- Stress and anxiety
- Communication problems
- Social anxiety focus
About Susan
Susan Richey is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California with 10 years of clinical experience. She works with people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, and big life changes including divorce and retirement. Susan also supports those facing communication breakdowns, isolation or loneliness, self-love concerns, and social anxiety and phobia.
Susan uses straightforward conversation and focused techniques to help people identify what feels stuck. Sessions tend to center on practical steps and noticing how thoughts and behavior affect feelings. She draws on cognitive-behavioral ideas alongside humanistic and psychodynamic perspectives to guide the work.
Her style is interactive and respectful. She avoids labels and aims to keep discussions direct and humane. Clients can expect clear explanations of suggested strategies and space to bring their own goals to each meeting.
In practice Susan helps people map out small, doable changes. That can include trying new ways to approach social situations, testing different communication methods, or adjusting daily habits that affect mood. She also addresses grief and loss with attention to what’s happening day to day.
Susan has spent a decade working in clinical settings in California and brings that practical experience to sessions. She invites people who want to address relationship strain, persistent anxiety, or life transitions to consider a focused plan and regular check-ins to track progress.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Many of Susan's methods come from evidence-based techniques. Cognitive-behavioral strategies focus on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and avoidance. That approach is useful for social anxiety, phobias, and persistent worry.Humanistic ideas emphasize clear, respectful conversation and supporting the person's own goals during sessions. Psychodynamic concepts look at patterns that repeat in relationships and daily life to uncover why certain reactions keep showing up. Both approaches can help with relationship problems, grief, and self-image concerns.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Susan will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit best based on their goals, preferences, and the issues they're facing. That may mean focusing on skill practice, exploring patterns, or a combination of both.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let someone use sessions to directly practice social or communication skills in real-life settings between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What specific concerns does she help with?
Susan works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, and life changes such as divorce and retirement, plus issues like isolation, self-love, and social anxiety and phobia.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is interactive and direct, with practical steps and conversation that focus on what clients want to change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience working in clinical practice in California.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Can I work with her if I live outside the US?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.