Susanna La (she/her/hers)

As women of color, we are exposed to many expectations related to work, family, relationships, culture, and more. On top of our daily stressors, we are continually faced with oppression, gender-based discrimination/violence, patriarchal systems in our families and larger society, challenges navigating career and family, and reproductive pressures. This is a lot and you don't have to navigate these challenges alone.

As people of color, we not only experience current racial traumas, but also historical trauma of our ancestors. It can be difficult to manage the suffering passed down to us from our parents, grandparents, and beyond. This can look like lack of support for our emotional needs, experiencing parental/familial abuse, being parentified, growing up in poverty, witnessing elder family members self-medicating, and so much more. You do not have to endure your pain alone.

When we experience chronic stress, understandably, we get burnt out. As women of color with our multiple roles and life demands, our needs can easily be dismissed not only by others, but ourselves. Burnout is a helpful teacher to inform us of needs we have been neglecting. Through understanding our values and implementing sustainable changes, we can live more consistently with the life we want and reduce our burnout.

DBT focuses on skills such as how to understand/manage overwhelming emotions, be more effective with communication, and living more in the present moment. I support your learning and practicing of skills so you can be empowered to take on life's challenges.

As a person-centered therapist, I support you as you learn more about yourself and living more authentically as who you are. I am here to understand you and meet you halfway, while providing a safe and nonjudgemental therapeutic environment.

ACT is about living life by your values and making meaningful changes. We cannot escape pain in life, but we can reduce the suffering by accepting things we cannot change and living life the way we want.