Susan Ackerman

Carrying anxiety, depression, or the weight of past trauma for a long time has a way of making it hard to imagine that anything could ever feel different. I am Susan, and helping people find their way to something different is the work I have dedicated more than 25 years of my life to.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in anxiety, PTSD and trauma, depression, ADHD, and family and relationship issues. I work with adults and seniors in individual, couples, and family therapy. My clients come to me with a wide range of experiences, from childhood trauma and chronic stress to grief, co-dependency, and bipolar disorder, and I bring a warm, non-judgmental presence to all of it. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives, especially those who have spent years wondering whether real, lasting change was actually possible for them.

After more than three decades in this work, I have seen what becomes possible when the right relationship, the right tools, and the right timing finally come together.

I believe therapy should feel collaborative, supportive, and personalized to your unique needs. My approach is client-centered, meaning we work together to identify your goals and create meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you. I'm here to listen with compassion, offer guidance when needed, and gently challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

I draw from a range of evidence-based methods, including short-term solution-focused therapy, CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, ACT, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, weaving them together based on what will serve you best. I listen with genuine compassion, and I will also gently challenge the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, because real growth requires both safety and honest reflection. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, and I hope they will grow positively while working together.

In our first sessions, we'll explore questions like: What would healing or progress look like for you? What is bothering you the most? What changes would you hope to see in your life? These conversations help guide our work together and ensure therapy is focused on what matters most to you.

There is no pressure to arrive with all the answers or a polished explanation of what is wrong. I am here to listen carefully, and to make sure you feel genuinely understood from the very first meeting. Clients should expect to feel heard and supported throughout our time together, starting from day one.