Susan Garner, LMFT

Susan Garner, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), is licensed in California and has 20 years of clinical experience. She works on stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and life changes. She describes her work as collaborative goal-setting and practical problem identification.

Susan uses several therapy approaches in session. She integrates Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early bonds affect current relationships. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify patterns of thinking that maintain distress. She also draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy to address attachment and closeness issues, and Client-Centered and mindfulness elements to support present-moment awareness.

In sessions she helps people name the problem first, then set clear objectives. She talks through relationship patterns, communication problems, and family of origin issues that affect current functioning. She also works with issues such as abandonment, codependency, infidelity, jealousy, and blended family concerns.

Susan emphasizes practical skill-building alongside understanding emotions. That can include communication skills, boundary setting, and strategies to manage mood and anxiety. She frames therapy as both immediate relief and long-term change through clearer goals and new skills.

Her background combines Western and Eastern influences. She blends CBT and psychodynamic ideas with mindfulness and somatic awareness. This mix is used to address complicated problems that often have emotional roots from earlier life experiences.

How Susan’s approaches translate to online work