How Susan works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCPC
- Licensed in
- Maine
- Years in practice
- 17
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Susan
Susan Ryder is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who brings 17 years of experience to her work in Maine. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and major life changes. She also supports those facing addiction concerns, compassion fatigue, and issues around intimacy and relationships.
Susan centers sessions on each person’s own story and strengths. She listens first, then helps clients identify small, practical steps they can try between sessions.
Background and approach
Her style blends goal-focused tools with listening that values a client’s lived experience. Clients meet to talk through current problems and develop clearer routines and coping skills. Cognitive-based techniques are used alongside conversations that reframe how people tell their own stories.
Motivational strategies help when someone feels stuck or uncertain about change. Susan has worked across a wide range of concerns, including caregiving stress, blended family issues, grief and end-of-life topics, postpartum depression, and seasonal mood changes. She brings steady, experienced support for people navigating divorce, communication breakdowns, and isolation.
In sessions she aims for straightforward language and practical plans. People often leave with clear next steps and tools they can practice at home. Susan encourages honest questions and adjusts her approach to match individual goals and pace.
What Susan works with
Everything Susan lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Susan's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Postpartum depression
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Susan lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapy approaches translate to online care
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s own priorities and perspective. The therapist listens closely and helps clients find their own solutions, which can be useful for worries about anger, confidence, or life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks bigger problems into smaller parts by linking thoughts, feelings, and actions. This approach provides concrete exercises that people can practice between sessions to reduce anxiety or manage mood.
Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels unsure about change. It uses short, focused conversations to uncover personal reasons for moving forward and to build momentum for small steps.
Choosing the right mix of these approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to pick methods that match their goals, pace, and comfort level. Together they will try tools and adjust the plan based on what helps most.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging. Video is good for face-to-face interaction and longer work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging fit quick updates, brief coaching, or times when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into busy days and to keep progress moving forward.
Questions people ask about Susan
What kinds of problems does Susan help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, parenting strain, and life transitions.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions mix client-centered listening with goal-oriented techniques such as cognitive behavioral work, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused planning.
How long has she been practicing?
Susan has 17 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed as an LCPC in Maine and provides services from that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How are fees and getting started handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.