Susan Drysdale, PhD

Mission Statement:

We each have a story that needs to be told. In the narrative, we try to make sense of it and give it meaning. We need to be heard by someone who believes that our story is important. If we find that person, we are indeed fortunate.

After I had taught foreign languages for 15 years, profound life events necessitated a career change. I was helped through this difficult time in my life by someone who believed that my story was important. He listened. As I worked with this person, I knew that I wanted to do for others what he had done for me. It has been 30 years since I started working in this field. My professional skill set has deepened. I have also experienced profoundly life-altering personal shifts especially in the recent past. This also broadened my abilities. I am more able than ever to be sensitive to the pain of others.

I still feel privileged that I have been given the gift of being able to “hear” what people need to say. I truly feel honored when people allow me into their lives to help them find their own meaning.

I believe that a trusting therapeutic alliance is crucial to the success of any treatment. Before treatment begins, I listen to your story. What do you want to change? Are your expectations realistic? The focus of our work is towards change or acceptance as well as understanding. I believe that the healing process includes five elements: cognitive shifts, behavioral and emotional changes, acceptance of the unchangeable, and understanding the origin of the problem. I want to empower you to reach your goals, as well as be able to accept the realities of life you do not have the power to change.

An important part of the counseling process is the handling of various human emotions. My goal is to help clients deal with their feelings in the following way: become aware of them, acknowledge them, try to understand them, accept them, and ultimately move on with life.

📽️ Being Authentic w/ Dr. Susan Drysdale:

Theoretical Orientations:

Humanistic: focusing on individual human capacities and strengths

Cognitive: changing the perception to change the individual reality

Behavioral: learning new techniques to cope with symptoms

Psychodynamic: understanding the roots of the problem to work toward recovery