Susan O'Connell, LCSW - Therapist in Wisconsin

About Susan

Susan O'Connell is a licensed clinical social worker with 35 years of experience. She practices in Wisconsin and brings long experience helping people cope with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, and family concerns. Her style is straightforward and practical.

She aims to meet each person where they are and support them through hard moments. Susan began her career focused on addictions, working with both the person using substances and their family members.

Background and approach

Over time she has broadened into areas such as caregiver stress, chronic medical issues, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related concerns. She also addresses issues like self-esteem, career stress, life transitions, and ADHD. In sessions she emphasizes building on strengths and creating small, doable plans.

She uses education and short exercises to extend progress between meetings. Clients can expect clear guidance and homework when it fits their goals. Susan relies on established methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

She keeps current with new ideas in the field and adapts approaches to each person. Her goal is to help people feel less alone and more capable of making the changes they want. Appointments are offered through video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Sessions are arranged via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, with scheduling based on therapist availability.

How Susan's Approaches Translate to Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and working at the person’s pace. It helps when someone needs acceptance and support to sort out feelings and priorities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress because it includes practical skills and small exercises to try between sessions.

Solution-Focused Therapy targets specific goals and the steps that lead there. It is helpful for people who want quick, concrete changes and clear plans.

Susan sees finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as work progresses.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls let a person have face-to-face time without travel. Phone, live chat, and text-based messaging give extra flexibility for short check-ins or days when sitting for a full session is hard. These options help people maintain continuity of care while managing work, family, or health demands.

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.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

Susan works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, relationship and family concerns, and caregiver and compassion fatigue.

What is her therapy style like?

She uses a practical, strengths-based approach and helps people make small, doable plans. Sessions often include explanation and short exercises to practice between meetings.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 35 years of experience in social work and behavioral health, with early work in addictions and long experience across related areas.

What credentials and region are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Wisconsin with license number WI LCSW 3011-123.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

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 depending on what the person prefers.

How are fees and payment handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 35 years
Licensed: Wisconsin
Languages: English

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