Clinical Director
Email: sguido@second-story.org
Phone: 703.356.6360
Susie started her connection with Second Story in 2005, when she completed an internship requirement at the shelter for youth in crisis. She earned her clinical mental health counseling graduate degree from Virginia Tech, and in 2009, she passed the Virginia state exam and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. As the Clinical Director, she makes sure that evidence based interventions are used to assist clients with making positive changes in their lives.
Adolescence and young adulthood are pivotal points in one’s life, and success is determined by how one manages these transitions. Susie believes that counseling assists with improving the quality of life through strengthening individuals and their families. Mental health is often overlooked due to the stigma attached; however, by providing a safe, secure, and nonjudgmental environment, Second Story allows youth to focus on effectively adapting to life’s challenges.
Susie was born in West Virginia, and at three months of age moved to Khartoum, Sudan, with her parents because her father worked for the State Department. Her family eventually moved back to the United States, and she has lived in the Northern Virginia area for the majority of her life. Early in her career, helping others was her avocation. She volunteered with many local agencies working with homeless and at-risk populations. She finally decided to pursue a helping profession as a career.