Staff Member

Suzzette Garcia, MA, LPCC, is the Project Director of Suicide Care Policy and Health System Transformation at the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention at EDC, where she leads national initiatives to advance evidence-based suicide care, health system transformation, and behavioral health policy. In this role, she collaborates with healthcare leaders, policymakers, payers, and cross-sector partners to strengthen suicide prevention strategies and improve access to high-quality behavioral healthcare across the United States.

As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, behavioral healthcare executive, and doctoral candidate in organizational psychology, Suzzette brings more than a decade of experience in behavioral health leadership, systems transformation, regulatory compliance, and program development. Her work has focused on designing and scaling trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavioral health programs while advancing workforce development, clinical quality, and health access initiatives.

Prior to joining EDC, Suzzette served as an executive leader and nonprofit board member for California’s professional association representing Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, where she helped advance behavioral health policy, workforce development, community-centered initiatives, and professional standards for mental health professionals statewide. She collaborated with legislative, healthcare, and community leaders to strengthen access to behavioral healthcare and support system-level change across California. She has also held executive and clinical leadership roles across outpatient, intensive outpatient, and community-based behavioral health programs throughout California, leading multidisciplinary teams, accreditation readiness efforts, and large-scale quality improvement initiatives.

Raised in California’s Central Valley, Suzzette’s lived experience shaped her commitment to social justice, suicide prevention, and improving behavioral healthcare systems for underserved communities. Suzzette is a recipient of the Audre Lorde Voice and Vision Award for Outstanding Social Justice Advocacy and an American Psychological Association Minority Fellow. She is recognized for her leadership in integrating neuroscience, cultural responsiveness, and evidence-based practices into clinical and organizational settings. Her work continues to center on creating sustainable systems of care that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and improve mental health outcomes nationwide. Suzzette earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from National University and her master’s degree in clinical counseling from Alliant International University. She is currently completing her doctorate in Organizational Psychology, with a research focus on artificial intelligence applications and ethical implementation in behavioral healthcare.