Susan Keene , LCSW

Susan Keene, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), centers her practice on cognitive behavioral therapy, believing that the ways people interpret events and the inner dialogue they carry contribute significantly to their suffering. She pays close attention to patterns of "self-talk," helping clients recognize how automatic, often negative thoughts can feel like a programmed script and then gently work to change them.

She acknowledges the role of the more primitive or "animal" brain in shaping automatic reactions, while also addressing the tendency to shame or blame oneself for behaviors that are not fully under conscious control. Sessions often begin with careful examination of what is happening in the present moment and may include exploration of how past trauma continues to affect current reactions. Practical exercises are used to calm a triggered nervous system and to build new ways of responding.

Susan brings both clinical training and personal life experience with depression, anxiety, family conflict, and addiction to her therapeutic work, along with clinical intuition and insights drawn from various spiritual traditions. She is not religious, but she respects a sense of inner dignity in each person. Because modern life can foster isolation and harsh self-judgment, she encourages clients to rediscover their inherent worth and to replace self-criticism with curiosity about change and growth.

She recognizes that beginning therapy can feel frightening and that many people hope for someone to fix things for them. Her approach emphasizes collaboration and effort - therapy is work, and persistence matters. Susan prefers 45-minute sessions and, except for Mondays or when she is ill, checks the platform daily to stay engaged with client messages. She notes that she is not a morning person, has had limited success with students of Rocky Mountain University but success with their employees, and has found she cannot effectively help women whose partner is into porn. If clients decide to work with her, she asks that they read and "sign" the disclosure form, explore available classes and groups, try the video session test, and schedule their first appointment. She appreciates being considered as a therapist.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and reshaping unhelpful thoughts and behavioral patterns. It is a practical, skills-oriented approach commonly used to address anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship difficulties.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing impulsive or self-defeating behaviors. DBT can be especially helpful for people who struggle with emotional reactivity, relationship conflicts, or coping under stress.

Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental observation of thoughts and feelings, which can support stress reduction and improved emotional balance. These approaches are described so clients know what to expect, but determining the best fit is a collaborative process. Susan will work with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress and feedback guide the work.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility in how and when clients connect with licensed professionals. It can make scheduling easier, allow therapy from a familiar setting, and provide multiple ways to communicate based on comfort and practicality. These options help therapists and clients maintain continuity of care and adapt the therapeutic process to real-life demands.