Susannah Cecil

My name is Susannah Cecil, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, owner & Clinical Director of Affinity Counseling and Wellness, PLLC. We offer individual, group, couples and family counseling, and serve a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds.

My clinical experience includes varying ages (children, adolescent/family, adults), and group work. I have a great deal of experience with evidence-based treatments for mood disorders, anxiety/OCD, binge eating disorder, grief & loss. In addition, I developed Integrative Restorative Yoga, a group therapy model for chronic stress, anxiety/depression, emotion dysregulation, and body image concerns.

My approach is cognitive-behavioral in nature, using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), eye movement desensitization & reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). I offer the benefit of extensive training & comprehensive experience: Advanced EMDR Certified (EMDRPT-II) for anxiety/trauma; the ‘gold standard’ treatments of Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder. For clients with a stated preference, I offer faith-based counseling using these same treatment approaches from a Christian perspective.

Professional Development / Certifications

  • American Counseling Association, Professional Member
  • Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor: NCBLCMHC #S2047
  • National Certified Counselor: NBCC #27964.
  • EMDRPT-II®: Certified Advanced EMDR Therapy Skills (Level II), Mind Works Professional Education, Inc.
  • Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT): Yoga Alliance #155366.
  • Group Exercise Instructor, Pilates Instructor, Silver Sneakers MSROM, Silver Sneakers Yoga Stretch I, II; Livestrong Cancer Survivorship Exercise Trainer.

Education

  • Wake Forest University, BS, Health & Exercise Science; Minor, Religion, May 1990, Cum Laude.
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro, MEd, Community Counseling, May 1992.

Additional Training

  • EMDRPT-II®: Certified Advanced EMDR Therapy Skills (Level II)
  • Suicide Prevention Summit:  Suicide Intervention and Treatment, 2023
  • Wise Practice Summit: Building a Faith-based Practice in a Diverse World -Knowing Yourself and Loving Others, 2023
  • EMDR Certificate Course: Assessment, Resourcing and Treatment Techniques for Trauma and Anxiety, 2019
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy: April 2016; March 2017; March 2018.
  • Yoga & Mindfulness Therapy: Mind-Brain Change for Anxiety, Moods, Trauma, and Substance Abuse: September 2015.
  • 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Sunrise Yoga, Registered Yoga School, 2014.
  • Writing with Pat: 5-Day Intensive Writing workshop with world renowned Founder of Amherst Writers & Artists (Pat Schneider), June 2011.