Hi, I'm Suzie
A Licensed Professional Counselor who believes in meeting you exactly where you are, with compassion, understanding, and hope.
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC Supervisor
Why I Chose This Work
I grew up wanting to be a marine biologist, and my love for the ocean never went away. My path to becoming a therapist took a few unexpected turns, but graduate school is where everything began to click. I discovered a passion for hearing people’s stories, helping them make sense of their experiences, and watching them find their footing again.
That journey taught me something I often share with clients: it isn’t always about Plan A. Sometimes it’s about learning to be happy with Plan H. Life doesn’t always take us where we expected—and sometimes the unexpected path leads somewhere meaningful.
My goal is not to “fix” you or tell you who you should be. I’m here to help you better understand yourself, navigate life’s challenges, and move toward a life that feels authentic to you.
I’m especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals. A different way of thinking is not a deficit; it’s part of who you are. Therapy can be a place to understand your unique mind, recognize your strengths, and build a life that works with you, not against you.
You don’t have to navigate life’s journey alone.
Life Outside the Office
I'm grounded by nature, family, and the people I love.
I'm a country girl at heart, raised in rural Lafayette County, Missouri. I've always found peace in nature, whether it's in the woods, an open field, or on the water. There's something about nature that clears your mind and helps you evaluate your life and goals. I graduated from Central Methodist College with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology, and I played collegiate softball and soccer, so staying active is a huge part of my life.
What I Love to Do
- ✓Spending time in the sunshine
- ✓Staring up at the moon and stars
- ✓Time on and in the water
- ✓My pets — walks, runs, and cuddles
- ✓Good movies and binge-watching my favorite shows
- ✓Sunsets and swimming
- ✓Snowboarding
- ✓Riding dirt bikes
- ✓I have a massive sweet tooth 🍪
- ✓Being active, yoga, somatic work, and staying on the move
- ✓Time with my family
- ✓Having fun - that is my core personality trait
My Personal Life
- ✓Mother to a college student, navigating the empty nester phase
- ✓Passionate animal lover with 3 dogs and 2 cats. Three of them were rescued from a troubled encampment near our lake house, and one tiny kitten was found abandoned on the road at less than a week old. I bottle-fed him every three hours for six weeks, and he went everywhere with me!
- ✓Lifelong learner, especially in somatic work and stress resilience
- ✓Believer in the power of rising again, always
My Philosophy
These beliefs guide every session and every conversation we'll have together.
You are already whole
I don't see my role as 'fixing' you. You're not broken. My job is to help you reconnect with the strength, wisdom, and resilience that's already there.
Gentle Guidance
I do believe that change does not happen in your comfort zone, and I love helping people learn how to push past it and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It's about having a steady, supportive presence as you find your own way forward.
True collaboration
This is your journey. I'm here to walk alongside you, not to lead or dictate. We work together, at your pace, toward what matters most to you.
What Makes My Approach Different
I'm direct, but kind and empathetic. I'm solution-focused, but I respect the need to explore and heal from past hurts. I believe in movement and encourage you to build the life you truly want.
I don't believe people are "broken" or that they "need to be better." I believe you have the tools and are amazing just the way you are. My job is to help you tap into your core values and beliefs, encourage healing, and build confidence in who you really are. Because confidence, knowing yourself and being genuinely you, unfiltered, is one of the most powerful things a person can have.
Some things I believe in:
- •Happiness is a verb. We are meant to move.
- •Own all the parts of you. Let go of everything holding you back from being the person you want to be.
- •Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. There is no change without challenge.
- As Viktor Frankl said: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
Experience & Training
17+ Years in the Mental Health Field
I've worked as a QMHP providing in-home behavioral interventions, as an Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Program therapist leading mental health groups, in the foster/adoption system conducting family assessments, and for the past 10 years as an individual, family, and couples counselor in a group practice, including school-based therapy.
Certifications & Training
- EMDR Trained, a specialized approach for processing difficult experiences
- Person-Centered Care & Wellness Planning
- Trauma-Informed Care specialist
- Extensive training in ADHD, Autism, and neurodivergent-affirming care
- CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy
- Training in somatic work, understanding how our bodies hold and process stress