Susan Shouse

Susan Shouse is a licensed social worker with 26 years of clinical experience. She helps people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anger, anxiety, depression, or life changes. Her work also addresses addiction, grief, self-esteem, sleep and eating concerns, and relationship difficulties.

She creates a calm, non-judgmental space where clients can talk through what feels stuck. Sessions focus on practical steps and small changes that fit day-to-day life. She listens for strengths and builds on them so people can regain a sense of control.

Susan uses a blend of approaches rather than a single method. She leans on client-centered ways of working to follow each person’s goals. She also uses cognitive behavioral tools to spot unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to practice new skills.

Mindfulness and brief solution-focused strategies are woven into sessions when they match what a client needs. Motivational interviewing can help when someone is making changes around addiction or health behaviors. Susan adapts these methods to the pace and priorities of each person.

She is based in Michigan and works in a respectful, affirming manner with people of varied identities and backgrounds. The focus is on practical problem solving, clearer communication, and steady progress toward goals. Prospective clients are invited to consider whether this mix of direct skill work and supportive listening fits their needs.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy centers the person’s own goals and choices. In practice this means the therapist listens, reflects what she hears, and follows the client’s lead to set priorities and pace. This approach helps when someone needs acceptance and clarity about what matters most.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sessions involve spotting unhelpful thinking patterns and trying small behavior changes to see what helps. CBT is useful for anxiety, anger management, and mood shifts because it gives concrete skills to practice between sessions.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and grounding practices. These techniques can reduce reactivity and help with stress, sleep, and emotional regulation. They are often short exercises that can be practiced daily to support other therapeutic work.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will help identify which methods fit a person’s needs and goals, and adjust the plan as progress is made. Clients and therapist decide together what to try and when to change course.

For practical matters, confirm current session formats before booking since none are specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove the time spent traveling. Many people find these practical benefits helpful for maintaining steady work on their goals.