Susan Faix , LMFT

Susan Faix is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 26 years of experience. She focuses on practical help for people facing grief, addiction, anxiety, depression, and parenting stress. Her approach is straightforward and respectful, with an emphasis on meeting each person where they are.

She uses clear conversation to build understanding about what feels stuck. Sessions often include talking through patterns in relationships, problem solving for daily stress, and setting small, doable steps forward. She helps people who are navigating life changes, career pressures, or relationship strains find more reliable ways to cope.

Her work draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early bonds shape current relationships. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools to manage strong emotions. Emotionally-focused and client-centered approaches guide how she listens and responds in session.

Susan adapts the pace and focus to each person’s needs. She pays attention to issues like abandonment, codependency, blended family challenges, caregiver stress, and recovery from trauma or loss. She also supports people dealing with sleep or eating concerns, anger, self-esteem, and ADHD-related difficulties.

Sessions happen by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging, and scheduling follows the typical subscription model. People who want to begin can complete a short matching questionnaire and arrange a time to meet that fits their schedule.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Susan often draws on attachment-based therapy, which looks at how early relationship patterns shape current connections and helps people build more secure ways of relating. This approach is useful for intimacy-related issues, abandonment concerns, and relationship repair.

She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing practical behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used to manage intense emotions and improve coping when feelings feel overwhelming.

Choosing the right approach happens together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and day-to-day realities and then try methods that fit those needs. That collaborative process helps shape what techniques are used and how sessions proceed.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for a traditional session feel and nonverbal cues. Phone can work when bandwidth or movement is a concern. Live chat and messaging let people check in between sessions or have shorter, flexible contacts during a busy day. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other commitments while keeping the focus on practical steps and emotional work.