Welcome to Susan L. Woods - Silver Birch Counseling and Psychotherapy

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Training Programs for Professionals, Instruction in Mindfulness

There are various reasons why people seek the help and support of psychotherapy.  It may be that you are dealing with difficulties in a relationship, a work or life issue and that these concerns are causing you more than usual worry.  You may be struggling with a specific mental health issue, such as depression, chronic sadness or anxiety.  Equally you may be looking for support around exploring choices you have made and developing alternative options.  Psychotherapy is a process designed to help you feel better and develop new skills.

Below is a list of some of the reasons why people choose to come to therapy.

Anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety
Depression
Health related issues
Lack of confidence/low self esteem
Loss, bereavement, grief
Relationship/work difficulties
Stress

I work with a variety of psychological and emotional conditions and am interested in helping people develop wiser choices, take better care of themselves and live healthy more adaptive lives. I have been trained in a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques, such as cognitive behavior, interpersonal, psychodynamic, couples and family therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. Our initial session is an opportunity to discuss what has brought you to therapy and what specific changes you would like to make in your life. After this appointment we will decide on what is the best way to continue. 

Therapy can be short or long term and will vary from client to client and I offer a sliding scale fee. 

Additionally I offer clients training in mindfulness-based skills as an adjunct treatment for psychotherapy.  The practice of mindfulness increases our capacity to respond rather than to react in stressful situations and supports the development of different perspectives when faced with emotional difficulties.  This is the opposite of being governed by anxious thoughts and feelings about the future or ruminating about the past.  By developing skills that strengthen an ability to have a present moment focus, we come see how often the mind is on ‘automatic pilot’.   Mindfulness allows us to see clearly that thoughts and emotions are transient events and loosens the hold that thinking and mood has on our choices and behaviors.  The outcome is a fresh and different perspective. 

I have been a psychotherapist since 1989 and my practice, Silver Birch Counseling and Psychotherapy is located in the town of Stowe in the heart of the Green Mountains, Vermont. I have served as a supervisor and consultant on a number of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) trials and am a published author in the training of health professionals in mindfulness-based approaches. I provide consultation and supervision to health professionals in mindfulness-based approaches and lead workshops and professional training programs in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).  
Contact Susan: (802) 253 2550
Email:susanlwoods@myfairpoint.net

Silver Birch Counseling and Psychotherapy offers:

Individual counseling and psychotherapy sessions
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction groups
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy groups
Mindfulness Meditation Classes
Mindfulness Meditation CDs
Consultation/Supervision for health professionals in mindfulness-based approaches