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SS Portrait of Suzanne Shumaker

Suzanne Shumaker

Compassionate LCSW guiding practical emotional recovery

LCSW California

Experience
3 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Suzanne

Suzanne Shumaker is a California licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who focuses on helping people navigate difficult emotional experiences and life transitions.

Background and approach

With three years of professional practice, she combines evidence-informed techniques with a gentle, client-centered stance to support recovery from addiction, ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and strengthen stress management skills. Her work emphasizes fostering self-compassion and addressing sources of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem while helping clients reconnect with a sense of life purpose.

She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered principles and skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to create tailored plans that promote coping, self-love, and resilience. Suzanne aims to provide a calm, nonjudgmental space where clients can process post-traumatic experiences, grief, and communication challenges.

She collaborates with individuals to build practical strategies that fit their circumstances and supports ongoing personal growth and improved emotional wellbeing.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress; it is practical work that helps clients develop new, more effective ways of responding to daily challenges. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and respect for each person's experience, creating space for clients to explore feelings, build self-compassion, and clarify personal values and life purpose. Dialectical Behavior Therapy contributes skills-based tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improved interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful when managing intense emotions or reactive patterns.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Suzanne will work with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailor a blend of strategies that feels most helpful for each person. The aim is to match methods to the individual's situation rather than apply a one-size-fits-all model.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varied schedules and comfort levels. These options can make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions and offer multiple ways to engage in therapy that suit different daily routines and communication styles.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?
Suzanne works with stress, anxiety, addictions, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes, plus related issues like communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, post-traumatic stress, and self-love.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style blends client-centered listening with practical, evidence-informed methods to help clients develop self-compassion and actionable coping strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has three years of experience practicing as a licensed social worker in clinical settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
Suzanne holds the credential LCSW and is licensed in California under CA LCSW 134699.
In which language can sessions be conducted?
Therapy is offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and preferences.
How are costs and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposePost-traumatic stressSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English