MEET SUSAN ALLENDER, PHD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Helping you unlock your potential & nurture your growth.
Therapist In-Person in Danbury & Online Across Connecticut, New York, & PSYPACT-Eligible States
I work with teen girls & women of all ages who…
Put enormous amounts of pressure on themselves to be “perfect” or do things “right” and beat themselves up for even the smallest mistake
Feel unfulfilled by their friendships and relationships, and worry they are the problem
Have trouble relaxing because their mind is always spiraling with worries of worst-case scenarios or disturbing thoughts that feel uncontrollable
Are struggling to focus, stay organized, or retain information at school or work, and want to be better at planning and time management
Overanalyze every social interaction, often losing sleep because they can’t stop thinking about whether they might’ve said something wrong or offensive
Are overwhelmed with responsibilities, but still struggle to say “no” when people ask things of them
Your voice deserves to be heard. I’m ready to listen & help you get what you want out of life.
My Approach
Together, we’ll break the cycles you’re stuck in & celebrate every win along the way.
In sessions with me, you’ll find a warm and compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can feel safe to be completely yourself. I’ll take the time to get to know you—not just your struggles, but who you are as a person, your experiences, and the relationships that have shaped you.
I believe in being honest and genuine throughout our work, and I’m not afraid to call you out when I see you holding back or falling into old patterns.
At the same time,
I’m intuitive and attentive, able to pick up on the small things that matter and adjust our work to fit what you need in the moment. We’ll move at whatever pace you’d like, especially when it comes to exploring painful or difficult experiences. A lot of these patterns form in our early childhood relationships, and we unknowingly repeat them in our current relationships to try and heal. Together, we’ll trace your current issues back to their source so you can process and move forward. I’ll sometimes use humor when it feels right, because laughter can be healing, too. Whether we’re celebrating your successes or tackling something tough, my promise is to be there beside you the whole way through.
Beyond our sessions, I’m committed to working closely with any other providers you’re seeing—like physicians or psychiatrists—to make sure we’re all on the same page and collectively supporting you in the best possible way. I’ll keep a close eye on how you’re doing, including any medications you might be taking, and always advocate for what’s best for your overall well-being. Through the work we do together, my hope is that you’ll not only gain a deeper understanding of yourself but also feel more confident, worthy, and ready to embrace the happiness you deserve.
Some methods I draw from include…
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We’ll explore your early relationships and experiences to understand how they’ve shaped who you are today. By looking at patterns in your relationships and understanding what’s most important to you, we can uncover what might be holding you back and work together to heal those old wounds. This healing is only possible if we first build a trusting connection with one another, which we’ll spend a good amount of time doing before we dive deep.
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We’ll use the insights we gain from exploring your past to better understand your thoughts and behaviors, identify patterns, and find practical tools to make positive changes in your life. By choosing actions that align with your values, you can start to feel better and move forward.
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Similar in many ways to CBT, this method is especially helpful for people who feel emotions very intensely and need strategies for coping with stress and maintaining stability in their lives. It involves learning tools to stay grounded and improve relationships.
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ERP is considered the gold-standard method for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Together, we’ll face your fears gradually, helping you build confidence and lessen anxiety by learning how to take back control from those fears. Through this process, you’ll be able to break free from patterns that are keeping you stuck.
Training & Education
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Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Wesleyan University.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Capella University
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Fielding Graduate University
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Fielding Graduate University
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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Buried in Treasures: Understanding and Treating Hoarding Disorders, 2019
Neurofeedback in Clinical Practice Training, 2014
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), December 2014
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Training, January 2011
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American Psychological Association
Connecticut Psychological Association
PSI CHI National Psychology Honor Society
It’s time to realize your worth & claim the life you deserve.
Click the link below to request an appointment. I offer sessions in person in Danbury and online across Connecticut, New York, and all PSYPACT-eligible states. To see if your state is eligible, click here.