Dr. Sutha Johnson (PSY 33108) is a clinical psychologist who provides individual psychotherapy to adults. She specializes in cognitive-behavioral (including exposure treatments), psychodynamic, mindfulness, and other evidence-based treatments. Her expertise are in treating generalized and social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, perfectionism, trauma (e.g., sexual assault, adults with a history of childhood trauma, traumatic grief, and others), and body image and disordered eating (e.g., binge eating).

​Dr. Johnson obtained a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received extensive training in the science and art of providing psychotherapy. During this time, she trained in several clinical placements, taught psychotherapy skills and supervised beginner graduate students, in addition to conducting research examining the role of career and work in psychological wellbeing for adults. She also completed a predoctoral internship in psychology at West Virginia University. Here, Dr. Johnson developed expertise in the treatment of trauma using multiple modalities including prolonged exposure, shame resilience, sensorimotor, and cognitive and emotional processing. Dr. Johnson has also obtained an MA from University of Connecticut-Storrs and BA from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 

Dr. Johnson has accumulated an array of clinical and leadership experiences as a psychologist at the University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services and MARI Rackham Psychological Clinic as well as in private practice. With a commitment to lifelong learning, Dr. Johnson regularly collaborates with colleagues and keeps up-to-date with the science of psychology. 

Always seeking the elusive balance in life. Dr. Johnson can often be found rooting for her favorite sports teams or watching reality television, finding ways to be strong, active, and outside, painting, imagining her next travel adventure, and trying new restaurants with loved ones.

“When I reflect on what it means to be a psychologist, I feel genuine warmth, hope, and happiness radiate through me. It’s heartwarming to recall clients who have found inner peace to steady themselves in this restless world through connecting with therapy and themselves with compassion and courage.

If you’re here and reading my profile, then you may be struggling and considering support. Whether it’s anxiety, fear, confusion, doubt, distrust or anger, I want you to know when you’re ready, there is support available. Does support actually help? Yes, it can. I’ve seen it firsthand.  I’ve been practicing this art of psychotherapy for over a decade and have developed the skills to support you (based on scientific approaches) in a way that matches your needs and goals.

Clients and colleagues have described my approach as informed, unassuming, soft, confident, and transparent. They tell me my approach makes them feel they are talking to a real person: someone who will listen and ask questions, cheer on, challenge, and provide feedback or guidance. ​The collaboration between you and me is my favorite part of therapy. “I have your back” and “we’ll figure it out together” are my guiding philosophies. You can count on me to be interactive and engaged in each appointment. I tend to count on you to be an active participant in and outside of therapy. Those precious moments outside of therapy to practice, reflect, gain insight are absolutely part of the treatment with me. With in-therapy and outside of therapy engagement, most individuals can expect to find relief within 6-12 months of consistent treatment with me. My goal is to help you meet your goals, so you can complete treatment.

An important component of therapy being effective is – openly addressing thoughts, feelings, sensations or urges that may seem “unacceptable,” “unbearable,” “unimportant,” or “too much” to you. I won’t be fazed by these internal experiences, so you can exhale and let yourself be real with me. Once we can understand these internal experiences, we can start to understand how your behaviors and emotions are impacted. Any ineffective or confusing patterns are addressed, according to what you value or want to achieve. You set the direction, I will provide the guidance to get you there. The tools and techniques I will help you (re)build may be unfamiliar, but still within your capacity. If there are relevant past experiences that keep you unwillingly tethered, my expertise will help untether you and allow you to feel at peace and more often in the present moment. The past will then be in its place – the past. 

Something to know about the cornerstone of my practice – we’ll approach improvement in your mental wellness from a perspective of flexibility and curiosity (e.g., trial and error), rather than a strict “fix it the correct way the first time” mindset. The  body of scientific and anecdotal evidence is wide and deep to support the curious/flexible approach. Using your strengths and supports to keep you going is paramount. Along the way, we may laugh at something funny or celebrate something you achieved. I got you. Let’s get on this journey to your wellness together.”