About

I am Susan Elaine Johnson, a licensed clinical counselor. I prefer to use my middle name, Elaine, which can cause confusion. I spent many years in social services prior to deciding to go back to school. I approach each client as an individual with unique responses to life and its challenges and consider myself an ally to all communities. My focus areas are trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and domestic abuse in adults. My approach I use a mix of evidence-based approaches including DBT, CBT, and positive psychology with a person-centered approach. A balance of therapeutic talk and takeaway tools all centered on mindfulness. My focus I typically work with clients who have experienced trauma and may or may not be aware of how it is currently affecting their daily life in the present. I have worked frequently with military veterans, survivors of domestic violence and childhood abuse, religious trauma, narcissistic parents, and mood disorders. My communication style I think of myself as a companion in this journey, who has a few more tools in her toolbox. You are the expert on you; it’s my job to create a safe space for you to explore the challenges you’re facing and help you develop insight into how to navigate them effectively. My journey to mental healthcare I have always wanted to be a therapist since I was in middle school. I was a child who always felt silenced as though my thoughts and feelings had no value. I want to be a person who gives a voice to others and helps them to internalize that value. My goals for you Setting goals means different things to different people. For some it can feel like pressure, for some, it’s a path to progress. What’s important is that the goals are realistic and authentically the desire of the client. My first session with you First sessions vary. I typically start by letting a client know that this is a time to get to know each other and for them to begin to feel comfortable talking with me.