Meet Susan Heemstra!

Susan is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been a part of the Family Guidance and Therapy team for 9 months. She has worked with adolescents, families and adults using a client-centered approach. Susan's goals are to work with couples and become Gottman Certified. At the Family Guidance and Therapy Center of Southern California, each team member works from a set of personal values that drive client care. In the interview below, learn why Susan decided to become a clinician, the values that she brings to the FGTC team, and what challenges her on a personal level.

Trust and connect. I believe these words describe human relationships and what is essential in our therapeutic relationships.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I've been licensed since October 2017. My goal is to work with couples and am on the track to become Gottman Certified. My experience has been working with adolescents, families, and adults using CBT, SFBT, MI, and DBT. I have a client-centered approach.  I'm a single mother of a 19 year old on the Autism spectrum. He is currently a freshman at Cal State Channel Islands and doing well. I love yoga, my two dogs, and spending time with friends and family.

What inspired you to work as a therapist?

I was first inspired when 18 and I saw the movie Ordinary People. I wanted to help people as the psychologist did in the movie. I went a different direction with my career in IT for 20+ years and then returned to psychology in recent years.

Explain your personal value words and why they are important to you.

Trust and connect. I believe these words describe human relationships and what is essential in our therapeutic relationships.

What is unique about your work with clients?

I believe I have the ability to meet my clients where they are with genuine positive regard and provide instillation of hope.

What’s the most challenging and rewarding part of your work?

I have found it challenging to let there be silence in the room and allow the client the space to reflect and respond. This has taken practice in my intern work.

After a long work week, how do you de-stress or unwind?

Yoga and walk with my dogs. Time with friends and family. 

Tell us a funny story about yourself!

Hmmm.  I'll have to do that one in person...