Suzanne Baer

Suzanne Baer is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 22 years of experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and depression. She also works with concerns such as attachment and abandonment, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, codependency, and relationship conflict. Suzanne practices in Illinois and conducts sessions in English.

Her background includes work in inpatient drug and alcohol treatment, sexual abuse counseling, and community mental health. That range means she often meets people at different stages of recovery or change. In sessions she keeps conversation direct and interactive, focusing on what clients say matters most to them.

Suzanne draws on several practical approaches. She uses client-centered talk to reflect and clarify what a person brings. She applies cognitive behavioral techniques to spot and shift unhelpful thinking and behaviors. Dialectical behavior therapy skills help with emotional regulation and managing intense states.

She also uses mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness and motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. These methods are combined in ways that fit the person’s goals rather than a fixed program. Suzanne emphasizes clear, collaborative work rather than abstract theory.

Sessions are structured to address immediate stressors and build skills for longer-term coping. People often come with a specific problem or a sense of being stuck, and the work focuses on practical steps, communication strategies, and managing strong emotions. To begin, a short matching questionnaire and scheduling step is used to set up an initial session.

How her therapeutic methods translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what the client says. Online sessions can preserve that approach by keeping conversations focused on the client’s priorities and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) emphasizes identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and practicing concrete skills to change them. CBT works well in session-based formats where homework and skill practice are assigned between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. DBT skills are useful for people coping with intense emotions and relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Suzanne will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That may mean trying CBT techniques for a period, then adding mindfulness or DBT skills as needed, rather than committing to a single model from the start.

The therapist’s original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow for a mix of focused skill work and longer check-ins. Some people prefer shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, while others choose longer sessions for deeper work. Discussing practical arrangements during the first meeting helps find what fits everyday life.