Susan Brumbaugh, LMHC
About
My goal as a mental health counselor is to offer a space where you can express yourself, along with the structure to get you moving toward what's most important to you. My clients describe me as encouraging and supportive, with just the right amount of kick-in-the-butt accountability.
Counseling is a second career for me. I went back to school in 2012, where I had the opportunity to work with individuals and groups in several settings, including a substance abuse outpatient treatment center, and an agency supporting the homeless. After graduating and getting my license, I began working with individuals and couples in 2017.
I specialize in working with people who are feeling stuck--unmotivated, paralyzed by fear, or trapped in their circumstances. I have a piece of artwork in my office that says "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional" (attributed to many). I use an approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps you deal with your current reality while taking forward steps. I became a therapist because nothing feeds my soul more than having someone trust me with their vulnerability. I love seeing the positives in people that they can't see themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
After checking with a potential new client by phone or e-mail to ensure the concerns they have are a fit for my skills and experience, we arrange an initial session so that I can gather information about what's going on and background that may help provide important context. I have a few forms for clients to fill out in advance. At the end of the first session, I share my thoughts about how we might work together and map out a plan for the remaining sessions.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an M.A. in counseling from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces (2015). I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor, which means that I'm working under supervision until I have 3,000 hours (I'm so close!). I am trained in multiple areas, including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, trauma, working with diverse clients, and ethics. When I'm not counseling, I'm doing research at RTI International, where I've been employed since 2002. My Ph.D. is in sociology, and my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evidenced by leadership and participation in several Employee Resource Groups and involvement in every training on inclusion I can find.