Susan DuBay, LMFT

I help​ individuals and couples who want to do deep work to heal from hurts of the past while learning to love even the parts of themselves or their partners that they judge or don’t understand.

You can experience more fulfillment in your life and relationships! I’m here to support you.

I’m the type of therapist who believes you are capable of healing and change–even when others have rejected, harmed, or betrayed you in the past.

​

I have my own trauma history and years ago I found healing in therapy.

I experienced transformation and my new life blossomed with healthy relationships and a growing sense of purpose.

I wanted to help heal the world from trauma so I went back to school to be a therapist.

During my studies, I came across a model of psychotherapy that has changed my life profoundly.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based therapy and one of the fastest growing models of psychotherapy in the world.

However, what really matters to me is that IFS changed ME. It changed my CLIENTS. I know that it works because I use it daily in my personal and professional life.

As a therapist I see the changes in my adolescent, individual and couple clients.

IFS, also known as ‘parts work’ helps folks explore all the different aspects of who they are with curiosity and openheartedness.

For example, if I notice an angry part, I might ask this anger why it showed up. Anger is often an indication that a boundary has been crossed, so could it tell us more? This is important information that would be lost if I just told the anger to go away or if I gave it free rein. And neither suppression or aggression tend to work well long term.

Instead, taking the time to get to know these parts helps them to begin to trust, share their wisdom, and then relax back to reveal what is wise and calm within each person.

From this place, communication flows more effectively and healing happens both internally and externally with others such as partners, family, friends, children, and colleagues.

IFS has deeply facilitated the work that I feel drawn to do which is helping the world heal from trauma and that includes trauma that occurs as the result of racism, heterosexism, ableism, religious prejudice, and all other forms of oppression.

Before healing can happen, safety must be created.

My clients have said that my empathy, authenticity, vulnerability, lived experiences, humor, and my capacity for facilitating the healing process have helped them to compassionately explore all aspects of who they are which is the wellspring of transformation.

More from Susan

​Formal Credentials

License
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, #130782: Licensed to practice psychotherapy in California

Education
M.A., Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy: National University, Rancho Cordova
B.S., Biology: University of Oregon, Eugene

Trainings
Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Level I
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (Hold Me Tight Program)
Gottman Couples Therapy: Level 2
Gottman Couples Therapy: Trauma and Infidelity
Modern Sex Therapy Institute: Addressing Common Sexual Concerns in Individuals and Couples
Modern Sex Therapy Institute: LGBTQIA Affirmative Therapy
Modern Sex Therapy Institute: Alternative Sexualities/Non-Traditional Relationships
Anti-Racism & Culturally Affirmative Care, Diversity & Resiliency Institute of El Paso

Advanced Trainings/Certifications

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2 (Est. complete March 2023)
Intimacy from the Inside Out IFS Couple Therapy (Est. complete Nov 2023)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 Program Assistant for multiple Level 1 trainings
EMDR Therapy EMDRIA Approved Basic Training
Brainspotting (Phase 1)