Business Details
Licensed Therapist in San Luis Obispo
As a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in helping individuals, children, and families navigate complex emotional challenges. My practice focuses on attachment-focused therapy, play therapy, and sandplay therapy to address trauma, grief, behavioral difficulties, and relationship issues. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology with emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and have extensive training in therapeutic approaches tailored to early childhood development.My clinical background includes work with San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health, hospice programs, and Montessori education. I integrate evidence-based methodologies with personalized care to support clients in building resilience, improving relationships, and achieving meaningful personal growth through a compassionate, strengths-based approach.
Services
Individual Counseling
Child Therapy
Family Counseling
Grief Counseling
Play Therapy
Sandplay Therapy
Attachment Therapy
Anxiety Treatment
Trauma Recovery
Parenting Support
Highlights and features
- 20+ years of experience working with children and families
- Specialized training in sandplay and attachment-focused therapies
- Integrates depth psychology with evidence-based clinical practices
- Offers personalized treatment plans for individual needs
- Combines therapeutic expertise with practical, solution-oriented approaches
Associations and certifications
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Services
Child Therapy
Specialized therapeutic interventions for children aged birth to 5 experiencing trauma, behavioral difficulties, or attachment challenges. Utilizes play therapy and sandplay techniques to address developmental disruptions. Focuses on strengthening parent-child relationships to create foundational stability for healthy growth and emotional regulation.
Attachment Therapy
Focused treatment for disrupted attachment relationships between parents and children. Employs evidence-based approaches to rebuild trust and emotional connection. Addresses issues from family separation, trauma, or early childhood adversity through interactive therapeutic processes that promote secure relational patterns.
Sandplay Therapy
Non-verbal therapeutic approach using miniature figures and sand trays to explore unconscious patterns. Based on Jungian psychology principles to facilitate self-discovery and emotional healing. Particularly effective for trauma recovery and accessing internal resources for personal growth and problem-solving.
Grief Counseling
Compassionate support for processing grief and loss through personalized therapeutic techniques. Addresses complicated bereavement patterns and helps develop coping strategies. Integrates mind-body approaches to navigate emotional distress and restore functional daily living during the mourning process.
Family Counseling
Holistic approach addressing family dynamics and communication patterns. Works with multiple family members to resolve conflicts and improve relational functioning. Focuses on creating healthier interaction patterns and supporting collective healing from traumatic experiences or transitional challenges.
People
Gorter, Suzanne
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed therapist with 20+ years of experience in child development and family systems. Specializes in trauma recovery and attachment disorders. Holds advanced training in sandplay therapy and depth psychology.
Questions
What types of therapy do you specialize in?
I specialize in attachment-focused therapy, play therapy, and sandplay therapy for children, families, and adults dealing with trauma, grief, and behavioral challenges.
Do you accept insurance?
I provide documentation for potential insurance reimbursement. Please verify your mental health benefits with your provider for out-of-network coverage details.
What ages do you work with?
I work with clients across the lifespan from infants (birth to 5 years) through adults, with specialized training in early childhood development and family systems.
Are evening or weekend appointments available?
Standard office hours are Monday-Friday with some evening availability. Please contact me directly to discuss scheduling options that accommodate your needs.
What is your cancellation policy?
24-hour advance notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. Missed appointments without prior notice require full session payment.
Do you offer telehealth services?
Please contact me directly to inquire about current telehealth availability and platform requirements for virtual therapy sessions.
