“My journey to becoming a therapist started on the other side of the room, as a client myself. I remember feeling stuck in so many ways, and needing support from someone who could both support and challenge me.”
About me
I’m Suzy (she/her) and I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist working in Philadelphia and West Chester, PA with The Therapy Group. I specialize in working with young adults, couples, and families. I have a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and my bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Lehigh University.
Before working in private practice, I was a family therapist with Child Guidance Resource Centers. There I worked with adolescents and families in crisis to improve functioning at home, school, and in their community.
The therapeutic relationship is a unique one, to say the least. I do my best to be authentic and open with my clients about who I am, what I believe, and where I myself get stuck. Therapists are people too; we’re messy and contradictory and I want my clients to know that I definitely don’t have all the answers. What qualifies me to practice psychotherapy is my training, my clinical experience, and my continuing education to stay up to date with the latest research and tools.
My approach
I use a non-pathologizing approach that aims to validate each client’s unique experience while helping them gain a better understanding of themselves and their relationships. I work with individuals, couples, and families to explore commitment, heal from conflict, deepen intimacy, and communicate effectively. Using a systemic approach, I draw from multiple modalities such as Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and Structural family therapy to provide treatment that meets each client’s unique needs. My philosophy is that you are the expert in your own experience and it’s my job to walk alongside you as we untangle the complex threads of our internal and external worlds.
My treatment focus includes:
Depression & anxiety
Chronic illness
Conflict resolution or communication issues
Improving relationships between adult children and parents/in-laws
Family transitions
Issues surrounding launching into adulthood
Grief & loss
Identity & life transitions