Susan O'Connell , LCSW

Susan O'Connell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of practice in Wisconsin. She began her career focused on addictions and expanded to a wider set of concerns. She meets people where they are and helps them find strengths to make change.

Susan has long experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship struggles. She has worked with people affected by substance use and the families around them, and she also helps those coping with chronic medical issues and caregiver strain.

Her approach is practical and collaborative. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other methods to help people notice patterns, try new behaviors, and track progress. Education and short assignments between sessions are often part of the work.

Susan pays attention to life stage issues like midlife transitions, aging concerns, blended family challenges, and career or financial stress. She also addresses intimacy, commitment, codependency, and problems tied to family of origin.

People who turn to her often want straightforward guidance and a partner for problem solving. Sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can fit different schedules and needs. She practices in Wisconsin and works in English.

Approaches used in online sessions and how they help

Susan draws on Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through what matters most to them and identify personal strengths. This approach helps when someone needs support to clarify values or make tough choices.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT can help with anxiety, depression, addiction-related patterns, and stress by teaching concrete skills and small behavior changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels practical, then adjust methods as the relationship and needs evolve. Decisions about techniques are collaborative rather than fixed.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation; phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quicker check-in is needed. Live chat and text are helpful for steady check-ins, brief coaching, or when shorter written conversations fit a schedule. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or busy days.