Meet Our Therapists
Susan Balsamo
LCSW
Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been helping clients heal and work through difficult times since 2002. She earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work at Saint Leo University and her Master's in Social Work, along with a Graduate Certificate in Addictions, from the University of Central Florida in 2002.
Susan's treatment modalities include Cognitive Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. She specializes in grief, mood disorders, relationship and family difficulties, and chronic medical conditions. Susan also has vast experience working with caregivers and the geriatric population.
Whether you seek short-term solutions or need extensive time to process multiple issues, Susan would love to help you through your healing journey.
Therapy Services
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a structured, practical approach in which you receive guidance in identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns that impair your behavior.
This type of therapy is ideally suited for individuals struggling with:
Anxiety
Depression
Persistent negative thinking
When you learn practical strategies for reframing these thoughts, you develop better emotional regulation and healthier coping mechanisms that empower you to navigate life’s difficulties with clarity and resilience.
The ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) designation represents advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder across the lifespan.
This specialized care is ideal for individuals or parents seeking a practitioner with a deep understanding of ADHD's unique neurological and behavioral complexities.
Working with a certified provider at Pathways ensures you receive the most current, evidence-based strategies to
Manage symptoms
Improve executive functioning
Achieve lasting success in daily life
Solution-focused Therapy concentrates on your future goals instead of analyzing past problems. With this forward-looking approach, you’ll learn to identify the strengths and resources you already have to create immediate change.
This method, suited to individuals who want quick, goal-oriented resolutions to specific life challenges, empowers you to develop practical, actionable steps. You can overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful progress toward your ideal future by focusing on what currently works.
Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach that uses play as the primary language for communication. This allows children to express feelings they cannot yet articulate verbally.
It is ideally suited for children facing emotional, behavioral, or social challenges, such as trauma or anxiety. Through therapeutic play, children achieve the following:
Develop healthier coping mechanisms
Improve self-expression
Build emotional resilience
This fosters better behavior and stronger relationships with family and peers.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an evidence-based treatment, balances acceptance of your current reality with the motivation to change harmful behaviors. It is particularly effective for those struggling with:
Intense emotional swings
Self-harm
Trouble navigating relationships
Learning mindfulness and distress tolerance skills can help you build greater emotional stability and manage interpersonal conflicts more effectively. This creates a life worth living, filled with self-control and deeper connections.
Person-Centered Therapy places you at the heart of your healing journey. This approach creates an empathetic space for self-exploration and is ideal for anyone longing to connect with their true self and grow without feeling pressured or judged.
In these sessions, your therapist guides you to unlock your own inner resources. Here, the main goal is to achieve greater self-awareness, trust your instincts, and build self-acceptance.
Bereavement and Grief Treatment in Hernando County provides support that helps you navigate the acute pain of loss. This specialized therapy is for anyone struggling to cope with the death of a loved one.
Pathways Counseling Center is a safe, judgment-free space to process complex emotions. The intention isn’t to erase your grief, but to help you adjust to the loss while finding meaning and moving toward a place of acceptance and peace.