About Susan
Susan Rick is an Illinois-based licensed counselor (LCPC) who works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, ADHD, anger, bipolar symptoms, and identity concerns within the LGBT community.
Background and approach
She focuses on helping people build self-compassion, strengthen communication, and navigate difficult life changes while addressing specific issues such as panic attacks, mood disorders, isolation, and complex emotional patterns. With eight years of clinical experience, she combines evidence-informed methods to offer practical tools alongside a collaborative, empathetic stance.
Her background includes applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to manage symptoms, along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness practices to enhance emotional awareness and values-driven action. Susan emphasizes resilience building and skill development so clients can handle setbacks and move toward goals.
Sessions aim to blend insight with concrete strategies for everyday life, whether the work focuses on attachment wounds, impulsivity, forgiveness, or communication difficulties. She provides a steady, nonjudgmental presence while tailoring approaches to each client’s needs and preferences, helping them create sustainable change over time.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify personal values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and navigating life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like panic attacks, mood disturbances, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides practical skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for managing intense emotions and impulsivity.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to explore which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress is made and new challenges arise. This shared decision-making helps ensure the work feels relevant and effective for the individual.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging so clients can engage from locations across Illinois and at times that fit their schedules. These formats make it easier to maintain consistency in treatment, access timely support between appointments, and use therapy tools in real-life contexts.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Bipolar disorder
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Dependent personality
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Domestic violence
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- LGBT
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 8 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English