Susan Barnes holds two degrees from the University of Oklahoma: a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. Prior to entering the counseling field, Susan owned and operated an accounting practice, an experience that informs her collaborative, solution-oriented sensibility in her clinical work. She understands the value of meeting a person where they are, clarifying challenges, and working together toward meaningful resolution.

Susan’s approach is compassionate, relaxed, and measured. She believes that effective therapy begins with feeling truly heard, and she is committed to cultivating a warm, safe, and supportive environment in which clients can engage authentically without fear of judgment. LGBTQ+ Friendly. Susan holds a guiding conviction at the heart of her practice: every individual is unique and deserving of acceptance and support through life’s challenges.

Seeking help is an act of courage, and Susan would be honored to accompany you on your path to healing.

Therapeutic Approach

Susan integrates a range of evidence-based modalities, thoughtfully tailoring her methods to the needs of an individual rather than applying a single framework uniformly:

• Person-Centered Therapy honors the client as the expert in their own experience, fostering growth within a relationship grounded in authentic acceptance and trust.

• Solution-Focused Therapy orients toward a client’s goals, drawing on existing strengths and values to facilitate meaningful and often efficient progress.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) illuminates the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, equipping clients with practical strategies to address distressing patterns.

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, trauma-informed modality that supports the reprocessing of distressing memories, helping to diminish their lasting impact and enabling clients to move forward unencumbered by the past.

• Mindfulness-based Art techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, and music are used to express emotions that can be difficult to put into words. Art and mindfulness activities offer a unique pathway to insight, emotional regulation, and healing.