Susan Garner, LMFT
LMFT focusing on relationships and trauma recovery
- Relationship and family work
- Trauma and anxiety support
- 20 years clinical experience
About Susan Garner
Susan Garner, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), brings 20 years of clinical experience to her psychotherapy practice, combining professional training with personal insight to support clients across the lifespan. She has worked with people from about 17 to over 70 years of age, offering care to individuals, couples - including same-sex partners - and families from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Her approach is rooted in a deep commitment to each person’s healing and growth, and she partners with clients to clarify goals and define steps toward change.
Susan recognizes that the concerns people bring to therapy are often complex and interconnected rather than neatly categorized. She listens for underlying emotional injuries, trauma, and family-of-origin patterns that can shape current relationships and day-to-day functioning. When needed, she teaches practical skills for communication, boundary setting, and emotional regulation to help clients build more effective patterns and meet personal goals.
Therapy is described here as both a space for being heard in the moment and a process for developing long-term clarity, confidence, and self-esteem. Susan blends Eastern and Western traditions - including mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral techniques, somatic body-mind work, and psychodynamic perspectives - to tailor interventions to each person’s needs. She emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance and offers respect, compassion, and acceptance as foundations for meaningful change.
Susan recognizes that the concerns people bring to therapy are often complex and interconnected rather than neatly categorized. She listens for underlying emotional injuries, trauma, and family-of-origin patterns that can shape current relationships and day-to-day functioning. When needed, she teaches practical skills for communication, boundary setting, and emotional regulation to help clients build more effective patterns and meet personal goals.
Therapy is described here as both a space for being heard in the moment and a process for developing long-term clarity, confidence, and self-esteem. Susan blends Eastern and Western traditions - including mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral techniques, somatic body-mind work, and psychodynamic perspectives - to tailor interventions to each person’s needs. She emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance and offers respect, compassion, and acceptance as foundations for meaningful change.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Family conflictsGriefAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommunication problemsDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameInfidelityJealousyMidlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaSomatizationYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Susan Garner have?
Susan Garner has 20 years of clinical experience.
Is Susan Garner a licensed therapist?
Yes, she holds the credential LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details are CA LMFT 38979 and OR LMFT T1186.
In which languages does Susan Garner provide therapy?
Susan Garner provides therapy in English.
Where is Susan Garner located?
Susan Garner is located in California.
How can I work with Susan Garner as my therapist?
You can work with Susan Garner through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Susan Garner work with international clients?
Yes, Susan Garner works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Susan Garner cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Attachment, Emotion-Focused, and Cognitive Approaches for Online Care
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of connection formed early in life and how those patterns influence current relationships. It helps people understand attachment needs, heal wounds related to abandonment or insecure bonds, and build more secure ways of relating to partners and family members.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, skills-oriented approach that examines how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. CBT helps clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns, develop coping strategies for anxiety or depression, and practice new behaviors to improve daily functioning.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) centers on identifying and reshaping emotional responses within close relationships. It is useful for couples and individuals who want to improve communication, deepen emotional connection, and resolve patterns of conflict rooted in unmet needs.
Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Susan collaborates with each person to find the best fit based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She draws from these methods to create a tailored plan and adjusts strategies as progress unfolds.
Online therapy offers flexible access to licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Those options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and connect with a therapist from different locations while working on relationship, mood, and trauma-related concerns.