Susan Smith, MA, LPC

Susan Smith, MA, LPC, is a dedicated and compassionate therapist with over 19 years of experience helping individuals heal from complex trauma, anxiety, and depression. At The Catalyst Center, Susan integrates evidence-based approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support clients in their journey toward emotional wellness and self-discovery. Her trauma-informed, client-centered approach creates a safe and nurturing space where clients can explore their inner world and develop lasting resilience. Susan is passionate about guiding both adults and children toward greater self-leadership and emotional freedom, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and clarity. Through her integrative and holistic methods, Susan helps clients reconnect with themselves and build a foundation for lasting healing and personal growth.

What Clients can Expect

Clients who seek a therapist who offers steady, compassionate support often feel deeply understood and cared for by Susan. Her calm and grounding presence provides a safe environment where clients can process even the most painful emotions without fear of judgment. Susan meets clients exactly where they are, allowing the healing process to unfold naturally at a pace that feels comfortable. She gently guides clients through their struggles, offering insight and support while empowering them to make meaningful changes. Susan’s warm and empathetic approach encourages clients to explore their inner experiences, fostering a sense of safety and trust that is essential for deep, transformative healing.

Trauma Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy

Susan Smith specializes in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a transformative, evidence-based approach that helps clients heal by understanding and harmonizing their internal world. IFS views the mind as composed of different parts, each with its own emotions, thoughts, and roles. Susan guides clients in connecting with their core Self—a compassionate, calm, and confident inner leader—to better understand and heal wounded parts of themselves. This gentle and empowering process allows clients to release self-criticism, heal emotional pain, and cultivate greater self-compassion and balance. IFS therapy with Susan provides a path toward deeper self-awareness, emotional resilience, and authentic personal growth.

Integrative EMDR for Trauma Healing

Highly skilled in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Susan Smith incorporates this evidence-based approach to help clients process and heal from trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. Susan thoughtfully integrates EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Sand Tray Therapy, offering a deeply personalized and creative approach to healing. This combination allows clients to safely revisit painful memories and reprocess them in a way that reduces their emotional intensity while fostering self-compassion and inner balance. By blending EMDR with these complementary methods, Susan helps clients unlock stuck memories, heal from past wounds, and develop greater emotional resilience. This integrative approach empowers clients to move forward with renewed strength, clarity, and a stronger sense of well-being.

Profound Healing Through Jungian Sand Tray Therapy

Susan offers Jungian Sand Tray Therapy, a creative and depth-oriented approach that allows clients to explore their unconscious mind through symbolic expression. By arranging miniature figures and objects in a sandbox, clients can give shape to thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to express with words. Susan combines Sand Tray Therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR to provide a safe and supportive space for clients to process trauma, navigate emotional challenges, and uncover deeper layers of self-awareness. This integrative approach encourages healing on both conscious and unconscious levels, helping clients access inner wisdom, process difficult experiences, and move toward lasting emotional balance and personal growth.

Supporting Children’s Well-being Through Play Therapy

Passionate about helping children navigate emotional challenges, Susan utilizes Play Therapy, a developmentally appropriate and evidence-based approach designed to support children in expressing their thoughts and emotions. Play Therapy provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can process complex feelings and experiences through play, which is their natural form of communication. Susan skillfully integrates Play Therapy with techniques from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Sand Tray Therapy to help children develop emotional regulation, build resilience, and enhance problem-solving skills. By fostering a trusting relationship and encouraging creative expression, Susan empowers children to process emotions, develop self-confidence, and navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and understanding.