Susan Barrus
I'm a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with an inviting cozy office in Pleasant Grove, Utah, also seeing clients virtually and offering walk and talk therapy in Lehi, Utah (self-pay only). I have extensive training in treating trauma, including betrayal trauma, as well as narcissistic abuse, divorce, perinatal mental health, and ADHD.
First session
In our first session, we will talk about benefits of therapy, limitations, safety and privacy. I'll ask your reasons for seeking therapy as well as your goals. Because my approach to mental health includes understanding some of your past, I will likely ask about your experiences from early developmentally-important years with family and friends. You always have the power to decline to answer or talk about anything and can tell me if the conversation is not heading in the direction that you'd hoped.
Strengths
I am trauma informed and focused. My approach is to work with both thoughts and emotions, brain and body using EMDR and other practices to address PTSD, anxiety, and other challenges. I have extra understanding for my neurodivergent clients because I have ADHD myself. I value authenticity and creativity and am currently making efforts to bring natural elements and creative, expressive therapies into sessions to enhance emotional expression and processing. Sometimes sitting and chatting face-to-face is difficult for me and for some clients, which is why I'm thrilled to offer outdoor walk and talk therapy for self-pay clients.
Ideal clients
I love to work with adults of all ages with trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and other challenges. and women facing any number of women's issues from transitioning to adulthood, dating, breakups, single life, religious trauma and deconstruction, betrayal and infidelity, divorce, the effects of narcissistic abuse, birth trauma, postpartum mood disorders, parenting, menopause, and grief. I am a Gen X therapist, seasoned in life and understanding of midlife joys and pains.
Origin story
I have experienced life fully, including many privileges and good things, but also including early parental loss, a blended family as an adolescent, birth traumas and postpartum depression and anxiety, parenting neurodivergent children, a challenging divorce, menopause, and other events. After being a stay at home parent for nearly 18 years, I had a desire to become the kind of helper I needed through the hardest parts of my life so I completed my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021 through Colorado Christian University, online.
Ongoing work together
Sessions beyond the first will likely include some teaching of coping skills as well as conversations to help process and treat your presenting issues.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions526 W Center St, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062, Suite N-107
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Licensed in
- UtahLicense 331396-6004