Susanne Slay-Westbrook

Biography

Susanne Slay-Westbrook is a forty-year seasoned therapist. She is a LPC-S and LMFT-S and a member of AAMFT and ACA, as well as a board member of the Austin Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Over her career as a therapist, she has worked with the intellectually challenged, young children in low income areas, the physically challenged, adults and children with both psychiatric and addiction issues, persons dealing with death and dying and other grief issues, as well as with couples, families and individuals dealing with trauma and interpersonal conflict. These collective experiences led her curiosity and awareness into the study of the healing power of genuine respect in peoples lives.

In 2001 Susanne authored a book, A World of Respect: A Guide to Making It Happen, which developed the early formation of what would become the basic tenets of Respect-Focused Therapy.

Her latest work is a research monograph on Respect-Focused Therapy published by Routledge. This book is specifically for academics and clinicians in mental health. It introduces the working construct of respect as a central theme in the therapeutic relationship and process.

Susanne lives in Austin, TX with her husband.

Education

BA, Psychology; MS, Mental Health

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

I bring  forty years of clinical experience to the table. I am fortunate to have worked in a variety of settings with a broad range of clientele. I have worked with the intellectually challenged, young children in low income areas, the physically challenged, adults and children with both psychiatric and addiction issues, persons dealing with death and dying and other grief issues, as well as with couples, families and individuals dealing with trauma and interpersonal conflict. I am a LMFT and LPC-Supervisor and have presented at many conferences and workshops over the years. I taught a Marriage and Family Therapy course as an adjunct faculty member.

Personal Interests

I enjoy painting and being a part of the artist community. i really like jazz, good character-driven movies and novels and am a self-confessed political junky. i like good food and good company, not necessarily in that order.

Books