Suzette Crouse
I am a licensed mental health counselor and a certified trauma professional who specializes in working with individuals experiencing posttraumatic stress, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, divorce, and other life transitions.
My background as a former speech-language pathologist makes me especially trained to help clients build communication and interpersonal skills that foster healthy relationships.
I entered the mental health field with the desire to empower survivors of trauma to not only recover, but to thrive. My background as a former speech-language pathologist makes me especially trained to help clients build communication and interpersonal skills that foster healthy relationships. This must begin, however, by developing that most important healthy relationship – the relationship one has with oneself.
First session
During our first session, we will begin with introductions and what brings you to counseling. I will answer any questions you have for me, and then we will begin a semi-structured interview to assess your specific needs and identify our counseling focus. Using this information as a starting point, we will in later sessions collaborate to formulate your desired goals for emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
Strengths
My greatest strengths are my listening skills, empathy, and firm belief in the miraculous power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. No mountain is too tall that we can't climb if we have someone in our corner to help us reach toward our highest potential. As human beings, we are unique in that we have the power to decide, “I am NOT what happened to me. I am what I CHOOSE to become.” – Carl Jung
Ideal clients
I specialize in working with individuals who have survived narcissistic abuse. I love being a part of restoring hope, strength, and above all, a sense of one's truth to people who have experienced being gutted by sometimes years of emotional manipulation. I also enjoy working with adults of all ages who are facing any life change, no matter how big or how small. Change is inevitable throughout life, but can be anxiety-provoking, overwhelming, and even paralyzing. I find joy in helping people navigate turbulent times, whether it is helping a young adult explore their identity, helping an emptynester build a new life, helping a divorcee find the path back to their true self, or helping someone cope with a devastating loss.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
My personal journey has taught me that the power of transformation lies in our willingness to become aware of, and then to let go of, the patterns that no longer serve us. ACT is the most powerful tool that I have found to help clients gain an entirely new perspective which in turn unlocks their potential for healing and growth. I have used ACT techniques successfully with individuals and groups from many backgrounds and find that it resonates with anyone who wishes to live a purposeful, value-driven life.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Healing from past trauma requires a holistic approach that integrates one’s mind, body, emotions, and spirit. To that end, I use mindfulness techniques to help clients build awareness of their thoughts and how they impact one's physical and emotional state. I also use mindfulness to teach clients how to be fully present in the moment which increases a felt sense of safety, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves communication.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe that healing occurs in the dynamic collaboration between the client and therapist. I also believe that every client is an expert in their own experiences and carries within them a depth of wisdom waiting to be discovered. Person-centered therapy is a natural fit for me because I consider it the utmost honor to meet an individual where they are, to seek to understand and fully "see" them, and to walk beside them on their journey toward healing.
Psychodynamic
With awareness comes the power to understand and move beyond limitations. I embrace a psychodynamic approach that helps clients explore how their past experiences impact their present day functioning. I also incorporate Jungian and existential techniques to help clients find acceptance and meaning in the human condition.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- FloridaLicense MH22258