Sus Austill , LCSW

Sus Austill invites people to share their stories and offers steady support through difficult transitions. She draws on a long personal and professional history that includes 40 years of sobriety, 39 years of parenting, and 28 years of clinical work with children, adolescents, adults, and families in mental health, substance use disorders, and crisis stabilization across outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings.

Sus values the experience of having a therapist herself and uses that perspective to inform an intuitive, flexible style rather than relying on a single method. Her practice blends tools from genograms and recovery-based work to motivational interviewing, gestalt approaches, cognitive-behavioral theory, narrative therapy, mindfulness practices, and tai chi to meet each person where they are.

Areas of focus include PTSD, moral injury, compassion fatigue, substance use and dependency, ADHD, LGBTQ issues, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and family systems. She especially welcomes people who feel marginalized or isolated during times of heightened stress. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW - a licensed professional trained in social work and clinical therapy), Sus offers empathetic listening, practical strategies for repair or change, and a compassionate presence for those seeking support, tools, or simply a place to rest and tell their story.

Approaches and Online Care for Real-Life Challenges

Sus often integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices to support people in change. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens closely and follows the client's lead - this helps when someone needs a supportive space to explore feelings and choices. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression and improve coping in daily life. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and stress-management techniques, which can ease overwhelm and support emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Sus collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time so therapy stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy with Sus is offered by licensed professionals using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or travel and allow people to receive consistent support without geographic limits, while still working with experienced therapists committed to meaningful progress.