Susan M. Baker, M.A., MFT
Susan M. Baker, M.A., MFT
CA License #MFC36547
Voice Mail 10#

  • Certified Trauma Healing Specialist
  • Certified Gestalt Specialist
  • Over twenty years of experience
  • Individual, family, and group psychotherapy
  • Faculty at Pepperdine University
  • Internship opportunities for therapists in training  

     

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    *Email Me                    Specialties                    Links                    Interns

     

    Biography

    Susan is a licensed Marriage Family therapist and Certified Gestalt Therapist. She maintains a psychotherapy practice for adolescents and adults and co-leads several therapy groups. Susan works with people who are dealing with depression and anxiety, suffering from chronic pain or illness, or having difficulty recovering from trauma. As an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University, Susan teaches graduate classes on Interpersonal Skills and Group Therapy. As a clinical supervisor, she provides training in the areas of group process, gestalt therapy and trauma treatment. Complimenting her experience, Susan has recently completed training for certification in Somatic Experiencing, a naturalist approach to healing trauma.

     

    Philosophy 

     

    Hello. Is this the first time you've considered psychotherapy? Perhaps you're a returning client. Either way, choosing a therapist who's a good fit for you is an important decision. Finding someone whom you like and feel comfortable with can really help you begin your process of change. Feeling supported can certainly make talking about difficult issues much easier. My approach to psychotherapy emphasizes how your relationships will improve as you learn more about your emotional process. We will examine your relationships, (even the one with me,) to learn more about how you can make more satisfying choices in your life.
    Professionally
    A little bit of background about me which can help you decide if I'm right for you...

    I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I worked in financial consulting for two years before I changed direction and entered Pepperdine University to complete my Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. That was in 1994. I began my private practice at the same time that I was working at Pepperdine training doctoral Psychology students. Once licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I worked at Interface Children and Family Services, (the largest social service agency in the area,) as the Director of Clinical Services. Providing low-fee mental health services to individuals and families in need was very satisfying.

     

    Currently I see clients at New Beginnings and I continue to teach graduate courses for Pepperdine. I also supervise MFT interns. Along the way, I completed post-graduate studies at the Pacific Gestalt Institute. I particularly enjoy training students in Gestalt since it is both an approach to therapy and a philosophy of living which I agree with. Gestalt emphasizes awareness of one's self and responsibility for one's thoughts and behavior. I think I'm a better person and a much better therapist because of my Gestalt studies.

     

    My passion for serving the community has included speaking engagements to support teenagers who are dealing with expression of individuality, and addressing how gender bias impacts our communication. I have also written a lifestyle column addressing gay and lesbian relationship issues. As an avid adventurer, I enjoy snowboarding & wakeboarding, hiking with my family and our dog, and traveling to new places.

     

    If you need more information to help you make an informed choice about a therapist, please ask me. My phone number is: (805) 987-3162 ext. 10#. You can also e-mail me at: susanbaker@newbeginningscounseling.net  I look forward to meeting you.

     

    Please check out the Groups Currently Offered for group opportunities for growth and healing that I and my colleagues are facilitating. Group therapy experiences are an excellent way to gain additional support while encountering the difficult work and pain that we may be facing.

     

     

     

    *Email Me                    Specialties                    Links                    Interns