- Family of origin issues
- Anxiety and stress
- Somatics and yoga
About Susan
Susan St Vrain is a Washington state LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 30 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, ADHD, sleep problems, parenting challenges, and other life changes. Her practice also addresses family of origin issues and a wide range of related concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, and caregiver stress.
Susan uses a straightforward, client-centered approach. Sessions focus on practical skills, mindful awareness, and talking through patterns that began in childhood and still affect daily life. She brings body-aware practices into sessions for people who want them, including somatics and therapeutic yoga techniques she has taught alongside talk work.
Her style combines cognitive-behavioral strategies with acceptance-based and emotionally-focused work. That means clients learn ways to shift unhelpful thoughts, notice feelings without avoiding them, and improve emotional responses in relationships. Sessions tend to be collaborative and solution focused, with attention to both thinking and bodily experience.
Susan has long provided psychoeducation and movement-based supports for people recovering from neglect or abuse, as well as those coping with traumatic brain injury, bipolar concerns, or the stressors common to first responders and caregivers. She also offers coaching-style support for career and life transitions.
People who choose her often want a mix of talk therapy and practical exercises to change patterns rooted in earlier family life. To begin, prospective clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule an initial session to see if the approach fits.
How her therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, then choosing actions that match personal values. It can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions by clarifying what matters and building small, values-based steps. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns influence current connections. It helps people recognize recurring roles learned in family life and try different ways of relating that feel safer and more effective. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the client's perspective, using reflective listening and collaborative planning so the client directs the pace and focus of work.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Susan treats approach selection as a collaborative process, checking in about what feels useful and adjusting methods to match each person's goals and preferences. She combines talk-based techniques with body-aware exercises when those fit the client's needs.
The practical benefits of working online include easier fit with daily schedules and fewer barriers to attending regular sessions. If you are considering online work, confirm the current session formats before booking so you know whether video, phone, or another option is offered. Online sessions can allow shorter check-ins, quieter surroundings, or not being on camera when that helps someone stay engaged.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she typically address?
Susan works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and parenting issues, ADHD, sleep problems, bipolar mood concerns, and family of origin issues among others.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and solution focused, mixing mindful body work with talk therapy and concrete skills practice.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 30 years of clinical experience as a Washington state LMHC.
Where is she based and licensed?
She is licensed as an LMHC in Washington and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Session cost varies with location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.