Susan Essich-Kruse , LICSW, LISW-CP

Susan Essich-Kruse is a licensed clinical social worker with twenty years of experience helping people through life’s hard moments. She holds an MA and practices as an LICSW and an LISW-CP in South Carolina. Her approach begins with listening and recognizing each person’s strengths. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, and depression with simple, practical steps. She also supports those navigating relationship strain, parenting challenges, and major life changes. Women’s issues are a noted area of focus in her work. Her style is calm and client-centered. She believes clients know their stories best and works alongside them to set realistic goals. Sessions aim to build on what already works for the person while trying new strategies when needed. Susan uses mindfulness tools to help people stay present and reduce overwhelm. She also brings systemic ideas to look at patterns in relationships and family roles. These approaches are used to improve communication, cope with grief or loss, and manage mood problems. New clients can expect a straightforward process to get started and a practical focus in sessions. Conversations are paced to match what the client needs that day. Over time the goal is clearer choices, less reactivity, and more effective ways to handle daily stressors.

How client-centered and systemic approaches work online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, respect, and helping people make choices that match their values. In online sessions this means the therapist follows the client's lead, asks about what's most important, and helps set clear, achievable goals. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple practices to bring attention back to the present moment and reduce stress and anxiety symptoms; these exercises can be taught and practiced during video or phone sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, daily routines, and what feels most useful, then suggest techniques to try. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made as progress is reviewed over time.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for people with busy schedules or limited local options. Video calls approximate in-person conversation and allow sharing worksheets or guiding mindfulness practices. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is low or when being on camera is difficult. Live chat and text-based messaging provide quick check-ins, short reflections, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit help into a workday, manage short check-ins, or practice skills between meetings.