For Professionals

CAREER

Sue Alvey began her career by earning two Mental Health Counseling graduate degrees (M.Ed.- Master of Education and Ed.S.- Specialist in Education). She worked in geriatric settings from the beginning and has served people from all walks of life, in non-profit and corporate settings and from midlife through end-of life.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Sue sees psychotherapy as an art – blending skill, professional and personal experiences that are individualized for each unique client. Her current psychotherapeutic approach is holistic and focuses on facilitating the proactive process of change as well as adapting to external changes throughout the second half of life. The primary modalities she utilizes are a blend of top-down and bottom-up approaches ranging from CBT, ACT and DBT to Mindfulness, Behavioral Activation, Positive and Strength based and trauma informed therapies.

EXPERTISE

Sue’s extensive geriatric experience and training in the phases of aging bring expert care and guidance to her clients.

  • Hands-on experience counseling clients and families through the changes, adaptations and decisions involved in the aging process from midlife through end-of-life support.
  • On the floor walking and talking with clients diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson’s, strokes, depression and anxiety in settings such as Adult Day Care (9 years) and retirement communities (7 years).
  • Counseling families in the care of their loved ones and themselves in all of these settings including running caregiver and grief support groups with the Alzheimer’s Association, in retirement communities, and religious organizations.
  • Multi-disciplinary team participation including healthcare (MD, RN, PT, OT, Speech) and operations (resident services, IL, AL, Memory, SNF, housekeeping, marketing, security, wellness) as well as providing health care advocacy across multiple health care organizations.
  • She has provided presentations to the community, residents, and colleagues her entire career and is available to consult with organizations to provide lectures, workshops or staff in-service training.

ENDORSEMENTS

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  • “It has been my honor and pleasure to know and work with Sue for the last 3 1/2 decades. Sue possesses that rare and exquisite combination of top-notch training and experience with profound heart and depth. Her practice addresses critical needs that often go unmet.” Jomary Hilliard, Ph,D.
  • “For years, Sue has brought to our work together a perfect blend of professionalism and human compassion. In the complex field of geriatric mental health, both skills are so essential!”. Michael Priddy, Ph.D.
  • “In the 4+ years I’ve worked alongside Sue, she never failed to impress me with her commitment, compassion, and deep sense of caring for our shared patients as well as the profession. One of the unique qualities she possesses is her ability to create deep, meaningful, very human connections with clients (and colleagues) which results in clients feeling truly seen and understood. The combination of clinical acumen, compassion, life experience, patience, and a fundamentally good and kind heart has driven her successful support and treatment with over 100 clients at my practice.” David Giella, Psy.D.