Susan Dawdy, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
I am currently dedicated to the developmental model. I am committed to this model of growth. As each member of a couple deepens in their capacity to know themselves and each other, I lean strongly into the felt sense of experience ( a practice to support mindfulness). I work with the three centers of thinking (the head) feeling (the heart) and embodiment (the belly), and work with the inner critic also known as the judge, or the super ego. The felt sense and the work with the judge and the three centers support the developmental capacity for differentiation which is so skillfully unfolded using the tools of the developmental model. My training with Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and the contribution from Neuroscience support the deepening and growing capacity for the relationship. With these tools in hand, I am grateful and privileged to witness the removal of barriers to loving those we love. Object relations theory is central to the work I do as well as the many decades of spiritual retreat with Buddhist and Sufi practice. I am the mother of four adult children including an adult with Down Syndrome. My family experience has been rich with obstacles, solutions, development, growth, and love. The continuing growth and development in all areas of my life has been profoundly impacted by differentiation that is at the core of the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy. It is a central support for becoming a fulfilled human being in rich and fulfilling relationships.
“There is a field out beyond right and wrong. I’ll meet you there.” Rumi
Susan Dawdy
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
CONTACT INFORMATION
Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley
1 Ashfield Street
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Testimonials
"My partner and I have been working with Susan, from the Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley, since the beginning of the pandemic – and honestly it saved our relationship. Her patient introduction to the developmental model and gentle, encouraging guidance through the differentiation process has helped us understand better who we are individually and thus grow stronger as a couple. Having a regular session, with Susan, where we can practice our listening and sharing skills, has been invaluable to building the relationship we wanted but didn’t know how to achieve." - J.W.
"Susan Dawdy, our CCofPV therapist, has saved our marriage…so far. She is an invaluable resource helping us navigate the differentiation stage of marriage. It’s Rilke all over, we are learning to be in turn “unapologetically ourselves” and “guardians of our [respective] solitudes”. We are able to keep the flame of hope lit as she shines a light on our humanity with a wealth of wisdom, experience, and deep empathy. Susan is a role model neither one of us got, helping us learn many necessary skills for a lasting and loving relationship. We continue to learn from her how to truly see and hear each other, she’s an enlightened master of those skills" - L & M