Susan Zuidema
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MDiv
LOCATIONS: Susan sees clients in Ancaster, Burlington, & online
Why Work with Susan?
Susan brings a grounded, compassionate presence shaped by decades of real-life experience.
She has lived experience in parenting, divorce, remarriage, teaching, and community advocacy for people facing homelessness, addiction, trauma, and mental illness. She understands how resilience is formed through adversity and meets clients with genuine respect, safety, and care.
In therapy, Susan creates a space where you feel heard and supported as you explore your challenges and strengths. Together, you’ll develop a plan that fits your needs and helps you move toward a full and meaningful life.
For clients who desire it, Susan can also integrate Christian faith—incorporating prayer and Scripture in a gentle, respectful way that supports whole-person healing: mind, body, and soul.
Susan's Commitment
I believe that therapy is most effective when you feel safe, heard, and truly understood. I aim to create that kind of space – one where you feel supported as we explore your challenges, strengths, and the resources around you. We’ll build on this to create a plan that fits your needs and helps you move forward.
As a Christian, I believe that healing is meant for the entire person: mind, body, and soul. For those who request it, I am prepared to respectfully integrate prayer and Scripture with other elements of your therapy.
~ Susan
Education
Master’s Degree (M. Div.) in Clinical Counselling, Tyndale University: Susan worked hard to prepare for clients who have experience trauma, taking electives in:
- The Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives in Trauma
- Therapy Interventions for Trauma, Abuse, and Violence.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Spiritual Care of the Dying and Grieving.
Training & Modalities
Susan is a lifelong learner, seeking to deepen her understanding of her client’s experiences, and enhance her practice and knowledge base.
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Training – COMPLETE. Extra courses:
- EFIT & Grief
- Transforming Trauma with EFIT
- EFIT: Attachment-based Interventions to Treat Trauma, Anxiety and Depression
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
- EFCT 5-day intensive (Tyndale University)
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) certificate (PESI)
EFCT supervision by Herman Chow
Certified Prepare & Enrich Facilitator
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Certification Training
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Intensive, CPT – An Evidence-Based Approach to Treat PTSD and Related Conditions
Internal Family Systems
- Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors
Other trainings
- Genesis Process Relapse Prevention (Addictions)
- ASIST suicide prevention
- Mental Health First Aid
EFT (EFIT/EFCT and the family model, EFFT) conforms to the very highest level – the gold standard – for its thorough research and effectiveness. It began as a therapy geared to couples work but its value and validity with individuals and families became clear over time. Read more about the research, which spans more than 30 years.