Susan uses a collaborative, Humanistic approach, where humor, genuineness, aliveness are shared in the room. She believes that connection between people is instrumental in forming the Self. The child's sense of self is shaped by early family interactions; this self continues to change and can be transformed throughout life. However, patterns of thought and behavior often become fixed, and remain when no longer functioning adaptively for the individual. The relationship between therapist and client is a powerful tool in reshaping the sense of the self and forming new patterns of interacting that yield greater happiness and fulfillment.

• Mindfulness Therapy, with focus on Clear Cognition and Compassionate Behavior informed by her practice in Zen Buddhism
• Acceptance, Commitment with tradition and training in mystical Catholic tradition of Virtues of Faith, Hope, Love and Devotion
• Interactive, interpersonal and intrapersonal relationship focused therapy working toward clarification of unique personal meaning and development of each individual's compassion for self and others
• Relationship intimacy, interdependence and healthy boundaries
• Family Systems that respect each member's stage of life tasks
• Life change challenges and goal clarification
• Crises Intervention, Trauma, Abuse and PTSD
• Bipolar and Mood Disorders
• Anger and Impulse control
• Grief, Loss, Loneliness
• Life Transitions and Life Stages
• Play therapy, Expressive arts for teens and adults
• Puppet Therapy Groups for Traumatized Children

• California Association of Marriage Family Therapists
• Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society

• 12 years clinical experience including private practice, family agency, domestic abuse agency
• 4 years post-graduate training at Family Service Agency of Marin on Child/Adult/Family and domestic Violence Teams
• 16 years Crises Line Therapist for Kaiser and other National Insurance Companies
• Trained therapists in Suicide/Crises Assessment and Intervention and Puppet Therapy
• Developed and lead Therapy Groups for abused and traumatized children.

MA, Saint Mary's College of California, Moraga 1998
BA, University of California, Berkeley, 1980
Post Graduate Internships and Trainings total 11 years
Certified Rosen Method Practitioner
Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
Clinical Experience and Advanced Training at Family Service Agency of Marin