Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Bukinik.
Hi Suzanne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I came to psychotherapy as my second act. My first career was in the television industry — work that was fun, creative, and deeply rewarding. After two decades, however, I felt ready for a change. I wanted to do something that felt more personally meaningful and aligned with how I wanted to contribute to the lives of other people.
I opened my private practice, Suzanne Bukinik Therapy, with the goal of helping people become the best versions of themselves. There’s so much messaging from our culture telling people they’re not good enough as they are. This comparing mindset is destructive and draining. I want to help people remember that no matter where they are in their journey, what has or hasn’t happened in their lives, even how much hurt they’ve experienced or caused, healing, growth and self-acceptance are always available.
A major focus of my practice is working with couples. I’m currently completing certification in Relational Life Therapy (RLT), a powerful, dynamic form of therapy developed by best-selling author and therapist Terry Real. RLT is direct, fast-moving, and deeply effective. It’s incredibly meaningful to witness couples reconnecting, healing, and moving from simply surviving to truly thriving — both in their relationships and in their individual lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One challenge is dispelling the belief that it is the job of the therapist to nod knowingly and agree with everything that is being said. Part of the art of doing therapy is knowing when it is appropriate to offer resistance to our patients. I am a big believer in being lovingly direct and specific with people in order to promote personal growth. And when the moment allows, I like to bring humor into the room. There’s something powerful about being able to laugh, even briefly, in the midst of pain. Humor can be a gift and a bridge to healing.
A newer challenge we face as therapists is the growing reliance on AI platforms for what some are calling “therapy.” While these systems can provide a sense of comfort or instant validation, they tend to offer unwavering support without the depth or discernment that true change requires. That kind of feedback might make someone feel better for a moment, but it rarely helps them get better in the long run. At best, it keeps people stuck in place. At worst, it misses the quiet signs of serious distress that only another human being could catch
Therapy, at its heart, is an encounter between two people—a living, breathing exchange. There’s no algorithm that can replicate the transformative power of genuine human connection.
As you know, we’re big fans of Suzanne Bukinik Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
First, my background in the entertainment industry gives me a unique perspective on the complex pressures and vulnerabilities that often accompany creative or high-profile careers. I understand the rhythm of that world—the demand for constant reinvention, the public scrutiny, and the delicate balance between visibility and privacy. It also means I’m deeply comfortable working with well-known individuals and handling those relationships with the utmost care, sensitivity, and discretion.
Second, I’m known for my directness. My clients often tell me they appreciate that I don’t just listen—I engage. I share my honest reflections in a clear but compassionate way, and I consider myself an active participant in the work.
Finally, I remind my clients that while emotions are deeply meaningful, they aren’t always accurate narrators. Every feeling is real, but not every feeling is true. Understanding that distinction can be liberating. It allows us to honor our emotions without being ruled by them, and to make choices guided by insight rather than impulse.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My professional and personal life experience, hard earned wisdom, and belief in personal transformation are essential ingredients to my success as a psychotherapist.
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Rachel Borkow
