Susan Hill

Compassionate therapist for relationship and trauma healing

LMFT California

Experience: 8 years in practice
Focus areas: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Susan

Susan Hill is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist who focuses on helping people navigate relationship struggles, trauma, self-esteem concerns, depression, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

She draws on eight years of clinical practice and a background working with people involved in the court system to create treatment that is respectful, compassionate, and tailored to each person's situation.

Her approach blends evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-based work, DBT skills, EMDR, and mindfulness practices to address symptoms and the patterns that maintain them. She pays attention to issues like attachment wounds, caregiver stress, communication difficulties, guilt and shame, and workplace or financial pressures when they relate to a client's presenting goals.

Susan aims to collaborate on a personalized plan that fits clients' needs and values, emphasizing practical skills alongside deeper processing when appropriate. She frames therapy as a courageous step toward greater well-being and offers steady support during change and recovery.

Therapeutic approaches applied to online care

Susan combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy in online work to address both immediate patterns and deeper relational wounds. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like depression and anxiety, while attachment-based work explores relational histories and connection patterns that influence how people relate and respond to stress.

She also integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills when clients need tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. DBT-informed techniques are practical and skill-focused, helping clients manage intense feelings and improve interactions in daily life.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process rather than a one-size-fits-all decision. She will work with clients to clarify goals, assess what feels most helpful, and adapt methods over time to match needs and preferences, combining skills practice and deeper processing as appropriate.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide scheduling flexibility and easier access from different locations. These formats let clients use talk therapy and skills coaching in ways that fit their routines, making it simpler to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, caregiving, or other responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

Susan works with relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, along with related issues such as attachment problems, caregiver stress, and workplace difficulties.

What is her general therapeutic style?

She uses a collaborative, respectful approach that combines practical skills and exploratory work, drawing on methods like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and mindfulness to match client needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has eight years of clinical experience as a licensed therapist and prior professional experience working with people in the court system.

What credentials and location are listed?

Susan is licensed as an LMFT in California with license number CA LMFT 129826 and practices from that state.

Which languages are offered and can international clients join?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How are costs and billing handled?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English