Susan M. Rugari, MEd, LMFT Associate incorporates a variety of therapeutic
approaches in her work. She meets the client where they are and has a general
focus on promoting self-awareness and emotional healing. She brings personal
warmth, authenticity, and curiosity to the therapy setting to create an atmosphere of
understanding, support, encouragement, and emotional safety.
Identifying thought processes, exploring behavior, and attending to emotions are
part of her therapeutic process. Specific approaches include Gestalt therapy
(present moment, experiential, integrating mind and body) and Bioenergetic
Analysis (restore natural flow of energy in the body through breathing, movement,
and grounding). Susan is a member of the International Institute for Bioenergetic
Analysis and the Dallas Society for Bioenergetic Analysis.
In work with couples, the overall goal is assisting the couple to become a stronger
team through stages of bonding, learning to be separate, growing as a person,
reconnecting, and deep teamwork. Along the way, Susan supports each member of
the couple in enhancing self-awareness, speaking their truth, and listening when
their partner does the same. The process also involves healing from past
developmental (growing-up) wounds and wounding within the couple dynamic.
Susan is a member of The Couples Institute and works with the Developmental
Model of Couples Therapy
Education and Experience
Susan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate who is supervised by Kenneth Bateman, EdD, LMFT-S, LPC-S. Her master’s degree in counseling and development is from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Additionally, she has three degrees in nursing (BSN, MSN, PhD). Susan has a unique skill set as a therapist, nurse, and educator. Through over 30 years working as a nurse and educator, Susan learned a lot about people and herself. Becoming a therapist was a way to assist couples, individuals, and families in development, healing, and bringing about lasting change.
Susan Rugari sees clients for:
Anger Management
Anxiety
Couples Counseling
Depression
Divorce
Family Counseling
Family Issues
Grief & Loss
Individual Counseling
Relationship Issues
Stress Management
Trauma & PTSD
