ILGive

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

SE Portrait of Susan Etter

Susan Etter

Experienced clinician for anxiety and trauma recovery

About Susan

Susan Etter offers compassionate, experienced care for people coping with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, and life transitions.

Background and approach

With 15 years of clinical practice, she focuses on helping clients identify patterns such as abandonment and attachment concerns, communication or control issues, and feelings of guilt, shame, or isolation. Susan aims to guide clients toward greater self-love, clearer purpose, and improved social confidence.

Licensed as an LCPC and LPC, she creates a welcoming space where thoughts and emotions can be explored without judgment. Her approach emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, supporting each person to take the difficult first steps toward change.

Clients work together with Susan to build skills for coping, address post-traumatic stress when present, and reconnect with what matters most in daily life. Practicing from Illinois, Susan is available in English and offers multiple session formats to fit different needs.

She frames therapy as a process of discovery and growth, helping clients move from stuck patterns toward more resilient, intentional living.

Evidence-informed approaches and online care

Many of the methods Susan uses draw on evidence-based techniques that help people manage symptoms and rebuild coping skills. Cognitive strategies focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and developing more balanced thinking, which can reduce anxiety, low mood, and social fear. Trauma-informed techniques address the effects of abuse and post-traumatic stress by helping clients process distressing experiences at a pace that feels manageable.

Susan views finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She works with each client to determine which techniques best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds so the work remains practical and meaningful.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in that process, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Those formats make it easier to schedule consistent sessions around daily life, maintain momentum between meetings, and access licensed professionals from home or work. The variety of session types supports different communication styles and helps clients build skills in ways that feel most comfortable for them.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does this therapist address?
Susan focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes, and also works with concerns like abandonment, attachment, and social anxiety.
How would sessions with this clinician feel in terms of approach?
Therapy centers on collaboration and empowerment with an open, nonjudgmental atmosphere where thoughts and feelings are explored and practical coping skills are developed.
What background and experience does the therapist bring?
The clinician has 15 years of professional work experience supporting people through trauma, mood concerns, and life transitions.
Where is the therapist licensed and based?
She is licensed in Illinois and holds credentials as an LCPC and LPC with license details IL LCPC 180.011174 and WI LPC 11186-125.
Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats does the therapist offer?
Appointments can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different preferences and needs.
How is pricing handled for therapy with this clinician?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.