Susan Bender, MA, CAGS

Prior to joining the team full-time at Think Happy Live Healthy, Susan worked as a school psychologist in the preschool, elementary, middle, and high school setting in Northern Virginia. Throughout her career, she has worked in public schools that have students with diverse cultural, linguistic, and social-economic backgrounds. Susan specializes in conducting individual counseling, leading psychoeducational groups, administering comprehensive psychological evaluations, providing behavior and/or academic intervention consultation with school staff, and providing consultations to parents around the special education process. In addition, Susan has experience in working with Spanish-speaking families by providing bilingual assessments and consultations with parents regarding their child’s social-emotional development and needs.

Susan provides a holistic, goal-directed, and evidence-based approach to help the client achieve a thorough understanding of their individual needs. By challenging negative thoughts or behavioral patterns, she strives to help them identify and build on their strengths, develop problem-solving skills, coping skills, and resilience. 

Susan earned a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Family Studies. She earned her Master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from George Mason University in School Psychology. Furthermore, Susan is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and has pursued additional training in the areas of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma Informed practices, and other evidence-based curriculums. She has supported children, adolescents, young adults, and their families with a variety of needs including (but not limited to): ADHD and executive functioning, Autism Spectrum Disorders, anxiety, depression, social skills, and learning disabilities. Susan is a Resident in School Psychology and is working to obtain licensure under the supervision of Christine Willing.

During her free time, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. She also loves to travel, try new food, and explore new places.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Anxiety

Depression

ADHD

Autism

Learning Disabilities