Meet Susan

Life’s most important relationship is the one we share with an intimate partner.

Study after study demonstrates that couples in committed relationships, enjoy better health–less vulnerability to heart disease, stroke, and early death. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Those in conflictual or toxic relationships experience poorer health, higher rates of depression, obesity, hypertension, and drug/alcohol abuse. Clearly, building a healthy relationship with our life partner is the essence of our personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of our families.

My practice is devoted to helping couples build strong relationships and healthier lives.

Experience and Education

Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of private practice experience with adults.

Certified Gottman Therapist (Completed all three levels of training)

Additional Gottman Institute advanced trainings:
- Treating Affairs and Trauma
- Couples and Addiction Recovery

Emotion Focused Therapy, Externship, with George Faller, LMFT; and Ryan Rena, PhD
Board-Certified Fellow with the Biofeedback Institute of America
Trained Mental Health Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Provider with Collaborative Law Texas
Extensive training in Critical Incident Stress Management (basic, advanced, group, advanced group, and Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support)
Solution-Focused Intensive Training with Michele Weiner-Davis, LCSW, LMFT
Rational-Emotive-Behavior Therapy Training with Albert Ellis

“Mom-Approved Provider” with Dallas Fort Worth Child Magazine.

Practice Specialty - Relationships

I specialize in working with couples who are committed to repairing and improving their intimate relationships. I welcome adult clients in all stages of relationships whether they are dating, engaged, married, cohabiting, separated, in the process of a divorce, divorced and/or remarried. I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people, regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or sexual orientation.

My Approach

My therapy style is personalized, goal-directed and collaborative. My work is primarily based on the scientifically researched methods of John & Julie Gottman. Additionally, I draw on theories and interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples.

I believe in the fundamental value of our intimate partnerships. I am skilled at helping couples engage in the difficult, yet profound conversations that lead to compassionate understanding and change. I help couples examine their own behavior, the behaviors that enrich their connection to each other and the behaviors that impede their connection to each other. From this work, couples can elevate the quality of their life together to a new level of intimacy and trust.