Dr. Susan (Sue) Futeral, MD, LCSW-C

Dr. Susan (Sue) Futeral is a Maryland-licensed clinician with 33 years of professional experience who supports individuals facing a range of emotional and relational challenges. She holds an MD, which means she trained as a medical doctor, and an LCSW-C, which denotes a licensed clinical social worker with clinical certification. Over her career she has worked with people managing stress and anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, and eating disorders, bringing steady experience and practical guidance to each client.

Dr. Futeral emphasizes an open, nonjudgmental atmosphere where thoughts and feelings can be expressed honestly. She collaborates with clients to create a therapeutic space that encourages exploration and growth while honoring each person’s pace. Recognizing that beginning therapy often requires courage, she affirms the step of reaching out and supports clients as they move toward clearer understanding and healthier patterns.

Approaches in Therapy and What Online Sessions Offer

Dr. Futeral draws on several well-established approaches to support clients based on their needs. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early and significant relationships shape current patterns of connection and emotion, helping clients who struggle with intimacy, trust, or recurring relational conflicts understand and change those patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress to build practical skills for daily life. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental attention to thoughts and bodily sensations, which can reduce rumination and support emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Futeral works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their goals, preferences, and circumstances. She adapts strategies as progress unfolds so the work stays relevant and effective.

Online therapy with Dr. Futeral is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling and different communication styles. These options make it easier for clients to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into busy lives, and access licensed professionals from the places where they live and work.