Susan Sparks
Supportive family-focused LCSW
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
- Format
- Online sessions
About Susan
Susan Sparks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who focuses on family and parenting concerns along with a broad range of youth and adult issues. She aims to make therapy a straightforward experience for worried parents. Sessions are designed to address problems like anxiety, behavior struggles, sleep and eating issues, and parenting challenges in clear, practical ways.
Susan brings ten years of clinical practice and more than three decades of community involvement.
Background and approach
She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois in 2011 and became an LCSW in 2013. Her background includes work with children of all ages in multiple settings, and she draws on that experience when supporting families. Her approach adapts to each person's needs.
She uses evidence-based techniques that match the issue at hand. In sessions she helps families build skills, try new routines, and reduce conflict through steady, concrete steps. Therapy with Susan often includes skill teaching, behavior strategies, and age-appropriate methods for children.
She also uses mindfulness practices and holistic supports to help manage stress and emotion. Parents can expect guidance on practical changes they can use at home. Sessions are offered in English and based in Illinois.
Susan works with individuals, children, young adults, and families, and she emphasizes strengths each person already has. The goal is to reduce immediate problems and build tools families can use long after sessions end.
Evidence-based techniques and online therapy options
Susan uses a few well-established approaches in sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors to reduce anxiety or depression. Play Therapy and age-appropriate behavioral techniques give children ways to express feelings and learn new skills through guided activities.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with families to choose methods that match the child’s age, the family’s goals, and what feels doable at home. Plans are adjusted over time based on how well strategies are working.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy families. Video calls let therapists observe interactions and coach parents in real time. Phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provide shorter check-ins and ongoing support between meetings. These options can make it easier to fit therapy into a child's schedule, reduce travel, and keep progress moving forward.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
What is her general therapy style?
How many years has she practiced?
What credentials and location apply?
Which languages are supported for therapy?
What session formats are available?
How are costs handled?
How do I begin working with her?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also works with
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Sleeping disorders
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
Next step
Talk to Susan
- Takes a few minutes
- Nothing to set up just to look
- Stop at any point