Susan Trefts

Susan Trefts is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, and struggles with self-esteem. She speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps that people can use right away. Susan frames the work around each person's strengths and choices, and she supports clients as they make changes that matter to them.

With 21 years of experience, Susan draws on a client-centered way of working that keeps the person's perspective in focus. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which emphasizes skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. In sessions she listens carefully and helps people build skills to handle overwhelming moments.

Susan often supports people dealing with body image, guilt and shame, communication problems, and the effects of post-traumatic stress. She also addresses burnout and compassion fatigue, and conversations often include goals around self-love, forgiveness, and finding more purpose in life.

Her style is collaborative and straightforward. She helps clients identify small, practical steps and practices they can try between meetings. The aim is to make therapy feel useful and relevant to day-to-day life.

Susan is licensed in Oregon and Washington and works in English. If you want to explore whether her approach fits what you need, the process starts with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling to find a good time to begin.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Susan uses client-centered therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in ways that fit online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, reflecting, and helping people find their own solutions; online sessions can preserve that conversational, supportive stance. DBT emphasizes practical skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, and improving communication, which can be taught and practiced during remote meetings.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Susan and the person seeking help will look at current needs, goals, and daily routines to decide which methods to emphasize. She will adjust the plan as progress is made and preferences become clearer.

Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as this profile does not list exact options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins or longer skill-practice sessions when needed. They also let people use techniques and worksheets in real time during meetings, so practical skill-building continues between sessions.