Susan Bearden, MS, LMHC, LMFT, QS

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Susan is a Florida native.  Her journey toward mental health and wellness began when she was a young girl in middle school when she took an interest in learning about psychology.  In high school, Susan attended Miami Senior High School's secondary education teaching magnet program and then attended Florida International University where she majored in Women's Studies and minored in English Literature and Psychology for her undergraduate studies.  At this time, Susan had a strong interest in the social sciences and advocating for cultural diversity and equality.  Out of college, Susan went to work for a nonprofit organization in Miami that focused on violence prevention and mentoring at-risk youth in inner-city schools.

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In 2010, Susan pursued a graduate degree at Barry University in Mental Health Counseling and Marital, Couples and Family Therapy.  During her time there, she continued to work with at-risk youth and led student organizations, until it came time for her to complete her clinical and internship.  Susan took a turn toward holistic wellness, mindfulness-based practices, and health psychology, and completed her internship with the Cancer Support Community of Greater Miami.  After earning her master's degree, Susan continued to work with the Cancer Support Community of Greater Miami.  She also worked as an Adjunct Professor in social sciences at Miami Dade College, a therapist at a residential eating disorder treatment center, and as an outpatient therapist.

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In 2014, Susan moved to Orlando and worked at the University of Central Florida's Marriage & Family Research Institute under a federal grant program.  When the grant study ended, Susan returned to outpatient counseling practice and in 2016, Susan founded the nonprofit organization, Agape Therapy Institute.  Since 2016, Susan has focused her efforts on growing Agape Therapy Institute's counseling services for the community and establishing a training program for counseling graduate students in training and post-graduate counseling interns under supervision.  Being able to help people and make a difference in the community is Susan's passion.

In Susan's spare time, she likes to spend quality time with her family and friends, and her dog, Jeffrey.  She also enjoys reading non-fiction books about wellness, exercising and practicing mindfulness and yoga.

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Areas of Specialization:

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Cognitive & Mood Disorders
Depression, Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety, Panic Disorders
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Past Childhood Trauma
Borderline Personality Disorder
Grief & Loss
Relationship & Communication Problems
Marital & Couples Therapy
Psychosomatic Disorders
Chronic Illness
General Stress & Wellness
Clinical Supervision for Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns, Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Interns, and Master's Level Therapists

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Treatment Modalities:

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Humanistic / Person-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic & Analytical Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness
Internal Family Systems
Somatic Experiencing Therapy
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Solution Focused Therapy
Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)
Imago Relationship Therapy