Susan Mellema, LCSW - Therapist in Illinois

About Susan

Susan Mellema is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with 30 years of experience. She focuses on family and parenting concerns and works with people facing addictions, trauma, grief, and related challenges. She believes clients know their own stories and brings a steady, respectful presence to help them move forward.

Seeking help can feel hard, and she aims to make that first step easier. Her approach is practical and rooted in clear conversations.

Background and approach

She listens first, then helps identify small, realistic steps people can try between sessions. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to spot unhelpful thinking and from solution-focused work to build on what is already working. Motivational interviewing is part of her style when someone is weighing change, and trauma-focused methods are used when past events need to be addressed.

Susan draws on experience with adoption and foster care issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and substance use concerns. She also attends to family of origin patterns, communication problems, and feelings like guilt or shame. Her practice includes support for people managing cancer-related and first responder stresses as well as multicultural considerations.

Sessions are offered in English and conducted online through a mix of video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Cost varies with location and is arranged through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, users complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

Susan aims to support and empower clients as they work toward clearer communication, safer coping, and healthier family connections. She emphasizes collaboration and respects each person’s pace when making changes.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit family life

Client-centered therapy means the therapist follows the client's lead and treats the person as the expert on their life. This approach is useful when someone needs a respectful space to talk things through and decide what matters most to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify patterns of thinking that get in the way and teaches practical skills to change those patterns. It often helps with anxiety, low mood, and coping with stressful family situations.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist discusses goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they try methods that feel right and adjust as needed so the work stays useful and manageable for the client and their family responsibilities.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging offers flexibility for busy family schedules. These options make it easier to fit sessions around parenting, work, and caregiving duties. Many people find shorter text-based check-ins helpful between longer video or phone sessions to keep progress on track.

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 kinds of problems does she address?

Susan focuses on family and parenting issues and also works with addictions, trauma and abuse, and grief. Additional areas include adoption and foster care, blended family issues, caregiver stress, and communication problems.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is client-centered and practical. She listens first, then helps set small, realistic goals using tools from cognitive behavioral and solution-focused approaches.

What is her background and experience?

She holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential and brings 30 years of professional experience working with family-related and related behavioral health concerns.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She is licensed in Illinois with the credential IL LCSW 149.011313 and works with clients from that location.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled for therapy?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I start working with her?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Addictions
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 30 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English

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