems that each individual brings into therapy are often complicated and not usually neatly categorized. Human beings are complex and though many areas of functioning may be impacted, the source of these often result from a core emotional or psychological injury, or a traumatic event. Sometimes dysfunctional family of origin dynamics have adversely impacted our ability to have healthy, high functioning relationships and we need to learn new skills. For some, therapy can help to improve performance with personal goals. Whatever it is that you are seeking help with, it is well understood that the first step toward changing anything is in identifying the problem. Whatever your objectives my be (even when these are not clearly identified or understood), I am confident that I can help you gain clarity and work towards achieving whatever your goals may be.
Therapy has been described as the "talking" cure and sometimes the very act of talking or sharing of experience and feelings with an experienced professional can help...help in the moment to not feel so alone or crazy, and in the long run, to have the clarity, confidence and self-esteem to create a life by design. Studies have shown that there are two important factors in determining the success of therapy: 1) the client's perception of the therapists skills and knowledge and 2) the relationship, or therapeutic alliance, between therapist and client. I offer you my respect, compassion and acceptance.
I have studied a variety therapy disciplines and blend traditions from the East (mindfulness, insight-oriented therapy) and West (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-CBT), somatic body-mind centered, and psychodynamic approaches to effectively address individual needs and differences. I have successfully worked with: relationships, marital problems, self-esteem, communication skills, healthy boundaries, self-esteem and self-confidence, mood disorders, co-dependency, unresolved traumas, anxiety, changing counter-productive patterns, life transitions including loss of loved ones, divorce, blended families.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Grief, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Codependency, Communication problems, Dependent Personality, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Jealousy, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
CA LMFT 38979
OR LMFT T1186
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Susan Garner. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Susan is an 11/10, MVP therapist and the best therapy experience I have had- especially when it mattered the most. I have attempted various forms of therapy and have worked with a few different therapists in my life, some not-so-good, some just “okay”. Susan changed my view on therapy for the better and sessions with her, quite frankly, have changed/saved my life. I started perusing therapy for what felt like the thousandth time during a period in my life when I was feeling pretty damn low. Bottling in my emotions, putting on a smile where no one knew or suspected anything was “wrong” with me, and breaking down behind closed doors with no one to talk to was not cutting it any longer. I felt like I had the tools to succeed (eat right, exercise, meditate, etc.) and knew what I was supposed to be doing, but still felt like a depressed, although successful on the outside, loser who was never going to make it out of my deep dark cave of my mind. Thanks to my weekly sessions with Susan, her open heart, brilliant mind, and non-judgmental listening and feedback, I’ve felt better and more mentally strong than I have my whole life. Digging deep within yourself to face past traumas, fears, and anxieties can hurt and be terrifyingly scary. Putting in the necessary work to change the wiring in your brain from past traumatic events can be extremely daunting and challenging. With the right therapist, and the grit to never go back to that darker version of yourself, you can be set free from all the anxiety and unnecessary pressure you put on yourself. I’m grateful beyond words for connecting with Susan and for all the hours we’ve spent together getting me to the best version of myself. Thank you, Susan for being not only a wonderful therapist, but also an amazing human-being with such a kind heart to help others when they need someone the most. I appreciate you more than you know!
P.S. If you know you need therapy and make that scary first step to sign up for your first session only to find that you do not connect with your therapist or feel like they are a good fit, DO NOT GIVE UP. Pair yourself up with another therapist and don’t give up until you find someone that works for you. - Advice I would share with my younger self if I could :)
Written on Nov 23, 2023 after therapy with Susan for 1 year and 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and self esteem
She is very smart and professional.
Written on Jul 12, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and intimacy-related issues
I really enjoyed working with Susan for the past 6 months. My first introduction to therapy was during a very difficult time in my life and Susan helped me overcome the mental and emotional challenges I was facing. What I appreciate most about Susan is her solution-oriented approach. She is a great listener and demonstrated a strong ability to connect dots and provide clarity to experiences in my life that I didn't understand. She asks insightful questions and offers solutions that are actually do-able. I am in a much better head space now than when I began and for that I am grateful.
Written on Mar 10, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Susan is really great at listening, making me feel heard and helping me figure out the best way to cope with my problems. I feel like I'm really making progress with her help.
Written on Jan 10, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
Susan has been my therapist in the past six months on a weekly basis and she had a significant positive impact on my life during that period of time. A friend of mine recommended her to me and it turned out to be a perfect match for me. She is simply great both in diagnosing your problems (through perfect questions she asks you) and also in offering great solutions for them. She not only helped me in my daily life problems, but also in a technical disorder I suffered from for a long time. She cares about your health and would get very happy when she sees your progress. I strongly recommend her to everyone.
Written on Jan 07, 2022 after therapy with Susan for 5 months on issues concerning self esteem, anger management, and bipolar disorder
I've been working with Susan Garner for almost a year. She is simply PHENOMENAL. I had back experiences with several counselors prior to Susan so it was really hard for me to trust another counselor again. but I'm really happy I did. She has improved my life drastically and now my other friends are working with her as well. She's so understanding, a perfect listener, gets me so well, ... (the list goes on). So grateful for her. Don't miss out.
Written on Jul 20, 2021 after therapy with Susan for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes