Suzanne Benites

I am an LCSW who specializes in helping adults (18+) heal from relational and developmental trauma. This may include experiences such as childhood physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse; neglect; growing up with a parent who struggled with their own mental health or emotional challenges; enmeshment; attachment wounds; bullying; and other experiences that shaped how you learned to relate to yourself and others.

These experiences can continue to affect you long after the original circumstances have ended, sometimes showing up as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, overwhelming emotions, difficulty trusting or connecting with others, challenging relationship patterns, perfectionism, or negative beliefs about yourself and the world.

Therapy with me is a collaborative process of understanding where these patterns come from, developing greater self-compassion and emotional awareness, and creating new ways of relating to yourself and the people in your life. I draw from trauma-informed approaches including Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and other evidence-based therapies, tailoring treatment to your individual needs and goals.

The first few sessions can sometimes feel a little awkward or unfamiliar which is completely normal. My goal during this time is to get to know you, understand what has brought you to therapy, and begin connecting the dots between your experiences, current challenges, and what you hope to accomplish in therapy. That may mean I ask a lot of questions as we build a fuller picture of what you're experiencing.

Most importantly, I want you to feel that you are entering a safe, warm, and non-judgmental space where you can be yourself. Building trust and a strong therapeutic relationship is an important part of the work, and we will move at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

I welcome your questions, feedback, and honest communication throughout therapy. If something isn't feeling helpful or doesn't feel like the right fit, I want you to tell me so we can adjust our approach together. My goal is for us to work collaboratively toward the changes and outcomes that matter most to you.