Individual Counseling

Individual Counseling

The challenges that can come with time may compromise healthy aging, and cause us to feel isolated and depressed. If you aren’t living the life you desire, we’re here to help.

For a referral to one our mental health professionals,
Please contact Care Manager Martha Hernandez, LCSW or call her at 949.715.8104

“Feeling the Blues”

Mental health — our emotional, psychological, and social well-being — affects how we think, feel, make choices, and relate to others. It is essential to our quality of life and healthy aging. If you find yourself becoming isolated and depressed, we can help you learn coping strategies you are comfortable with to enhance your sense of vitality and connections with others.

“Feeling the Blues” — Susi Q’s individual counseling program — provides up to 14 sessions of free, confidential counseling with a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In-person or by phone/Zoom, our therapists help their clients develop coping strategies that help them manage issues such as loneliness, a reduced sense of purpose, health issues, relationships with family and friends, and financial pressures.

For a referral to one our mental health professionals, please contact Care Manager Martha Hernandez, LCSW or call her at 949.715.8104

Meet Our Therapists

Kathleen Wenger, MA, LMFT, LPCC

Clinical Supervisor at the Susi Q Senior Center
Kay has more than 30 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage, Family and Individual Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She works with adults and adolescents who are suffering from anxiety and depression. Her practice embraces individual and couples therapy and marital counseling. Kay is the founder of Laguna Beach Counseling, has managed the M.A. Psychology Clinical Training and Professional Development Program at Pepperdine University for 32 years, and is the CEO of the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists. She is passionate about helping others get the support they need.

Clint Christie, MA, LMFT

Clint received his MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in 1999. Clint also studied at the University of California Irvine where he earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology & Law. In his practice, he offers individual therapy and leads support groups in grief and loss. A native of Orange County and a longtime Laguna Beach resident, Clint enjoys working with our senior community. He adds additional value to our counseling program with his fluency in Spanish.

Diane Fisher, MA, LMFT

Diane holds an MA in clinical psychology and a BS in business management from Pepperdine University. She is certified in grief and bereavement counseling and has spent time as a hospice volunteer. Diane is trained as a caregiver group facilitator for Alzheimer’s of Orange County and maintains a private practice in Newport Beach. She also enjoys teaching as part of the adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University. She is excited to be part of the mental health services team here at the Susi Q.

Anne Schroeder, LMFT

Anne has been in private practice over 30 years. She encourages clients to look at past relationships as parents and partners to better understand what has and hasn’t worked for them in their lives. By enabling clients to identify their strengths and vulnerabilities within a boarder context, she can help them to resolve specific problematic issues. By fostering resiliency, she guides clients forward on their journey of self-discovery, happiness, and life balance.

Signe Schiavo, MA, LMFT

With an MA in Clinical Psychology and emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy, Signe provides individual, couples, and group therapy to help clients improve interpersonal relationships and daily functioning. She works closely with her clients to help them feel empowered and find a positive path to growth and well-being. Among her areas of focus are adults with depression, anxiety, and grief caused by divorce, parenting, relationship issues, and loss.

Andrea Deerheart, PhD, ELP

Dr. Deerheart is the passionate founder of The HeartWay, a non-profit dedicated to “Embracing Life through Honoring Death.” She is the author of “Yoga Nidra: Graceful Transitions” and “Elli’s Ride: Death beyond Imagination.” Her focus is on aging, radiant well-being, loss, death, and dying. Through the HeartWay, she offers diverse programs that explore the how lessons learned near death can nurture a more loving and compassionate life. Dr. Deerheart is a certified Yoga Nidra Master Teacher, and leads the Death Café discussion group at the Susi Q.

Sandra R. Cohn Weiss, PhD

Sandra earned an MA in Child Development in 1970 from Cal State Long Beach and a PhD in Psychology in 1990 from the California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles. Sandra has 35 years of experience working with cancer patients and their families, facilitating mother-daughter healing workshops, coordinating educational programs, and supervising interns. At the Susi Q, she facilitates our Living Well with a Chronic Illness support group. Its members, she tells us, are women and men who carry the wisdom of the ages and relish the gifts of loving support and shared experiences.

Vivian Clecak, MA

Vivian Clecak served as a therapist and program director at the South County Department of Mental Health from 1971-1978. She opened her private therapy practice in 1977. In 1981 she became the founding executive director of Human Options: Alternatives for Abused Women and their Families, guiding the organization through significant growth for 34 years. Since retiring, Vivian decided to try new paths, put her therapy license on hold, and has focused on coaching non-profit women leaders and facilitating Guided Autobiography and Grief Support Groups at the Susi Q.

Skip to content