Susan joined GBCC in August 2014 and has worked in private practice in Anne Arundel County for more than 20 years. Susan works with teens (15-19) and adults of all ages. Her areas of expertise include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, stress management, life transitions, grief and loss, and eating disorders (binge eating and bulimia). She is also a specialist in the area of substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors. Susan is a team member of the First Responders’ Care Program and also provides walk-in assessments for GBCC/Oasis in Glen Burnie and Odenton.

Susan believes that the foundation for successful therapy is the relationship between the therapist and client. First and foremost, she is a compassionate and caring listener who seeks to understand her clients’ concerns and priorities. She utilizes motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques, and also teaches clients more effective ways to meet their needs. She recognizes that emotional health involves body, mind and spirit. Susan also works closely with her clients’ physicians and maintains strong referral relationships with psychiatrists in the local area in the event that a client may benefit from medication.

Besides her clinical work, Susan serves GBCC Behavioral Health in the role of Continuing Education Program Coordinator, developing training content for GBCC providers and other professionals. Susan’s other professional experiences include serving as the Site Director for the Renfrew Center in Bethesda which provides partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals with eating disorders, the successful opening of an outpatient clinic for individuals with substance use disorders in Annapolis, Maryland in 2019 for Kolmac Outpatient Recovery Centers, and the expansion of mental health and psychiatric rehabilitation services for Concerted Care Group. Susan served as the Director of Epoch Counseling Center for 12 years, overseeing all aspects of the agency’s clinical and administrative functions in its three locations in Baltimore County, Maryland. As Director, Susan was responsible for adding a number of new services at Epoch including intensive outpatient treatment for both adolescents and adults, juvenile drug court treatment services, buprenorphine maintenance, anger management, mental health counseling and peer recovery support services. Susan also has active relationships with several local graduate programs in counseling and has served as clinical supervisor for dozens of students. She holds a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Susan served for 8 years on the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.