Susan Axtell, PsyD. – About Dr. Axtell

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
I specialize in treating trauma (especially sexual abuse and sexual assault), and have 7 years experience working with trauma survivors. Our work together involves understanding the many ways in which the trauma has affected you-your moods, your relationships, your sense of self and the way you view the world, and the ways in which you have tried to cope. Often trauma survivors have a vast store of painful feelings, and coping skills which are not helpful, and may, in fact, be harmful (such as abusing substances to numb out, avoiding feelings by keeping constantly busy, etc.). I provide the tools necessary for healthy coping so that you can replace destructive habits and begin to feel more in control of your life.

In addition to treating trauma survivors I also enjoy helping clients who do not have a trauma history, but are suffering from depression, anxiety, and other disorders that get in the way of living life fully. I emphasize collaboration in my work with clients. You know yourself better than anybody else, and I have the knowledge and experience to facilitate healing. Working together we can transform your life for the better. I will support you, as well as challenge you when that's what's needed. I am hopeful and confident in your ability to create positive change in your life, and feel I fortunate to play a role in this very personal and meaningful process.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION
My approach to treatment is somewhat eclectic; I draw from different schools of thought depending on the presenting problem, personality style of the client, and the standards of care for the profession. I often use a psychodynamic approach to understand clients' relationship patterns resulting from life experiences. This means that I explore your past to determine how significant experiences have shaped you and continue to affect your ways of being in the world, especially your relationships with others. I also use a cognitive-behavioral approach when clients' difficulties stem from, or are worsened by, unproductive ways of thinking, and help them understand the connection between thoughts and behavior so that they can develop productive ways of thinking and behaving. In addition, I have a strong background and interest in multicultural psychology. I consider the sociopolitical context in which my clients' symptoms develop and are experienced. In other words, I explore how clients' cultural identities (their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.) contribute to their experience of the problem that brought them to therapy. This sets me apart from most psychologists; while all psychotherapists must consider the societal forces that contribute to the client's symptoms, internal (psychological) processes are traditionally the primary focus. My unique training has helped me to understand that the cultural piece is often too important to take a backseat.
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
I specialize in treating trauma (especially sexual abuse and sexual assault), and have 7 years experience working with trauma survivors. Our work together involves understanding the many ways in which the trauma has affected you-your moods, your relationships, your sense of self and the way you view the world, and the ways in which you have tried to cope. Often trauma survivors have a vast store of painful feelings, and coping skills which are not helpful, and may, in fact, be harmful (such as abusing substances to numb out, avoiding feelings by keeping constantly busy, etc.). I provide the tools necessary for healthy coping so that you can replace destructive habits and begin to feel more in control of your life.

In addition to treating trauma survivors I also enjoy helping clients who do not have a trauma history, but are suffering from depression, anxiety, and other disorders that get in the way of living life fully. I emphasize collaboration in my work with clients. You know yourself better than anybody else, and I have the knowledge and experience to facilitate healing. Working together we can transform your life for the better. I will support you, as well as challenge you when that's what's needed. I am hopeful and confident in your ability to create positive change in your life, and feel I fortunate to play a role in this very personal and meaningful process.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION
My approach to treatment is somewhat eclectic; I draw from different schools of thought depending on the presenting problem, personality style of the client, and the standards of care for the profession. I often use a psychodynamic approach to understand clients' relationship patterns resulting from life experiences. This means that I explore your past to determine how significant experiences have shaped you and continue to affect your ways of being in the world, especially your relationships with others. I also use a cognitive-behavioral approach when clients' difficulties stem from, or are worsened by, unproductive ways of thinking, and help them understand the connection between thoughts and behavior so that they can develop productive ways of thinking and behaving. In addition, I have a strong background and interest in multicultural psychology. I consider the sociopolitical context in which my clients' symptoms develop and are experienced. In other words, I explore how clients' cultural identities (their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.) contribute to their experience of the problem that brought them to therapy. This sets me apart from most psychologists; while all psychotherapists must consider the societal forces that contribute to the client's symptoms, internal (psychological) processes are traditionally the primary focus. My unique training has helped me to understand that the cultural piece is often too important to take a backseat.