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Susan Essich-Kruse, LICSW, LISW-CP

Based in South Carolina Online sessions

Supportive social worker for parenting concerns

Book with Susan
Years in practice
20
Credentials
LICSW, LISW-CP
Licensed in
South Carolina, Massachusetts
Languages
English
Focus
Stress, Anxiety
Focus
Relationship issues
Focus
Parenting issues
About

About Susan

Susan Essich-Kruse is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience. She is licensed in South Carolina and Massachusetts and works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and parenting concerns. She begins by listening and treating each person as the expert on their own life.

Sessions focus on building on existing strengths and finding practical ways to manage day-to-day challenges. Susan offers a calm, steady presence and clear feedback to help clients move forward.

Background and approach

Her background includes long-term work in community and clinical settings, which shaped a flexible, pragmatic style. She uses client-centered conversations to understand what matters most to each person. Mindfulness practices are offered to help with anxiety and mood regulation.

Susan also draws on systemic ideas to look at patterns that affect relationships and parenting. That helps people see where small changes can make a big difference. She pays attention to life transitions like separation, blended family changes, adoption and foster care concerns, and aging issues.

Sessions are tailored to each person’s needs and goals. The focus can be short-term coping strategies or deeper work on mood and relationship patterns. Her approach aims to make therapy useful and manageable for busy parents and adults navigating change.

Focus areas and approaches

What Susan works with

Everything Susan lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Susan helps people with.

Approaches Susan lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.

Online support

How her approaches guide online parenting support

Client-centered work means the therapist follows the client's lead and focuses on what matters most to them. Sessions begin with listening and asking questions that clarify goals. This approach is useful when parents need practical plans and emotional support rather than a one-size-fits-all method.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple breathing and awareness practices to reduce anxiety and reactivity. These techniques can help with stress, mood regulation, and staying present during parenting challenges. They are easy to practice between sessions and can be adapted for short check-ins online.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and day-to-day routine. That collaborative planning helps make sessions feel relevant and doable for busy lives.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, while phone sessions work well when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and messaging can be useful for brief check-ins, problem-solving between sessions, or when written reflection helps process thoughts. These options offer flexibility so therapy can fit into work, school runs, or caregiving schedules.
Questions

Questions people ask about Susan

What kinds of problems does Susan help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and parenting issues. Additional areas include adoption and foster care, blended family concerns, communication problems, mood disorders, and women's issues.

What is her style in sessions?

She uses a client-centered style that treats the person as the expert on their life. Conversations focus on strengths, practical steps, and mindfulness techniques to manage emotions.

How much experience does she have?

She has 20 years of professional work experience in clinical and community settings. That background informs a pragmatic, flexible approach to therapy.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds MA LICSW and SC LISW-CP credentials and is licensed in South Carolina and Massachusetts. Her practice is based in South Carolina.

Which languages are supported?

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

What session formats are available?

Therapy can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options aim to fit different schedules and communication preferences.

How does payment work?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

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