Testimonials
"When I lost the great love of my life after 68 years of a good marriage, my life collapsed around me. I knew I could not survive in the frightening unknown present, and I knew nothing of the emptiness of the life ahead. Susan Crater came into my life through the recommendation of my family physician after my husband had been dead six months, and she has walked quietly and steadily with me into a future that required change and courage, a future that had always offered me comfort and security but now was colored by the gray void of pain. From the beginning, she has let me know in countless ways that she believes in me and that I "could do this," I could achieve the impossible and learn to live in a life devoid of what had always sustained me. Susan has led me to see that my life matters. She has helped me to save my life." - OM
"Susan has a way. It’s really hard to explain. It’s a place where she brings you - that you’re safe. You’re not exactly sure how you got there. You think you’re not ready to talk about that subject - even though it’s one of those that you really came to therapy for. Or at least it was one of the ones that never seemed to get resolved. But all of a sudden you find yourself in that space where you’re talking about it. And she’s finding a spot to make it even softer. Even though you feel you don’t deserve that. A spot that I call AND. I judge things as black or white. But Susan finds a way to allow me to feel that two things can be true at once. Gently teaching me to be soft with the younger version of me, the one who made painful choices while just trying to survive." -AL
When I met Susan, I was 18 years old and in the midst of a long, painful battle with bulimia and anorexia. Anxiety and depression had become my default state, and I had already been through several therapists—none of whom had made a real impact. I had been hospitalized multiple times due to being at risk of cardiac arrest and, at the time, had little to no desire to get better. Susan was different. She took her time getting to know me and truly understanding the inner workings of my mind. Her presence was calm and comforting, and I never once felt uncomfortable opening up to her—about anything. It’s been about five years since I last worked with her, and I still carry the tools and insights she gave me. I’ve shared her name and how deeply she helped me with close friends—her impact is something I talk about often. Though I haven’t needed her support in some time, it gives me peace to know she’s still there if I do. I truly love and appreciate Susan—for what she did for me then, and for how her influence still supports me today. - MK
"Therapy has helped me gain confidence in myself and my ability to navigate the ups and downs life throws at me. Even if I feel like I had a relatively uneventful week, it's nice to have a space to talk to someone and know that my thoughts aren't going to be judged like a friend or family member might. It's comforting to know I have someone in my corner, always fighting to help me be the best version of myself, even when I'm having trouble seeing it!
Thank you for allowing me the chance to share some of my thoughts with you, Susan!" -HW
"I’ve been working with Susan for 5 years, and I can’t overstate how much she’s improved my life. When I first started working with her, I was anxious and overwhelmed, but from our first session, she made me feel safe, seen, and understood. Susan is warm, approachable, and easy to open up to.
Over time, I’ve become much more grounded and independent because of our work. My anxiety has gone down significantly, and I credit that to the tools and language Susan has given me (I truly use them every day now). Susan helped me recognize how hard I was being on myself and empowered me to show up for myself, especially as a woman.
Susan just gets it. She knows when to simply listen, when to gently push you, and somehow always has the perfect analogy to make things click. Working with Susan has been nothing short of transformative for me, she completely shifted how I approach my mental health for the better." -CV
"Susan has been a lifeline for me. I started meeting with her at a very trying time, struggling with some major life changes. With Susan’s sharp insight and knack for cutting through the chaos, she helped me navigate through some of life’s very messy moments. Susan’s wit keeps our sessions real and her guidance has fostered my being able to turn my struggles into stepping stones." -BK