Your Therapist
I’m passionate about helping people work through the barriers that stand in the way of a full and meaningful life.
Susan Zuidema
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MDiv, BEd, BAMy path has been shaped by decades of life experience – parenting, divorce, remarriage, years of teaching, and advocacy for those facing homelessness, addiction, trauma, and mental illness. I’ve seen and experienced firsthand how resilience grows in the face of challenges.
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.
Attachment: My Primary Lens
Working with a psychotherapist who understands and uses an attachment lens means your relationships—past and present—are taken seriously. This approach helps uncover how early connections shape the way you relate, cope, and connect today.
By exploring these patterns with compassion and clarity, therapy becomes a space where deeper healing, emotional security, and lasting change can unfold.
I’m actively working toward certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals and couples (see below). I’m always seeking to deepen my understanding of my client’s experiences and enhance my practice to better support those I work with.
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. Read more about faith integration here.
Education
I hold my Master's Degree (M. Div.) in Clinical Counselling from Tyndale University. I focused my studies on going deep into trauma, studying the Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives in Trauma and Therapy Interventions for Trauma, Abuse, and Violence. I have also taken courses in Emotionally Focused Therapy (see below) and the Spiritual Care of the Dying and Grieving. Tyndale’s Clinical Counselling program focuses on Family Systems and includes training in core modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, something I have studied more independently and also use in my work with clients. Working with a therapist who has training at the master's level ensures you are seeing someone with adequate preparation to care for your clinical needs.
Training & Modalities
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy Training (EFIT)
- EFIT levels 1 & 2
- EFIT Consultation
- EFIT & Grief
- Transforming Trauma with EFIT
- EFIT: Attachment-based Interventions to Treat Trauma, Anxiety and Depression
- EFIT supervision in progress (supervised by Herman Chow)
- Read more about EFIT
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
- EFCT 5-day intensive through Tyndale University
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) Certificate: Start-to-Finish Training and Live Consultation – in progress
- Read more about EFCT
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Certification Training
- Advanced DBT
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.