Susan Parmar
M.Ed.
Susan a Resident in Counseling specializes in working with young children, as well as their parents/caregivers who are seeking support in doing the hard work of raising children. As a former elementary school counselor, Susan has experience helping children and parents through the many developmental, behavioral, and socio-emotional issues of childhood. She uses a child-centered, attachment-focused approach in which therapeutic play is a means for helping children process and express feelings.
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Children are often referred for therapy because the adults in their lives have noticed concerning or disruptive behavior patterns. Susan's goal is to help parents and children discover the meaning behind those behaviors, and then address the underlying issues through play therapy sessions with the child and supportive coaching sessions with the parents.
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"Toys are the children's words and play is their language." - Gary L. Landreth. Through child-centered play therapy sessions, Susan can help you and your child understand and move through wherever they may be struggling or stuck.
About Me
After studying Child Development at Penn State University, I moved to Charlottesville to earn a Masters in Counselor Education at UVA. After working as an elementary school counselor in the Charlottesville City Schools for nine years, I took some time off to raise my two daughters and start a family photography business. I returned to school for post graduate classes at VCU and am now in my residency for counseling under the supervision of George Enfield. I participate in a weekly Object Relations- oriented consultation group, and I continue to work toward becoming a registered play therapist.