Sue (Susie) Swartz, LMFT
Midlife changes and life transitions
Continue with Sue
Opens BetterHelp in a new tab, where you can review online therapy options.
- Client-centered care
- Practical coping skills
- Values-based work
About Sue
Sue (Susie) Swartz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addiction, and major life changes including midlife transitions. She works with clients dealing with relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, and a wide range of attachment and identity issues. Sessions focus on practical steps people can take to feel steadier and more able to make decisions about their life.
She grounds sessions in a client-centered way, helping people recognize their strengths and purpose. That means listening first, then helping clients test small changes and new behaviors. She draws on approaches like cognitive behavioral work and acceptance strategies to reduce unhelpful thinking and increase valued action.
Swartz brings about 10 years of clinical experience to her practice and a long background in trauma, crisis intervention, and victim advocacy. Those years shaped her approach to grief, complicated bereavement, and working through intense stress reactions.
In the therapy room she helps people notice patterns that keep them stuck and practices new skills together. This can include emotion regulation techniques, clearer communication strategies, and ways to cope with chronic health or caregiver strain.
People who choose her often want practical tools plus thoughtful conversation about meaning and values. She aims to help clients return to clearer choices, steadier moods, and stronger connections to what matters in life.
She grounds sessions in a client-centered way, helping people recognize their strengths and purpose. That means listening first, then helping clients test small changes and new behaviors. She draws on approaches like cognitive behavioral work and acceptance strategies to reduce unhelpful thinking and increase valued action.
Swartz brings about 10 years of clinical experience to her practice and a long background in trauma, crisis intervention, and victim advocacy. Those years shaped her approach to grief, complicated bereavement, and working through intense stress reactions.
In the therapy room she helps people notice patterns that keep them stuck and practices new skills together. This can include emotion regulation techniques, clearer communication strategies, and ways to cope with chronic health or caregiver strain.
People who choose her often want practical tools plus thoughtful conversation about meaning and values. She aims to help clients return to clearer choices, steadier moods, and stronger connections to what matters in life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issues
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
10+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
How therapeutic approaches guide online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions toward those values even when feelings are difficult. It is useful for anxiety, midlife transition decisions, and long-term motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and skill practice, which can help with depression, anxiety, and coping with stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each client to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. This means trying techniques, checking in about what helps, and adjusting the plan over time so the approach stays useful.
Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people use tools like worksheets, in-session skill practices, and screen-shared materials during appointments. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT and CBT exercises for an online setting, helping clients practice new behaviors between sessions and track small changes over time.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Sue focus on?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, and coping with life changes including midlife transitions.
How would you describe her therapy style?
She uses a client-centered style that starts with listening. Then she helps clients try small changes and build skills that fit their life.
What is her professional background?
She has about 10 years of clinical experience and prior work in trauma, crisis intervention, and victim advocacy.
What credential and location are listed for the therapist?
She is an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - practicing in California.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session formats arranged?
Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered by the therapist.
How does cost and getting started work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.