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Susan VanHuizen

Susan VanHuizen

LMSW

Michigan

Motivation-focused therapist for steady change

Continue with Susan

At a glance

Credentials
LMSW
License
LMSW, Michigan / 6801081995
Experience
20 years
Languages
English
Location
Michigan

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Anxiety and depression
    • Addiction recovery
    • Stress and coping

    About Susan

    Susan VanHuizen is a licensed clinical social worker (LMSW) in Michigan with 20 years of practice helping people manage anxiety, depression, stress, and addiction. She focuses on practical steps clients can take right away. Sessions center on clear goals and steady progress rather than quick fixes.

    Susan pays attention to life changes that can knock people off balance. She helps people rebuild after divorce, cope with chronic illness or pain, and find new purpose later in life. She also supports people who are dealing with guilt, shame, isolation, or problems rooted in family of origin dynamics.

    Motivational Interviewing is part of her approach and is used to help people find their own reasons for change. She blends that with cognitive behavioral strategies to spot and shift unhelpful thoughts. Mindfulness and techniques from dialectical behavior therapy add practical tools for managing strong emotions and staying present.

    Susan aims for a calm, nonjudgmental tone in sessions. She works with each person to set manageable steps, practice new skills between meetings, and review progress over time. The emphasis is on steady, realistic change rather than pressure to feel better immediately.

    Her practice also addresses practical life stressors like money worries and caregiving strain. People seeking support for addiction, codependency, or control issues will find a focus on motivation, coping skills, and rebuilding trust in themselves. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

  2. How therapeutic approaches fit into online care

    Susan uses Motivational Interviewing to help people clarify their own reasons for change and build momentum at a pace that feels right to them. This approach is useful when someone feels stuck or uncertain about making a change, such as cutting back on substances or starting new habits.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes. It gives clear homework and practical strategies that people can apply between sessions to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance in daily life.

    Picking the right mix of methods is a joint process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which approaches to try and adjust them over time based on progress and feedback.

    The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when useful, and let people use tools like guided mindfulness exercises at home. Licensed professionals can adapt motivational, CBT, and DBT skills to work well in remote sessions when that format is offered.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

    Additional focus areas

    Aging and geriatric issuesChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disordersSelf-harmSelf-loveWomen's issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational Interviewing

    Experience

    20+ years

    Listed in

    Michigan

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What concerns does this therapist help with?

    Susan supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and low self-esteem. She also addresses life changes, chronic health issues, family of origin problems, money worries, and related concerns.

    How would you describe her therapeutic style?

    Her style combines practical skill-building with a calm, nonjudgmental approach. She focuses on clear goals, steady steps, and tools people can use between sessions.

    What is her professional background?

    She has 20 years of clinical experience working in Michigan. That experience includes supporting people through addiction recovery, life transitions, and chronic illness.

    What credentials and location are listed?

    She is an LMSW, which stands for licensed master social worker, and practices in Michigan.

    Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?

    Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

    What session formats are available?

    The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options with the service before booking.

    How is cost handled for sessions?

    Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    What are the steps to get started?

    Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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Susan VanHuizen Continue with Susan