Susan Ridenour, LCSW, LSCSW

Susan Ridenour is a clinically licensed therapist practicing in Kansas and Missouri with 35 years of professional healthcare experience. She holds LCSW and LSCSW credentials - Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker - and brings a broad background across the lifespan and a variety of care settings, including home and community-based work. Susan primarily supports adults ages 21 to 65, working with individuals and couples who seek help with relationships, family system dynamics, grief and loss, life transitions, aging and chronic illness, spiritual or personal growth, and career or workplace challenges.

Susan has completed intensive leadership trainings and individualized coaching, and she spent a decade in leadership roles with large healthcare organizations, experience that can be useful for clients using employee assistance program benefits. Her approach blends practical tools and tailored interventions; she offers worksheets, journaling options, and messaging to support session preparation and follow-up practice. Many clients find regular journaling and brief between-session messages helpful for sustaining progress.

Susan views sharing people’s stories as an honor and strives to create a nonjudgmental, supportive environment. She emphasizes empowerment and collaboration, helping clients take courageous steps toward a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Susan

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then choose actions that align with their values - it is often useful for coping with life changes, stress, and grief. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an empathic, nonjudgmental space where the client leads the pace and direction of work, supporting personal growth, self-exploration, and relational concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches practical skills to shift them, which can be effective for mood challenges, anxiety, and problem-solving.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Susan collaborates with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She draws from different methods as appropriate and involves the client in planning the path forward so therapy matches what matters most to them.

Online therapy using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for scheduling and makes it easier to keep momentum between sessions. These options allow clients to access licensed professionals from home or work, fit therapy around busy calendars, and use shorter or longer formats depending on the issue and personal preference.