PuttingFamilyFirst

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

SF Portrait of Dr. Susan Frauenholtz
Online therapist

Dr. Susan Frauenholtz

Compassionate, practical therapy for life’s challenges

Book with Susan
Credentials
LISW, LCSW
Experience
20 years
Licensed in
Iowa, Virginia, Utah
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Susan

Dr. Susan Frauenholtz brings a client-centered approach to therapy. She focuses on listening first and then helping people find practical steps toward their goals.

Her style is warm and straightforward, geared toward parents and adults facing stress, anxiety, grief, life changes, or parenting challenges. She holds LISW and LCSW licenses and has two decades of clinical experience. Her sessions start with understanding what matters most to each person.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors.

Background and approach

Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels stuck or unsure about change. Narrative and Solution-Focused techniques help reframe stories and identify concrete next steps. Over 20 years she has supported people dealing with trauma, addiction, depression, bipolar symptoms, and caregiver stress.

She also addresses concerns such as sleep and eating problems, anger, career issues, compassion fatigue, and seasonal mood shifts. Cancer and women’s issues are listed among additional focuses. Practically, sessions can be done by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging, which gives flexible options for busy schedules.

International clients who speak English are welcome. Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, a short matching questionnaire is completed and then a session is scheduled according to therapist availability.

Her approach emphasizes collaboration, clear goals, and small steps that fit daily life.

Approaches that fit busy lives and parenting needs

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgment and building a strong working relationship. It helps people feel heard and clarifies what they want to change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors connect and teaches simple skills to shift unhelpful patterns, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and sleep or eating concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to test methods and adjust based on goals and preferences. That means trying practical tools, tracking what helps, and changing course when something does not fit.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into family and work routines. These options let people connect from home, manage shorter check-ins, and keep continuity when schedules change or travel arises. The combination of clear techniques and flexible formats aims to make progress possible even with a busy life.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem issues, coping with life changes, addictions, LGBT concerns, relationships, family matters, eating and sleeping problems, parenting, anger, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, depression, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. Additional focuses include cancer, caregiver stress, forgiveness, life purpose, seasonal affective disorder, self-love, and women’s issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused techniques to set goals and try practical changes.
How long has she practiced?
She has 20 years of clinical experience working with a range of mental health and life concerns.
Where is she licensed and located?
She is licensed in Iowa and Virginia under the credentials LISW and LCSW, and currently lists Utah as her location. Licence details include IA LISW 06146 and UT LCSW 13834085-3501.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients who use that language.
What session formats are available?
Sessions may be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
20 years
Licensed
Iowa, Virginia, Utah
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Susan

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point
Book with Susan