Suzie Newman, LCPC, ATR-BC, Clinical Supervisor

Pronouns - she/her

Please note: Suzie is currently not accepting new clients.

Approach to Therapy:

I see therapy as a space where humans can practice connection and reconnection with themselves and with another in a safe therapeutic relationship. I believe we learn and thrive in connection and that human suffering is influenced by disconnection from self and others. This disconnection can stem from a myriad of places, including trauma, abuse, social stigma, and oppression. These factors collectively influence our lived experience in the here-and-now, including our emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationships, body image, and various other aspects of our emotional and physical wellbeing.

Within my approach to therapy, I bring compassion, creativity, humor and warmth. I strive to create an open and non-judgmental environment where the “hard stuff” to talk about can be explored, and the feelings that accompany the exploration can be held with curiosity. 

Theoretically I draw from cultural-relational, psychodynamic, DBT and ACT approaches. I value transparency and collaboration and talk openly with clients about approaches, adapting them as needed. If desired, art making can be incorporated into sessions to support client goals- ranging from self soothing, insight and meaning making, enhancing mind-body connection, creating visual reminders to take outside of sessions, and more. 

Clinical Interests:

I provide individual therapy for pre-teens, teens, young adults, and adults. I am passionate about helping individuals in their relationship with their bodies. This includes working with clients in recovery from eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and avoidant restrictive feeding and eating disorder (ARFID).  In addition, I work with individuals around body image, identity exploration and development, sex and sexuality, chronic pain, anxiety, depression and trauma. I also have experience supporting clients through difficult life transitions, including grief and loss. 

With all clients I use intersectional and Health at Every Size (HAES) frameworks and honor how your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, size, socioeconomic status and religion intersect with one another and impact you. As a queer-identified woman, I am an affirmative practitioner for clients who identify as LGBTQ+. 

Education and Training:

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a Concentration in Art Therapy from Endicott College and a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois and a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). I have training experience in a variety of settings, including hospice, community mental health, college counseling, inpatient chronic pain treatment, and IOP, PHP, and residential eating disorder treatment. I am currently pursuing my Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential through the International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP).

3 Things I Love:

Painting, baking, and playing tennis!

Suzie can be reached at suzie@amandaatkinschicago.com.