Licensed to practice in Florida and accepts 31 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(she/her)
Hi, I’m Susan, a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Empowered Bridges Counseling. I help adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or affected by past experiences reconnect with themselves and feel more at ease in their lives. My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative, creating a space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported as we work toward meaningful change together.
Our first session is a chance for us to get to know one another and begin creating a space where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what has been feeling difficult, and what you hope will be different—but you won’t be expected to share anything before you’re ready. I’ll ask some questions about your current concerns, important life experiences, relationships, strengths, and the ways you have been coping. We’ll also discuss what you would like to work toward and explore the therapeutic approaches that may feel most helpful for you. There is no pressure to have everything figured out or to tell your whole story in one session. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable, and you’re always welcome to ask questions or let me know what you need. By the end of our time together, my hope is that you’ll have a clearer sense of what working together may look like and feel reassured that you don’t have to navigate everything alone.
I bring warmth, curiosity, compassion, and a genuine belief that you are more than the struggles that brought you to therapy. My style is down-to-earth and conversational—you won’t find me sitting silently, nodding, and leaving you to figure everything out on your own. I’m engaged in the process, offer honest feedback, and work alongside you to help make sense of what you’re experiencing. I also understand that insight alone does not always create change. Sometimes you know exactly why you feel the way you do, but your body and nervous system haven’t gotten the message that you’re safe. I use approaches such as EMDR, somatic therapy, parts work, and practical coping tools to help you move beyond simply talking about what happened and begin experiencing meaningful change. I’m especially mindful of creating a space where you do not have to perform, minimize your feelings, or have the “right” words. We can make room for difficult emotions while also allowing space for humor, hope, and the parts of you that may have been overlooked. I’ll meet you where you are, honor your pace, and help you reconnect with your own strengths, voice, and sense of self.
My ideal client is someone who may feel overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally stuck, or disconnected from themselves and is ready to begin understanding the deeper patterns beneath their stress, trauma, or relationship struggles. I am especially passionate about working with adults who are navigating trauma, anxiety, life transitions, attachment wounds, grief, emotional overwhelm, low self-worth, or difficulty feeling safe in their own body. Many of the clients I work well with are high-functioning on the outside but internally feel exhausted, dysregulated, or unsure how to quiet their mind and nervous system. They may want to better understand their emotions, heal from past experiences, improve relationships, build healthier boundaries, and feel more empowered in their daily life. I am best positioned to support clients who are open to self-reflection and interested in therapy that goes beyond simply talking about the problem. My approach integrates trauma-informed care, EMDR, somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, CBT, and parts work to help clients move toward healing, clarity, and lasting change at a pace that feels safe and collaborative.
Cash - $100 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Ambetter Health
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
Florida Blue
Florida Blue - Medicare
GTEB
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Medicare
Tufts Health/Cigna
Have you ever wondered why you can understand that something is over, yet part of you still reacts as if it’s happening now? That’s where EMDR can help. EMDR is a different way of working through painful experiences that may still feel “stuck.” Rather than requiring you to retell every detail, we gently focus on the memories, emotions, beliefs, or body sensations that continue to affect you while using guided eye movements or other back-and-forth stimulation. This helps your brain and body process the experience in a new way. You won’t forget what happened, but it may begin to feel less intense, less present, and less in control of your life. Many people describe knowing the memory is still there without feeling as though they are reliving it. We’ll move at your pace, build a sense of safety first, and make sure you remain in control throughout the process.
Have you ever noticed how one thought can completely change your mood—or send you down a rabbit hole of overthinking? CBT helps us slow that process down and get curious about the stories your mind tells you. Together, we’ll explore the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. We might look at whether a thought is helping you, whether it reflects the whole picture, or whether it was shaped by an old experience that no longer fits your life today. The goal isn’t to force positive thinking or pretend everything is fine. It’s to develop a more balanced, compassionate perspective and make choices based on what you truly need rather than what anxiety, fear, or self-doubt is telling you. CBT also offers practical tools you can use between sessions, so therapy isn’t limited to the hour we spend together. With practice, you can learn to recognize unhelpful patterns sooner, respond differently, and feel more confident navigating life’s challenges.
Have you ever wondered why you sometimes become anxious and overwhelmed, while other times you shut down, feel numb, or want to disappear? Polyvagal theory offers a compassionate way to understand these reactions—not as something “wrong” with you, but as your nervous system trying to protect you. Think of your nervous system as an internal security system that is constantly checking, “Am I safe?” When it senses safety, you may feel calm, connected, curious, and able to think clearly. When it detects possible danger, it may shift into fight-or-flight mode, leaving you anxious, angry, restless, or on high alert. If things feel too overwhelming, it may move into shutdown, causing you to feel disconnected, exhausted, frozen, or emotionally numb. In therapy, we’ll become curious about your unique nervous system patterns and the signals your body gives you. Together, we’ll practice simple, personalized ways to help you return to a greater sense of safety and connection. The goal isn’t to stay calm all the time—it’s to understand what your nervous system needs and develop more flexibility in how you respond to life.
Have you ever said, “I know I’m safe, but my body doesn’t feel safe”? That’s where somatic psychotherapy can help. Stress and painful experiences don’t just live in our thoughts—they can also show up as tight shoulders, a racing heart, a heavy feeling in the chest, numbness, restlessness, or the urge to shut down. Somatic therapy invites us to gently notice these signals with curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we’ll explore what your body may be communicating and practice ways to help your nervous system feel more grounded and supported. This might include breathwork, movement, mindfulness, visualization, or simply noticing sensations in a safe and manageable way. You’ll always remain in control, and you won’t be pushed beyond what feels comfortable. The goal isn’t to eliminate every uncomfortable feeling. It’s to help you better understand your body, respond to its needs, and feel more present, connected, and at home within yourself.
Ever wondered why certain relationships bring out strong emotions, fears, or reactions—even when part of you knows everything is probably okay? Attachment-based therapy explores how our earliest relationships and life experiences can shape the ways we connect with others, respond to conflict, and experience closeness today. You may notice yourself worrying about being rejected, pulling away when someone gets too close, overgiving to keep the peace, or struggling to trust that your needs matter. These patterns aren’t character flaws. They often developed as ways to protect you, maintain connection, or cope with relationships that didn’t always feel safe or dependable. Together, we’ll gently explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion. You’ll have opportunities to better understand your emotional needs, practice healthier boundaries, communicate more openly, and create relationships that feel safer and more fulfilling. The goal isn’t to blame the past—it’s to help you understand yourself more deeply and discover new ways of connecting without losing yourself in the process.
1 rating with written reviews
June 18, 2026
Amazing first session, it was so nice to feel seen and have someone immediately recognize your concerns. I am looking forward to future visits.