About Me
“Be nice to yourself.
It’s hard to be happy
when someone is
mean to you all the time.”
– Christine Arylo
Hi.I’m Susan.
I help people heal their relationships with themselves.
I’d like to tell you a little about who I work with to help you decide if I would be a good fit for you.
My most successful therapy clients are those who come willing to do the work involved. They understand the power to change lies within them and that I am simply the facilitator; that therapy is a process and I have no magic wand to wave. They appreciate my authenticity and compassion along with my straightforward and down to earth approach.
Most of my clients are adults and adolescents who are having problems in their peer and/or family relationships, they worry about what others think
of them, and may be people pleasers, caretakers, and/or perfectionists. They recognize their unhealthy habits and patterns and are ready to change them.
By learning about boundaries, self-care, assertiveness, and healthy coping skills, their lives become more managable and enjoyable. Deeper work on healing shame and developing self-compassion and self-acceptance, guides them toward self-love and helps end the cycle.
You can learn more about my philosophy and methods here.
A little about me…
On a personal level, I am a “transplant”, to Wilmington, originally from the Chicago area. I’ve lived in small to medium sized towns in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, and the larger city of St. Louis, MO. I appreciate the struggle for authenticity and directness with so many opposing expectations. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, being with friends and family, spending time at the beach, reading, learning, and dancing. I like to show my creative side through DIY crafts and whatever other interesting things I can find to do on Pinterest.
My current passion project is bringing the program and services of Girls In The Know to the Wilmington area. You can read more about GITK here.
About my education and experience…
I began my career, as a helping professional at the Missouri Children’s Division, St. Louis County. During graduate school, I continued to work with children and adolescents who had severe emotional disturbances, providing wrap around services to help them live in the community. My graduate field experience was in a community treatment center, where I worked with adults experiencing mental health issues, and women and child victims of domestic violence.
I completed my Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling at Lindenwood University in 2003. I began private practice in 2004, under supervision for full licensure, and earned full licensure in 2006. I maintained my private practice in St. Louis, MO until my family relocated to Wilmington in 2014, and have since begun private practice again. I maintain Professional Counseling Licenses in the states of North Carolina (#11433) and Missouri (#2004020675).
In private practice, I have worked with adults, children, adolescents, and families of a variety of ideological, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These individuals have allowed me to walk with them on their journies through divorce, parenting difficulties, relationship difficulties, family of origin issues, toxic shame and low self-esteem, perinatal adjustment, and… being human. I have had the privilege of witnessing the amazing transformations of many. I hope you allow me to join you on your journey too.
Hi. I'm Susan
I help people heal their relationships with themselves.
I’d like to tell you a little about who I work with to help you decide if I would be a good fit for you.
My most successful therapy clients are those who come willing to do the work involved. They understand the power to change lies within them and that I am simply the facilitator; that therapy is a process and I have no magic wand to wave. They appreciate my authenticity and compassion along with my straightforward and down to earth approach.
Most of my clients are adults and adolescents who are having problems in their peer and/or family relationships, they worry about what others think of them, and may be people pleasers, caretakers, and/or perfectionists. They recognize their unhealthy habits and patterns and are ready to change them.
By learning about boundaries, self-care, assertiveness, and healthy coping skills, their lives become more managable and enjoyable. Deeper work on healing shame and developing self-compassion and self-acceptance, guides them toward self-love and helps end the cycle.
You can learn more about my philosophy and methods here.
A little about me...
On a personal level, I am a “transplant”, to Wilmington, originally from the Chicago area. I’ve lived in small to medium sized towns in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, and the larger city of St. Louis, MO. I appreciate the struggle for authenticity and directness with so many opposing expectations. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, being with friends and family, spending time at the beach, reading, learning, and dancing. I like to show my creative side through DIY crafts and whatever other interesting things I can find to do on Pinterest.
My current passion project is bringing the program and services of Girls In The Know to the Wilmington area. You can read more about GITK here.
My education and experience...
I began my career, as a helping professional at the Missouri Children’s Division, St. Louis County. During graduate school, I continued to work with children and adolescents who had severe emotional disturbances, providing wrap around services to help them live in the community. My graduate field experience was in a community treatment center, where I worked with adults experiencing mental health issues, and women and child victims of domestic violence.
I completed my Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling at Lindenwood University in 2003. I began private practice in 2004, under supervision for full licensure, and earned full licensure in 2006. I maintained my private practice in St. Louis, MO until my family relocated to Wilmington in 2014, and have since begun private practice again. I maintain Professional Counseling Licenses in the states of North Carolina (#11433) and Missouri (#2004020675).
In private practice, I have worked with adults, children, adolescents, and families of a variety of ideological, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These individuals have allowed me to walk with them on their journies through divorce, parenting difficulties, relationship difficulties, family of origin issues, toxic shame and low self-esteem, perinatal adjustment, and being human. I have had the privilege of witnessing the amazing transformations of many. I hope you allow me to join you on your journey too.