New to Grow
Welcome! I'm Susan Schneider, a "seasoned" professional (which for me means that I have experienced a rich, full and savory life), I believe that I can truly walk with you down many paths and challenges! Some of my own personal paths that I have traveled include marriage, sexual intimacy and mis-matched libido concerns, parenting concerns, separation and divorce, death of a spouse, blended family life issues, empty-nesting, career changes, family of origin issues, caregiving aged parents, pre- and post-menopausal transitions, and everything else in-between. As your therapist, I will come alongside you and invite you to explore the possibilities of YOU. Whether you are struggling with sexual intimacy, relationship challenges or life changes, I will create a gentle and safe place where you can sit, breathe, reflect and gain clarity about who you are and what you desire. I would be honored to work with you as you embark on this journey. If you’re ready for me to help you tell your story, I’m ready too!
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
As we meet for our initial session, I will welcome you in a warm and affirming manner, allowing you to share your concerns and challenges in a non-judgmental space. I will ask you questions about your presenting problem(s), exploring the background and history of your concerns. This can include information about your family of origin, cultural environment, relationships, social, spiritual and sexual history as well as current determinants and considerations. Together, we can then create a treatment plan that feels right for you and begin to envision the therapy goals you want to achieve!
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My therapeutic approach is varied and intuitive...I utilize methods that can best-suit the individual client or couple's needs! The first thing you will encounter w/me as your therapist is my attentiveness to your story and what you bring into our session. Once I begin to understand your circumstance and story, we will begin to explore meanings and best outcomes to explore healing modalities to achieve therapy goals. These modalities can include Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Sex Therapy. My style is warm, inclusive and caring, holding a gentle and safe place where you can sit, breathe, reflect and gain clarity about who you are and what you desire. In this space, I provide clients with open and direct feedback to allow for exploration and implementation of healthy new skills and behaviors to promote your confidence and personal growth. I look forward to meeting you and walking with you on this journey!
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
As a Sex and Relationship Therapist, I treat individuals and couples... INDIVIDUALS in my practice can present with questions, doubts, unspoken feelings or shame about intimacy, pleasure, or their connection with their bodies. As your therapist, I am here to let you know that you are not alone! Here you will find a calm, compassionate space to explore your sexuality at your own pace — free of judgment, pressure, or expectations. COUPLES can experience changes in intimacy, desire, connection and communication at different points in their journey. Here, you’re invited to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what brings you closeness and comfort. Whether you’re navigating mismatched desire, rebuilding trust, healing from past hurts, or simply wanting to deepen your intimacy, Sex and Relationship therapy offers guidance that honors both voices and both hearts.
Christian Counseling
When desired, I will integrate Christian faith-based clinical counseling with psychological therapeutic methods to align with the client's spiritual beliefs and values to promote hope and healing.
Couples Counseling
I specialize in working with couples experiencing relationship challenges, e.g., communication challenges, intimacy and connection difficulty, financial concerns, infidelity, divorce, job loss. As a seasoned professional, I can also walk with couples thru mid/later life transitions, parenting & blended family strategies, assuming a caretaking role for family or relatives, retirement and loss/grief.
Sex Therapy
Your sexual wellbeing is an important and beautiful part of who you are, and no matter what stage of life you are living in, you deserve a space where you can explore it with comfort, curiosity, and support. In my practice, I treat individuals and couples who may experience a decline or loss of sexual intimacy, low libido, mis-matched desire, painful intercourse, peri/post menopause changes, orgasm challenges and sexual anxiety, shame or embarrassment. Many individuals and couples arrive unsure of how to talk about sex, desire, closeness, or emotional needs. Here you will find a calm, compassionate space to explore your sexuality at your own pace — free of judgment, pressure, or expectations. Together, we can create a safe environment where those conversations can unfold with honesty and clarity to promote intimacy, connection and confidence.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I utilize IFS to explore the client's internal parts that may be showing up as anxiety, depression, resistance, anger, shame, trauma, etc. IFS helps the client understand what roles these parts play within the client's system and what they need to heal with their core Self to promote balance and harmony within.
Narrative
What we tell ourselves about who we are and the challenges we may be facing are powerful stories we hold within. I utilize Narrative Therapy to help my clients tell their story in a safe, non-judgmental space, allowing their stories to be seen, heard and known. Together, we can explore the context and meaning of these internal thoughts and beliefs to author new and empowering stories of hope and healing.