Susan O'Connell, LCSW

Susan O'Connell is a licensed clinical social worker with 35 years in practice. She works from Wisconsin and brings long experience with addictions, depression, stress, anxiety, and grief. Her work also covers caregiver strain, chronic medical concerns, and relationship and intimacy-related struggles.

She meets people where they are and helps them notice strengths they may be overlooking. Sessions focus on clear, manageable steps that fit into daily life. She often uses teaching and short assignments between meetings to extend progress beyond the session.

Susan draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered techniques to help people identify unhelpful patterns and try small behavior changes. She also uses Solution-Focused ideas to set short-term goals and track practical gains. Her approach emphasizes collaboration and realistic plans rather than quick fixes.

Her background began in addictions work, helping both people with substance use concerns and their families. Over time she added support for depression, trauma, caregiver fatigue, and other stress-related issues. That history informs a practical, steady style aimed at lasting change.

She encourages people to be honest about what they need from therapy and to set goals that matter to them. If scheduling needs include evenings, she asks clients to check therapist availability and select someone whose hours match their needs.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so people feel understood and can find their own solutions; it helps with self-esteem, relationship questions, and long-term life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and uses practical exercises to test new ways of acting and thinking; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on small, achievable goals and the steps that move a person toward them, which can be helpful when time is limited or concrete problems need solving.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has helped in the past. From there she and the client pick methods and adjust them as progress is tracked.

The therapist's biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, and medical appointments. They can reduce travel time, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and help people continue steady work on goals from home or between errands. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT, Client-Centered, and Solution-Focused techniques to remote work while focusing on clear steps and practical homework that fit everyday life.