Susan VanHuizen

Susan VanHuizen is a licensed social worker who draws on 20 years of practice to help people through emotional challenges. She works with individuals facing anxiety, depression, stress, and addiction. Her style is direct and compassionate, aimed at helping people find workable next steps.

Susan focuses on practical recovery and life transitions. She supports people coping with divorce and separation, chronic illness or pain, and the fallout from family-of-origin wounds. She also addresses codependency, control issues, shame and rebuilding self-worth after major losses.

Sessions center on learning new skills and making concrete changes. Susan uses simple tools to manage intense feelings, calm anxiety, and reduce unhelpful thinking patterns. She also helps people set goals and build routines that fit real life.

Motivation and small steps are part of the plan. Susan uses techniques to strengthen resolve, break down big problems, and keep progress steady. She watches for patterns that get in the way and helps people try different strategies.

Susan practices in Michigan and meets with people in English. She holds an LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker, and brings two decades of experience to each session. To begin, people typically complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a time that fits their needs.

Approaches that translate to online work

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors. It works well for anxiety, depression, and stress by giving clear tools to change what is not helpful.

DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships. It is useful when feelings feel overwhelming or when people struggle with impulsive behaviors.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and daily life. Goals, preferences, and how someone responds to early sessions all guide what is tried next.

Confirm the available session options before booking since formats are not listed in the profile. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce time spent traveling, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use techniques learned in sessions directly in their everyday setting, helping skills generalize to real situations.