Designing Pathways Counseling

Suzanne has been working as a License Marriage Family Therapist since 1999 and has over 25 years of experience primarily treating adolescence, adults and their families. She specializes in depressive and anxiety disorders, ADHD, grief, school issues, relational issues and trauma. Her theoretical orientation can be described as a blend of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Expressive Arts, and a Family Systems approach. Suzanne received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies in 1990 from California State University, Sacramento and her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology in 1995 from National University, Sacramento. Prior to starting her private practice, she was employed by Amador County Behavioral Health as the Children's System of Care Coordinator, which allowed her to interact with other agencies and school special education services, as well as, Rite of Passage at Sierra Ridge as a Clinical Assessment Therapist and Folsom-Cordova Unified School District in the Early Intervention Program as a Parent Services Coordinator. In addition, for 12 years, she owned and managed Building Foundations Counseling Center, Inc., for which she provided therapeutic services to minors, adults, couples and families. In 2023, she became a stroke survivor which affected her speech (Aphasia) but has made a significant recovery. In 2026, she created Designing Pathways Counseling to provide a Telehealth-Only service, offering greater flexibility and accessibility for a variety of people, including other stroke survivors with Aphasia.