Susan VanHuizen, LMSW

Susan VanHuizen is a Michigan-based licensed therapist with 20 years of clinical experience helping people navigate emotional challenges and life transitions. She holds an LMSW, which denotes a Licensed Master Social Worker, and brings decades of practice supporting clients with depression, anxiety, stress management, addiction recovery, and self-esteem concerns. Her work often centers on restoring emotional balance and helping people find purpose after significant changes.

Susan focuses on practical coping strategies and compassionate support for a wide range of issues, including aging and geriatric concerns, chronic pain and illness, codependency, control issues, divorce and separation, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol addiction. She also addresses family of origin dynamics, family problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, and financial stressors that affect wellbeing. Her approach is grounded in evidence-informed methods that teach healthier ways to manage emotions and relationships.

Known for creating a respectful, nonjudgmental atmosphere, Susan emphasizes collaboration and skill building so individuals can strengthen resilience and move toward meaningful goals. Whether the focus is addiction recovery, improving mood, repairing relationships, or exploring life purpose, she aims to walk alongside each person with professional care and steady support.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Susan uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as central tools in her practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress, providing concrete skills for mood and coping management. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills, which can be especially helpful for intense emotions, relationship challenges, and patterns of impulsive behavior.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Susan works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors treatment plans and adjusts strategies over time to support progress and foster greater resilience.

Online therapy with Susan is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to attend sessions from home, manage ongoing care during life transitions, and maintain consistent support without travel constraints, while still working with licensed professionals and therapists who guide the process.