{"id":123,"date":"2026-07-10T17:27:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T17:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/windycityclients.com\/mandalacs\/?page_id=123"},"modified":"2026-08-11T17:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T17:19:14","slug":"about-susan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/windycityclients.com\/mandalacs\/about-susan\/","title":{"rendered":"About Susan"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

Susan Gibbons, LCPC<\/h2>\n

Read Susan\u2019s Bio<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Susan Gibbons, LCPC<\/b>, is an integrative, trauma-informed therapist trained in EMDR and Certified Clinical Trauma treatment. She works with clients navigating anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and PTSD, helping them heal old pain and reconnect with their truest selves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

My Approach to Counseling and Psychotherapy<\/h5>

I view counseling as both a privilege and a partnership between my clients and myself. There is no more important journey than healing the pain within that hurts, discovering the joys of who you are, creating meaning and purpose in your life, while simultaneously enabling the expression of healthy emotions, developing more secure relationships, and managing life's stressors.<\/p>\n

I work as an integrative therapist, drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities tailored to each client's specific needs and goals. I am a trained EMDR therapist<\/b> and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)<\/b>, and I bring a trauma-informed lens to every client relationship \u2014 whether we're working through anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, PTSD, or complex PTSD.<\/p>\n

I believe our life's journey is ultimately a journey toward our truest self \u2014 one that takes real courage, since life often layers over who we are with experiences that make deeper self-exploration feel unsafe. My role is to walk alongside you as a steady, trustworthy companion, helping you meet the obstacles along the way \u2014 many of which we won't recognize until the journey has already begun.<\/p>\n

As James Finley writes, \"When we risk sharing what hurts the most in the presence of someone who will not invade us or abandon us, we unexpectedly come upon within ourselves what Jesus called the pearl of great price: the invincible preciousness of our self in our fragility\" (Finley, 2018, Invincible Preciousness<\/i>, Center for Action and Contemplation). That is the space I hope to offer you here.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

History and Credentials<\/h5>

Born in Buffalo, New York, Susan originally trained in Molecular Biology and spent nine years working in the biotech industry. After marrying David and relocating to the UK, she transitioned into the field of sustainability, continuing that work after the couple returned to the United States. Eventually, a growing passion for psychology led her to a new path: she enrolled at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies to earn her Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, a clinical program that integrates faith and spirituality. She graduated with honors as a member of Alpha Sigma Nu.<\/p>\n

Susan completed her clinical internship at Stenzel Clinical Services in Wheaton, IL, from June 2021 to June 2022, and was subsequently hired by the practice, where she provided clinical counseling at both the Wheaton and Schaumburg offices. She has been providing mental health counseling to clients since 2021 and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Illinois.<\/p>\n

Susan joined David Gibbons at Mandala Counseling Services in Barrington, IL, in 2024, bringing her integrative, trauma-informed approach \u2014 including specialized training in EMDR and as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional \u2014 to the practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Individual Therapy Can Help With...<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Trauma\/PTSD<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Anxiety<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Depression<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Grief & Loss<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Attachment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Identity<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Co-dependency<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Life Transitions<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Start the Conversation<\/h2>\n

Let's connect and get you on the right track.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

330 E. Main St,
Barrington, IL, 60010
Suite #207<\/p>\n

Offering both online tele-health sessions and in-person sessions at our office location in Barrington, IL<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>