- Stress and anxiety
- Family of origin issues
- CBT and DBT methods
About Susan
Susan MacDonald is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Rhode Island with 14 years of experience. She works with adults dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life changes. Her work includes attention to family of origin issues and communication or codependency struggles.
Susan keeps sessions straightforward. She listens to what feels most pressing and helps people sort priorities. She uses clear, evidence-informed techniques to address symptoms and patterns that repeat over time.
Her approach blends client-centered conversation with practical skills from cognitive behavioral therapy. That means clients talk through how they think about situations and then try small, concrete changes. She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy strategies for managing intense emotions and on mindfulness exercises to reduce rumination.
Susan helps people notice habits that came from family roles and expectations. She guides them in testing new ways of relating and setting boundaries. Work often moves between understanding where patterns started and practicing different behaviors in daily life.
Sessions focus on what a person wants to change next. She supports problem solving for parenting stress, separation or divorce-related transition, feelings of emptiness or isolation, panic and obsessive patterns. Conversations are paced to fit each person's needs and readiness.
Clients who prefer practical coaching alongside reflective discussion may find this blend helpful. Prospective clients are asked to confirm current session options and scheduling details before booking.
How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions
Susan commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in her work. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes to reduce anxiety and low mood. DBT provides concrete tools for managing strong emotions, improving distress tolerance, and refining communication in stressful moments.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. She discusses goals, symptoms, and preferences in early sessions and adjusts methods as needed. Clients and therapist decide collaboratively which strategies to emphasize and when to practice skills outside sessions.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as current options are listed when you begin the scheduling process. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or daily routines. They also allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight or sessions that do not require being on camera, depending on the supported formats. These practical benefits help people maintain consistency while working on family patterns, anxiety, mood, and relationship behaviors.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Rhode Island
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
Susan works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, and life changes. Her practice also focuses on family of origin issues, codependency, communication problems, and related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
She combines client-centered conversation with practical, skills-based methods. Sessions include talking through patterns and practicing new behaviors between meetings.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 14 years of professional experience as a mental health counselor working with adults on mood and relationship concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
Susan is a Rhode Island Licensed Mental Health Counselor (RI LMHC) based in Rhode Island.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Do you accept international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Prospective clients should review rates before scheduling.
How do I begin?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.