Susan Lourme, LMFT
Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples, Somatic Orientation
If you have ever experienced anxiety, depression, loneliness, obsessions, addiction, or a sense feeling stuck or lost, you are not alone. Over 25% of American adults experience some sort of emotional dis-ease in any given year. It is difficult to deal with these issues on one's own, and as human beings, we are wired for connection and contact. That means that we ALL need support; we cannot and should not remain alone in dealing with these challenges.
My focus is on treating adult individuals, couples, and families, and together developing a safe, trusting relationship as the basis for healing and creating new patterns of healthy thinking, healthy feeling, and healthy behaving. I take a holistic approach, working somatically with the whole being- mind, body and breath. This means that in addition to talking, together we work with your breath so that it flows more regularly and freely; this facilitates release of stuck emotions in the body. We also work together with your body so that you become more aware of what you actually feel in your own body. This work allows for complete release, healing, and transformation and thus a greater sense of overall well-being.
I work with people experiencing a wide range of issues, and in particular, people in transition. Transitions include situations such as relocation; career loss or change; life with emotional or physical illness or chronic pain; loss of a loved one; adjusting to sobriety; retirement, or any number of other life events that foster changes both within and without. Change in familial structure also often represents a difficult transition, and support can be highly beneficial with these changes. This could be the birth of a child; moving out on one's own; marriage; divorce; life after college; empty nesting, and other situational shifts. During these transitions, one often confronts anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, isolation, lack of ability to focus or concentrate, anger and other emotions that can be difficult to handle. As your therapist, I become your ally and together we work to explore and to excavate what is deep inside and is perhaps keeping you stuck. We identify tools and develop insights that allow you to move on more freely with your life and adapt to changes and transition with greater ease. We work collaboratively, finding what is most appropriate for you in any given session.
If you are reading this page now, you have taken the first step in gaining increased emotional ease and equilibrium. I am committed to partnering with you through the next steps and supporting you towards your fully sustainable well-being. I look forward to hearing from you to begin the process together.
Education/Training
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #54025
Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology; Argosy University 2010
Masters Degree in Business Administration; University of Michigan 1997
Certificate in Radical Counseling, Interchange 2003
3 year course of study in Orgonomy: Reichian Therapy and Character Analysis
Ongoing study of Somatic Therapy
Ongoing study Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Bio
Like you, I am an intimate participant in the human experience; I am also a licensed psychotherapist, arriving here by way of deep study of people in earlier careers, & through my own steadfast journey of personal growth. From these places, I deeply resonate with you. I listen intensely, exercising my intuition & broad range of skills in addressing your issues with you. I can help.
I am passionate about people & curious by nature, qualities which led me to study languages and to live abroad. As I struggled with comprehending foreign tongues, I had to vigorously observe the diverse ways of communicating. Striving to discover how to fit-in in a foreign society, I examined people's ways of being together, exploring norms & standards, learning about identity & group culture. These experiences further infused me with admiration for the human animal. I taught languages, then moved into the corporate world for over a decade further probing the art & science of being human. Managing customer-service organizations was often akin to running a psychotherapy group. These experiences continue to influence my work with you. I emphatically understand diversity & the absolute uniqueness of you.
My approach is holistic. I draw from various treatment styles & modalities, finding what is best suited in the moment. My fascination with the human being includes a passion for the miracle of the physical body—how it functions, how each part & every cell interact & influence each other. In addition to more traditional psychotherapeutic approaches, my work is thus informed by my connection with the body & my deep study & practice of yoga & mindfulness. I work & focus on you as a whole & complex being.
I hold Masters degrees in both Business & Counseling Psychology, & have formally studied language & culture. I am bilingual in French & English, a competency that serves me greatly in understanding & constantly cultivating new insight into communication, culture, & diversity . Areas of specialized study include Psychodynamic Psychotherapy; Somatic Therapy; Orgonomy: Reichian Therapy & Character Analysis; & Yoga Therapy and philosophy. These interests influence my life as a whole & the way I work with you.
I have traversed various stages of life, & have deeply explored the expansive range of emotions available to us. I find this human experience of ours to be enchanting & provocative; I am intensely passionate about my work and highly respectful of our therapy together.
Memberships
CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
EMDR International Association
Other Languages
French
Payments Accepted
Cash, check
License:Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #54025
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
|
Group Therapy
|
|
Addiction
|
Life Transitions
|
|
Anger Management
|
Loneliness
|
|
Anxiety and Panic
|
Marriage & Family Therapy
|
|
Bicultural Difficulties
|
Marriage Counseling
|
|
Caregiver Issues
|
Men's Issues
|
|
Chronic Illness
|
Relationship Issues
|
|
Couples
|
Self-Esteem Issues
|
|
Depression
|
Stress Management
|
|
Divorce
|
Trauma and PTSD
|
|
Grief and Loss
|
Women's Issues
|
Licenses/Certifications
|
Licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
|
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
|
|
Psychotherapy (MA)
| |
