COMELO COUNSELING
Suzanne Fischer Comelo
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA MFT 131314)
Providing a Welcoming, Non-Judgmental Space for Healing
Are you struggling with the impact of anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, sensory processing sensitivities, relationship difficulties or major life changes? Are any of these arising in conjunction with neurodiversity (Highly Sensitive Person, Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, giftedness, various unique combinations)? Are you navigating your own unmasking journey or trying to recover from neurodivergent burnout? We all can use support to navigate life and it's varied environments at times.
As a neurodivergent therapist myself, I’d love to help you on your journey toward better understanding yourself and your unique needs to function more optimally in your life and the environments of your choosing. I have experience working individually, with couples and in groups, supporting people of varied ages from middle school through older adulthood, most from very diverse cultural backgrounds. I have supported clients including family members, with a wide range of needs and my focus areas include: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, unmasking, relationships, work stress, autistic burnout, life transitions, and neurodivergence. My practice emphasizes affirming support for late-diagnosed and self-identified clients.
Life can be overwhelming and exhausting, often forcing us to face changes welcomed or not. My goal is to help you understand yourself better and support you in navigating life's challenges and transitions in the manner you choose, and as healthy as possible.
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(Offering Telehealth in California and In-Person in Hayward, CA)
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About Me
As a neurodivergent therapist, I have navigated my life with various sensory sensitivities and a depth of processing, which came with unique capacities and limits that I later learned needed to be honored in order to engage in the environments I chose, while minimizing risk of nervous system overwhelm and burnout. My own journey led to a mid-life career change, from a profession riddled with overwork and high stress to managing my own private counseling practice, in which I am now able to use my strengths to support others, while honoring the common human need to maintain our overall health and well being in order to thrive.
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (131314), California
NPI: 1982126314
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EDUCATION
MA in Counseling Psychology
Golden Gate University
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ADDITIONAL TRAININGS, SEMINARS & EXPERIENCE
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The Internal Family Systems Model - Level I Training (Internal Family Systems Institute, Inc.)
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Theory of Mind: Therapeutic Implications for Clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PESI Training)​
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Neurodivergence Unveiled: Reframing Trauma, Identity, and Care for the Neurodivergent Client (PESI Training)
Autism Assessment Across the Spectrum: Strategies for Recognizing Functional Differences & Closing the Gender Gap
(PESI Training)
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Dissecting the Brain-Gut Connection to Address Sensorimotor Concerns for Autistic Children (PESI Training)
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Developing Core Competencies as an Autism Specialist through a Neurodiversity Lens (PESI Training)
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Navigating Autism with a Strengths-Based Mindset: Empowering Clients to Find and Develop their Strengths
and Thrive! (PESI Training)
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Masking in Autism and the Increased Risk for Suicidal Ideation: Internal Family Systems & Strength-Based Models for Identification, Safety Planning, and Treatment​ (PESI Training)
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Autism Interventions through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory: Improve Social Engagement, Increase Emotional Regulation, and Reduce Anxiety (PESI Training)
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DBT for Neurodivergent Clients: Adapted Techniques to Improve Emotional Regulation and Interpersonal Skills in Clients with ADHD, ASD, and more! (PESI Training)
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Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) (training)
Attachment-Focused Play Therapy (training)
Psychotherapy & Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs)
Mindfulness (four 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreats)
Effectively Supporting Safe & Inclusive Spaces for LGPQ-TI Clients & Colleagues (training)
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Crisis De-Escalation & Safety in the Field-Working with System-Involved Families
Transforming Stress & Trauma: Fostering Wellness & Resilience (training)
Grief Recovery Method (group participant)
Mindfulness & Grief (San Francisco Zen Hospice Center)
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Awakening Our Hearts: Exploring White Privilege to Build Authentic Relationships Across Difference
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Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom (Seminar)
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Connection Practice & Connection Experience (Rita Marie Johnson)(Seminar)
Family Paths Parent Support Hotline (training & past volunteer)
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AFFILIATIONS:
California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (Main, San Francisco & East Bay Chapters)
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A Bit About Therapy
Personalized Attention for Your Needs
I use an integrated, humanistic approach, drawing on various psychotherapy methods to help foster more self-understanding among clients and encourage them to adopt new attitudes and feelings about their life situations. Therapy is a healing process and it requires participation and investment from both client and therapist. I have experience using brief and long term models and, ultimately, even small changes to unconscious patterns and old coping behaviors can improve one's ability to cope with and enjoy life.
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"We don't have to do it all alone. We were never meant to."​ - Brene Brown
CONTACT ME
I love helping people reconnect with their own wisdom and develop the tools they need to better cope with life’s challenges and more authentically engage in life.
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Email me at scomelo@sfccounseling.com or use the BOOK HERE button below to schedule a free 15-minute phone consult to see if we would be a good fit.
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SUZANNE FISCHER COMELO
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (131314)
NPI: 1982126314
EIN: 88-3109687
COMELO COUNSELING
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Castro Valley Office (Thurs & Fri)
The Breilh Building
2811 Castro Valley Blvd
Suite 208
Castro Valley, CA 94546
(Parking lot in back; 2nd floor; no elevator)
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Hayward Office (Mondays)
The Linekin Building
22248 Main St
Hayward CA 94541
(Parking lot in front; 1st floor; accessible)
(510) 497-1516
