Susan Frate , LISW

Susan Frate is an Ohio-licensed social worker with 25 years of clinical experience who supports people navigating stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and significant life changes. She practices as an LISW - Licensed Independent Social Worker - a credential that reflects advanced social work training and clinical supervision in Ohio. Susan centers her work on each person’s strengths and lived knowledge, believing that individuals are the experts on their own lives and that therapy is a collaborative process built on those resources.

Susan appreciates that beginning therapy requires courage and intentionality, and she works to turn that initial step into ongoing momentum for change. Her approach emphasizes practical coping strategies and compassionate support so clients can address immediate concerns while building skills for long-term well-being. Whether someone is facing anxiety, recovering from trauma, or adjusting to major life transitions, Susan aims to create a respectful, strengths-focused space to explore goals and develop effective tools for managing challenges.

Based in Ohio, Susan combines years of experience with an emphasis on partnership and empowerment, guiding clients to identify priorities, harness existing strengths, and take manageable steps toward the changes they want to see.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Susan Frate integrates several evidence-informed approaches into online work to meet a range of needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then move toward a clearer sense of personal values and purposeful action - useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering practical tools for depression, anxiety, and coping challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can be especially helpful for intense emotions and relationship difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Susan works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps tailor care so it feels relevant and manageable.

Online therapy with Susan is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for varied schedules and life demands. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into busy routines, and access licensed professionals from familiar settings.