Susan Zapatha

Experienced counselor blending evidence and empathy

LMHC Florida

Experience: 28 years in practice
Focus areas: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Susan

Susan Zapatha is a licensed mental health counselor based in Florida who helps people navigate relationship struggles, family conflict, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, stress, anxiety, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns.

Background and approach

With 28 years of professional experience, she brings long-term clinical perspective to issues such as addiction, intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Her style emphasizes collaboration and respectful listening, creating space for clients to explore difficult feelings and make practical changes.

Susan uses evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral approaches, attachment-focused work, client-centered techniques, and emotionally-focused interventions to tailor care to each person nd their circumstances. She supports people through life transitions, caregiving stress, blended family dynamics, adoption and foster care questions, chronic illness, and other complex situations.

Susan accepts international clients and offers a variety of online session formats. She holds the Florida LMHC credential (FL LMHC MH7032) and integrates practical skills with empathic guidance to help clients set goals and build coping strategies over time.

Integrating proven approaches into online therapy

Susan commonly uses cognitive behavioral techniques and attachment-based work in her practice. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to change patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress-related symptoms. Attachment-based therapy explores how early relational patterns influence current relationships and helps people develop more supported ways of connecting and communicating.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works together with clients to clarify goals, assess what feels most helpful, and adapt methods over time so that treatment aligns with personal preferences and changing needs.

Online sessions are designed to offer flexibility and access through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, maintain continuity during transitions, and use different formats for skills practice, check-ins, or deeper, interactive work with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

Susan works with a broad range of issues including relationship and family conflict, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, parenting stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, ADHD, and other emotional or behavioral challenges.

What therapeutic approach can I expect in sessions?

Sessions emphasize collaborative, empathic work and practical strategies. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques alongside attachment-based and emotionally-focused methods to match interventions to each person's needs.

How long has she been practicing?

She brings 28 years of professional experience to her clinical work, applying long-term practice experience to complex relational and emotional issues.

Where is the therapist licensed and practicing?

She is licensed in Florida as an LMHC and lists her credential as FL LMHC MH7032 while offering services to clients located in that state and beyond.

Does she work with clients who live outside the United States?

Yes, she accepts international clients and provides services to people who are located outside the United States.

What session formats are available for online work?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with client location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy with her?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefParenting issues

Also works with

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsLGBTIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Experience

28+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English