Susan O'Connell

Susan O'Connell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin with 35 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family concerns, depression, grief, caregiving strain, and life changes including questions about life purpose.

She began her career in addictions and has supported both individuals and their families through substance use problems. Over the years her practice broadened to include chronic medical issues, compassion fatigue, parenting strains, and intimacy-related concerns. She also works with people dealing with isolation, money worries, midlife transitions, and ADHD-related challenges.

Susan uses straightforward, practical techniques in sessions. She relies heavily on cognitive behavioral approaches and includes education and take-home activities to extend progress between meetings. She also draws on client-centered and solution-focused ideas to help people identify strengths and make small, realistic changes.

Sessions are conversational and goal-focused. She helps people notice patterns, try small experiments, and build concrete plans for change. She emphasizes applying what is discussed in everyday life rather than only talking about problems.

Her long experience informs a pragmatic style that balances structure with listening. People who are unsure what comes next after a change or who feel stuck in work, relationships, or role pressures may find this practical approach helpful. Before booking, confirm current session formats and scheduling options.

How her approaches shape online sessions

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and helping people voice what matters to them. It supports exploring values and strengths and is useful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life purpose questions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. It uses practical exercises and homework to reduce anxiety, manage mood, address addictions, and improve coping with life changes.

Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes small, achievable steps and clear goals. It helps when someone wants brief, targeted work to move past a stuck point or make a specific change.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Susan will collaborate with clients to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Confirm which session formats she currently offers before booking since the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around caregiving or work hours, allow shorter check-ins when that works better, or reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use online sessions to assign and review CBT exercises and to collaborate on solution-focused plans without requiring an in-person visit.