Susan has been there for me during the most challenging time of my life. She is caring, helpful, non-judgemental and always responsive.
Susan Cristol, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Susan is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Susan. View 8 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
Susan is a very careful listener who helps me to pay better attention to myself and the people around me. I'm glad I'm visiting her!
More about Susan
- 15 years' experience
- Female
- LMFT
When a therapist is welcoming and non-judgmental, it is much easier to seek help. I am passionate about working with clients to find more effective communication strategies. You can make positive changes in your life. There are ways to regulate anger and anxiety and I can help. I can also show you the path toward healing unresolved grief and loss, as well as trauma. These issues can keep you from living your best life without shame and sadness.
I have spent most of my working life in a helping profession. I have been providing counseling for 14 years. Before becoming a licensed therapist, I had a career as a special education teacher. That experience informs my work today whether I am working with children, adolescents, couples or adults. I stay current on clinical research and the many writings in the areas of psychology, sociology and marriage and family therapy. My specialized training includes (but not limited to) cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma and abuse, domestic violence and play therapy. I look forward to meeting potential clients and joining them in their path toward becoming their best selves and living their best lives.
I have an eclectic toolbox that includes many aspects of different psychological theories and interventions. At the beginning, there is an assessment process taking place for the first few sessions. I determine at that time what drawer in the toolbox would work most effectively. I may have the client complete certain questionnaires as part of the assessment. Throughout therapy, there is a fine tuning of the process.
It is important to mention that during the initial phase of therapy, the primary focus is on meeting the client where they are. This is a collaborative relationship that is driven by the direction the client needs to go and my experience and knowledge in helping them get there. I am very curious and observant, as every good therapist should be. Some of the therapies I utilize are Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic and Narrative. We can certainly go into greater detail about these orientations when we meet.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Grief
Depression
ADHD
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Body image
Caregiver issues and stress
Communication problems
Control issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Susan Cristol's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1720260649.
- LMFT · California · 48371 · Expires October 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for Susan Cristol
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Susan has been there for me during the most challenging time of my life. She is caring, helpful, non-judgemental and always responsive.
Susan is a very careful listener who helps me to pay better attention to myself and the people around me. I'm glad I'm visiting her!
Susan is very understanding and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
I've been very happy with Sue as a therapist. She is supportive, sensible, knowledgeable; but also does not hesitate to speak truth to power. Her insights are thoughtful and she guides me to figure out my own solutions. She is a good match for me & I highly recommend her.
To say she’s a great therapist is an understatement. She’s such an incredible human alone. I have so much respect and love for her. She’s insightful. Her advice is the medicine to cure the problem. Her perspective on things really is brilliant and has opened my mind on deep rooted problems that I only saw through tunnel vision. I’m so grateful for being matched with her. Since knowing her, I feel at peace and with her making me feel like I’m not alone because she never fails to be there when I feel I need to talk, it has helped me be stronger mentally. I feel like she’s truly taught me how to handle anything that comes my way in a more logical and healthy manner. She has this energy and vibe that makes me feel comfortable opening up about things I’ve never imagined I could talk about to anyone. Susan is the best.
Susan is a great and caring listener. Highly recommend.
Sue is a very warm and patient therapist, who does her best to help her clients. I found her very easy to open up to. She’s also very accommodating and tries her best to work with your schedule. Highly recommended if you need a sympathetic ear and a supportive partner in helping you heal.
This is the first time that I’ve been with a therapist who actually feels like they see and hear me. I have so much excitement for what’s to come.
Frequently asked questions
Does Susan Cristol offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Susan Cristol works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Susan Cristol speak?
Susan Cristol speaks English.
How many years of experience does Susan Cristol have?
Susan Cristol has 15 years of experience.
Where is Susan Cristol licensed to practice?
Susan Cristol is licensed to practice in California.
Does Susan Cristol accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Susan Cristol does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Susan Cristol offer?
Susan Cristol offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Susan Cristol?
Susan Cristol can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Susan Cristol?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.