About Me

Susan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social worker specializing in individual, couples and family therapy  and maintains a private practice in Minnetonka, MN. Since graduating from the Columbia University School of Social work in 1993, she has helped hundreds of clients and has been in private practice since 1999.

With over 20 years experience as a  therapist, and as a graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work specializing in clinical practice, she is currently serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients.  Her warm engaging style helps new clients to easily engage in the therapeutic process.  Among her areas of expertise are pre and post divorce counseling and victimization survivor issues.  Professional Interests include women's issues and relationships, parenting, separation, divorce, single parent and co-parenting issues, re-marraiage and step-family issues, sexual abuse and victimization and intern field supervision.

As a Rule 114 qualified neutral, Susan is a compassionate, experienced, professional specializing in divorce adjustmant issues, including separation, co-parenting, reunification,  remarital and step-family issues. Trained and experienced in conducting divorce mediation and custody evaluations and recommendations as an expert witness to the Court,  she provides support and guidance to assist in the successful completion of the divorce process for the best possible outcome for parents and children. Her expertise in child development guides parents through the predictable stages in the divorce process, assisting parents in their interaction, appropriate parenting and access so that children benefit from the best of what each parent has to offer them.


Susan has extensive experience in working with children, adolescents and adult survivors of sexual abuse and victimization. She is experienced working with clients who have  experienced trauma and dissociation, providing coping strategies to improve and enhance functioning on a variety of levels and situations.   She has successfully helped many clients  process their traumatic experiences and gain useful insight about how they have been impacted by their experiences. Through the therapeutic process, her clients learn to integrate these experiences into their life story and move forward, empowered with personal growth and a new resilience and perspective.

Susan is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

EDUCATION

Susan received her MSSW from the Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City in 1993.
She received her BA in 1981 from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts


SELECTED ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice

The Effects of Divorce on Children and Parents (Judith Wallerstein)

Conducting a State of the Art Custody Evaluation- (Barry Bricklin Ph.D. and Gail Elliot Ph.D.)

Specialization Seminar in Divorce Mediation (40 hour program)

Advanced Issues in Mediation

Critical Custody Evaluation Issues (Barry Bricklin Ph.D. and Gail Elliot Ph.D.)

Understanding Children’s Communication in Custody Conflicts

Cooperative Parenting and Divorce; Leader Training Workshop

Parenting Coordination: Helping High Conflict Parents Resolve Disputes

Advanced Issues in Parenting Coordination

Legal and Ethical Issues in Working with Children and Families

Custody Issues in New Jersey

SENE and FENE Early Neutral Evaluation Training

MACRS Solomon's Surrogates Custody Evaluator Training

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AN AFFILIATIONS

NASW Member Since 1989

NASW Bergen Unit: Past Co-Chair, S.W.I.N.G. (Social Work Intern Network Group)
Past Steering Committee Member

Academy of Certified Social Workers-Member

Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor-Member

American College of Certified Forensic Counselors with specialties in Forensic Assessment and Evaluation, Mediation and Child Custody Evaluation

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts-Member (National)
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts-Member  (MN Chapter) Communications Committee active member

LICENSES:

Minnesota LICSW to practice independently in the state of Minnesota (active)

New Jersey LSW and LCSW to practice independently in the state of New Jersey (active)