Providing innovative therapy to adults, teens, and families, as well as parenting consultation and community presentations
Therapy
Looking for relief, understanding and learning healthy strategies in a safe, supportive, relational way?
Parent Consultation/Coaching
Community Presentations
Seeking a speaker for a community or school event? If you are looking for someone to speak about parenting…
Hello! I’m Susan (she/her).
Most of my clients seek therapy and or parent consultation because they are feeling stuck, dissatisfied, and/or reactive in their day-to-day life. They often say that they feel something is missing, feel alone or seek understanding as to why they do what they do.
I work with many clients to help them feel less alone, increase a sense of agency/competency, develop tools for dealing with emotional regulation, decrease symptoms and develop a better sense of self.
Welcome to West Acton Psychotherapy and Consultation, I’m Susan Lerner, Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, and I help clients develop insight and change so that they are living fuller lives.
I look forward to hearing from you, slernermsw@gmail.com, 978.761.2484.
My Approach
I am the owner of West Acton Psychotherapy and Consultation and a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. With my psychotherapy practice, I serve adolescents, adults, couples and families whose lives have been impacted by adversity. I specialize in trauma, dissociation and attachment therapy, and provide parent coaching and consultation. In addition, I also provide clinical supervision/consultation. I love presenting to schools and community organizations on a wide range of parenting topics.
Much of the focus of my work is helping people heal from trauma, both relational and cultural. I am sensitive to the impact of racism, sexism, homo/bi/transphobia, ablism and religious bias/discrimination and it is integral part of how I think and work.
Therapy
I believe that for therapy to be helpful, meaningful and transformative you need to feel comfortable and well-supported. Much of the focus of the beginning of treatment is building a relationship in which you feel seen, heard and understood. It is from this place that we can work on symptom reduction, exploring what you brought you to therapy and beginning to make links between ongoing themes and the feelings, thoughts and sensations associated with these themes. I develop a foundation of trust with you by taking time to really get to know you, listening to the issues important to you and together, determining the underlying themes. I use a range of innovative and evidenced-based therapies and attachment models.
Parent Coaching / Consultation
I integrate parent-child psychotherapy models, 30 years of clinical experience, and my own experience from parenting my three children to help parents develop important parenting skills that enhance a sense of competency, purpose and enjoyment. Through coaching, I help families understand each other, strengthen their ability to connect, accept one another, and develop a sense of playfulness, security and love.
I received my Master of Social Work from Boston University in 1988 and have extensive experience in individual and family therapy, supervision and consultation. I am committed to ongoing training and consultation in order to continue to learn and grow so that I can provide you with a meaningful therapeutic experience.
About Me
I have always been interested in people’s life stories, responses and decisions. Why do people cope in such different ways? What makes people develop their perspective? How do relationships with others develop into healthy, meaningful ones and others not? Understanding human nature has always made me curious and led me to my journey as a therapist. Through my study and work, I believe that we are shaped most by our primary relationships, especially with our caretakers. Our experience of being parented shapes thoughts and feelings about self, others and the world. So our past impacts how we deal with current life experiences, how we function in the day-to-day and how we relate to others.
Looking for relief, understanding and ways to learn healthy strategies in a safe, supportive, relationally focused way? Contact me for a free 15 minute consultation to tell me a bit about what you are looking for, learn more about how I work and determine if this feels like a good fit for you. At that point we will either schedule an appointment or I can make recommendations and or referrals to other therapists or programs.
My clients tend to be reflective and insightful and are looking for either relief and/or understanding of their behavior, responses and relationships. Together we look at how past experiences are impacting current life functioning and relationships. In order to gain understanding and create changes that promote strength, healing and choice, they are motivated to make connections between their actions, feelings, thoughts and sensations.
Blog
Parenting Presentations
I love talking about parenting and helping parents gain more enjoyment in their relationships with their children (as well as feel more competent as a parent!) Between the books and "friendly" advice from family, friends and schools, it is hard to figure out the best...
How do I work?
The focus of my clinical practice is working with clients who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. We have learned a great deal over the last decades about both the impact of childhood trauma as well as what is helpful in healing from adverse childhood...
What to expect from therapy
You've picked up that phone and made the appointment and now are likely wondering what to expect from therapy in general, and especially your first appointment. I will greet you in the waiting room , offer you tea from the tea bar, and show you into my office. After...
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
My office is located at Wellness at Villageworks in West Acton, 525 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton. There is free parking on the street as well as a parking lot behind the building.
What is your availability?
I am in the office on:
Mondays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
How often do we meet?
We will schedule a regular weekly time to begin.
What should I expect at our first session?
You’ve picked up that phone and made the appointment and now are likely wondering what to expect from therapy in general, and especially your first appointment. READ MORE
How do you work?
The focus of my clinical practice is working with clients who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. We have learned a great deal over the last decades about both the impact of childhood trauma as well as what is helpful in healing from adverse childhood experiences and what is not. READ MORE
Do you take insurance?
I do not accept insurance, however, I am happy to provide you with a monthly or quarterly invoice, which you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network benefits if they offer this.
What are your fees?
1st session: $300
75 minutes: $300
55 minutes: $250
45 minutes: $225
60 Minutes Consultation/Supervision: $200
Please note that all parenting consultation, couples/family therapy appointments are always one hour.
Individual therapy can be scheduled for 45 or 55 minutes.
EMDR sessions are 55 or 75 minutes.
How long will I be in therapy?
That is an important question and really depends on the issues that bring you in and your therapeutic goals. I’ll have a better sense of this after we have met.
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