I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with a focus on aiding adults in healing from various challenges, including trauma, childhood abuse, anxiety, depression, and grief & loss. I also work with couples struggling with the impacts of these issues in their relationships.
I have always been a “people person” and interested in how people learn, process and grow emotionally and relationally. Maybe that’s why I used to enjoy “The Bob Newhart Show” (for those who remember) even as a kid. After early experiences as a newer counselor in private practice in the Seattle area and then starting a part-time practice while also holding a full-time job after moving to the Methow Valley in 1998, I stepped away from counseling to focus on the full-time job in the business world. However, my passion for counseling never left me and I began transitioning back into private practice in 2011 and have been serving as a counselor in the Methow Valley since then. I offer in-person sessions in my Winthrop office and online sessions throughout Washington state.
Primarily utilizing Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidenced-based therapeutic method that employs side-to-side eye movements, I assist clients in addressing a range of issues such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, phobias and relationship concerns. ART helps the brain reprocess the way distressing memories and images are stored in the brain, resulting in symptom reduction or elimination. What sets ART apart is its potential for rapid results, often providing relief in as few as one to five sessions. After seeing and experiencing consistently positive results with ART in my own life and with clients, I chose to become an ART trainer in 2023 with the hope of increasing the availability of ART in the Pacific Northwest (there were only a few clinicians trained in this part of the country at the time). I have since had the privilege to train, and continue to train, many other therapists and psychologists in this amazing approach.
In addition to ART, I may also integrate other trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral, attachment, or developmental models, tailoring the therapy to someone’s unique needs. I additionally integrate a Christian faith-based approach for those who desire such, bringing a holistic, compassionate and personalized approach to healing for each of my clients.
If you are seeking a safe and compassionate place to explore areas of concern in your life, I invite you to contact me.
Education and Experience
I have always been a “people person” and interested in how people learn, process and grow emotionally and relationally. Maybe that’s why I used to enjoy “The Bob Newhart Show” (for those who remember) even as a kid. After early experiences as a newer counselor in private practice in the Seattle area and then starting a part-time practice while also holding a full-time job after moving to the Methow Valley in 1998, I stepped away from counseling to focus on the full-time job in the business world. However, my passion for counseling never left me and I began transitioning back into private practice in 2011 and have been serving as a counselor in the Methow Valley since then. I offer in-person sessions in my Winthrop office and online sessions throughout Washington state.
Primarily utilizing Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidenced-based therapeutic method that employs side-to-side eye movements, I assist clients in addressing a range of issues such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, phobias and relationship concerns. ART helps the brain reprocess the way distressing memories and images are stored in the brain, resulting in symptom reduction or elimination. What sets ART apart is its potential for rapid results, often providing relief in as few as one to five sessions. After seeing and experiencing consistently positive results with ART in my own life and with clients, I chose to become an ART trainer in 2023 with the hope of increasing the availability of ART in the Pacific Northwest (there were only a few clinicians trained in this part of the country at the time). I have since had the privilege to train, and continue to train, many other therapists and psychologists in this amazing approach.
In addition to ART, I may also integrate other trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral, attachment, or developmental models, tailoring the therapy to someone’s unique needs. I additionally integrate a Christian faith-based approach for those who desire such, bringing a holistic, compassionate and personalized approach to healing for each of my clients.
If you are seeking a safe and compassionate place to explore areas of concern in your life, I invite you to contact me.
Education and Experience
- Owner/Founder of Sue Peterson Counseling, PLLC and serving in private practice in the Methow Valley since 2011.
- Master of Science in Community Counseling from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 1993
- Diploma in Christian Counseling from the Psychological Studies Institute (now known as Richmont University), Atlanta, Georgia 1993
- Graduate Certificate in Bible from the Multnomah Graduate School of Ministry, Portland, Oregon 1990
- B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle Washington 1986
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Basic Training (2019) & Advanced/Enhanced Training (2020)
- Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Therapist (2020)
- Certified Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Trainer – Basic (2023) & Advanced (2024)
- Trainings in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Externship and Advanced Core Skills Trainings (2021)
- Completion of Level 1 and several year membership with Level 2 trainings in the Couples Developmental Model of therapy through The Couples Institute (2018 – 2022)
- Group Facilitator for How We Love Small Group workshops and training in Attachment Core Pattern Therapy (since 2015)
- Completion of Trauma Trainings with Janina Fisher including Level 1: Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma and Level 2: Principles and Challenges of Trauma Treatment (2014/2015)
- Lifespan Integration Beginning Training (2013) & Advanced Training (2014)
- Completion of the Cloud/Townsend One Week Intensive for Counselors (2011)