Suzanne Leitner

Suzanne Leitner is a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida with more than 30 years of professional counseling experience. Suzanne counsels individuals, families, and groups. She has a wide range of clinical experience and has worked with people of all ages. Suzanne specializes in addictions, depression, anxiety disorders, and individuals adjusting to life changes. In addition to providing clinical supervision, she has taught as an adjunct professor/lecturer at Florida International University.

Ms. Leitner has a Master of Social Work degree from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Ms. Leitner has worked as a therapist and Director of Residential Services. As a director and manager of various community programs, she has written grants and implemented needed services in the community. She has worked as a medical social worker dealing with psychological issues related to chronic illness. She has experience with the geriatric population in a partial hospitalization program addressing psychiatric issues and helping the elderly manage life transitions.

Ms. Leitner worked with Memorial Regional Hospital (MRH) for over 6 years. At MRH she implemented and facilitated therapeutic programming in the community and in acute care psychiatric units and intensive outpatient settings. She has worked with people in her private practice settings for over 20 years and helped rehabilitate federal offenders on probation. Overall, she has provided countless assessments helping individuals identify areas of potential growth and healing. As a skilled clinician, she is able to use her wide variety of professional experiences and education to assist individuals with their particular goals.

I use a variety of therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness; Solution-Focused Therapy, which emphasizes strengths and future-oriented problem-solving; and Insight-Oriented Therapy, which deepens understanding of underlying patterns and emotional experiences.

I work collaboratively with each patient to develop goals and a treatment approach that best aligns with the individual’s needs, preferences, and personal style. I understand that there is no one-size-fits-all method. Ultimately, it is the therapeutic relationship—built on trust, respect, and genuine connection—that becomes the catalyst for meaningful and lasting change.

Selecting a therapist who can put you at ease is essential to the therapeutic process. You will find our office easy to locate, our staff efficient to work with, and the therapeutic services helpful in creating options and solutions to your concerns. Taking that first step to reach out to a professional can be difficult. From your initial contact, my goal is to work collaboratively with you to create a sense of empowerment, manage life’s struggles, and improve your sense of well-being. I hope you will eventually feel a restored sense of balance, peace, and happiness.