Susan Stone (She/Her)
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Online in California, Colorado
(Online Only)
I work with adults from every walk of life and in diverse circumstances. What nearly all have in common is that they tell me that things don’t feel manageable anymore. Life has gotten out of hand, and feelings like anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and disappointment seem to be taking over – if they haven’t already. Some might think they are “going crazy!” Others feel selfish because they crave self-care and a break from never being enough.
My job (and privilege) is to come alongside you to provide support, feedback, and help you better understand things and make plans to improve things. Sometimes, I will validate feelings that you’ve discounted or point out challenges you’ve grown so accustomed to that you brush them aside, even though they are part of what trips you up. Together, we’ll gain perspectives and insights about how to make things better.
In session, we will review the week for clues about what to focus on. We will talk about how things went and how they could have turned out better. I’ll ask many questions, listen a lot, and work with you to identify options for improving life. You’ll tear up sometimes, but you’ll be surprised how often we chuckle.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult
Demographic Expertise: Christian, Men, Military / Veterans, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) A short-term approach focused on improving relationships and social support. It is often used for depression and grief.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Object Relations Therapy Focuses on how early caregiver relationships shape current relationships. It aims to improve patterns of attachment and trust.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Self Psychology Explores the development of self-esteem and identity. It emphasizes the importance of empathy in healing.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: At the core of my approach is my awareness that understanding our personal history and how it may impact our current experiences is profoundly valuable. However, I also believe insight and hindsight alone don’t fix things. Coping requires wisdom learned from the past, creative problem-solving, and courage in the present. We have a responsibility to our present selves to persevere: to find our bootstraps and build the muscles needed to cope and prosper.
Drawing on psychodynamic theory, family systems frameworks, and principles of developmental psychology, I typically use cognitive-behavioral, narrative, solution-focused, and insight-oriented interventions.
So, with a nod to your past – and understanding it as the place and time you learned to be you - we will work together to help you manage the present.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee $160
- Accepts Insurance
- CALIFORNIA: Aetna, Cigna, BCBS of Massachusetts (Virtual Network). COLORADO: Aetna, Aetna Allied Benefit System, Aetna AmeriBen, Aetna CoreSource, Aetna EBMS, Aetna GEHA, Aetna Gravie, Aetna Marpai, Aetna Meritain, Aetna WebTPA, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (HMO), Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO), Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield - Pathway, Centivo Ellwood Group, Cigna, Cigna HealthPartners, Cigna TPA, Cigna-EAP, Foster Source, Justice Reskill Benefit Network, Lucent Health - Summit County Government Plan, Optum - Carveout, Optum/United-EAP, Oscar Health Plan, TriWest, United All Savers, United GEHA/Shared Services, United HealthScope Benefits, United Healthcare (CO), United Healthcare Golden Rule, United Oxford (CO), United Student Resources (CO), United Surest, United UMR, Velocity National Provider Network. Please confirm your health insurance benefits with the carrier. Out-of-network and self-pay can be accomodated.
Education & Credentials
Susan Stone M.A., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Female
- License # Colorado: MFC0001034. California: MFTC31503
- Licensed in Colorado & California
- Practicing Since 1990
Education: B.A., Psychology, Pitzer College, Claremont, CA. 1988
M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy, Philips Graduate University, Chatsworth, CA. 1990
Susan Stone Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of California, Colorado
- Online Therapy Details: Telehealth therapy is offered via a HIPAA compliant secure online platform.
Susan Stone, LMFT, provides treatment to adults presenting with diverse mental health disorders and life challenges. In practice for over 30 years, her specialties range from anxiety to depression, trauma to life transitions, and self-esteem and boundary issues to imposter syndrome and work-life balance. She takes an evidence-based and personalized approach, relying on family systems, psychodynamic, and developmental psychology principles to inform cognitive-behavioral and narrative therapy interventions. Sessions are typically once weekly, and treatment planning is collaborative and unique to each individual. An initial consultation is required (and free!) so you can “try on” the goodness of fit in the therapeutic relationship before committing to treatment. Intakes are typically available within one week.