PuttingFamilyFirst

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SS Portrait of Susan Schwerd
Online therapist

Susan Schwerd

Focused practical help for family stress

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Credentials
MD, LCPC
Experience
24 years
Licensed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Susan

Susan Schwerd, MD, LCPC brings 24 years of clinical experience to family and parenting concerns. She works with people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and ongoing medical or pain issues. Susan aims to help parents and families find clearer ways to respond when life feels overwhelming.

She offers practical skills like breathing and self-hypnosis that can be used at home. She trained in counseling psychology and later moved from agency work into independent practice after serving in leadership roles.

Background and approach

Her background in human resources also shaped a coaching approach for personal and professional growth. Susan blends several methods in her sessions rather than using a single model. Susan’s style is rooted in psychodynamic ideas while drawing on solution-focused and other brief interventions.

She helps people notice the patterns that keep them stuck and then practice new responses. Hypnotherapy and clinical hypnosis are used at times as adjunct tools to address pain, anxiety, and sleep problems. Sessions can include teaching self-hypnosis and breathing techniques to manage symptoms between meetings.

Susan also has experience working with veterans and people affected by serious illness and injury. She practices in Maryland as a licensed clinical professional counselor and holds an MD degree. Her approach centers on practical change and emotional understanding.

Parents and caregivers seeking clear strategies and reflective support may find this combination helpful for handling family stress and life transitions.

Approaches that translate to online work

Psychodynamic Therapy looks at how past experiences shape current reactions. In online sessions this helps uncover repetitive patterns that affect family life and relationships. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, achievable changes and short-term goals. It is useful when parents or caregivers want concrete steps to improve daily routines and communication.

Susan will work collaboratively to find the right mix of methods. Together they will discuss needs, goals, and preferences and then try approaches that fit the family situation. Adjustments are expected as goals evolve, and the therapist helps clients track what is most helpful.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility for busy households. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation without travel, while phone sessions provide a simpler option when screens are impractical. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to check in between sessions or get brief coaching for immediate concerns. These formats can help maintain continuity of care and make it easier to practice strategies like self-hypnosis and breathing techniques at home.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Exploring how earlier relationships and patterns still shape the present, often over a longer stretch of time. It relies on conversation and reflection rather than exercises.

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 concerns does she help with?
Susan supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, sleep problems, career strain, compassion fatigue, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on chronic pain, cancer and medical illness, communication problems, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, panic, and veteran-related issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style mixes psychodynamic thinking with practical, solution-focused moves. Sessions aim to identify repeating patterns and then practice new, manageable ways to respond.
What is her clinical background?
She has practiced for 24 years and began in outpatient mental health settings, including leadership roles. Previously she worked ten years in human resources, which informs her coaching work.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is listed as MD, LCPC with licence details MD LCPC LC2134 and practices in Maryland.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What formats are used for sessions?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for sessions.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
24 years
Licensed
Maryland
Languages
English

Next step

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