- Years in practice
- 10
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Susan
Susan Sparks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a decade of clinical experience. She focuses on practical help for parents and individuals who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, sleep or eating struggles, or the daily demands of family life. Her style is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at making small, usable changes parents can try right away.
Susan earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois and became an Illinois LCSW in 2013.
Background and approach
She has a long history of community work and volunteer roles stretching back more than 35 years, and she brings that background into each session. Sessions center on clear strategies rather than jargon. She draws on behavioral techniques and mindfulness exercises to address anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, and challenges with attention and self-esteem.
With parents she focuses on routines, communication, and practical ways to reduce daily stress and improve sleep and eating patterns for the household. Susan views people as having strengths they can build on. She helps clients identify small steps that match their values and schedule.
Work may include skill practice between sessions and steady progress tracking. Her approach emphasizes real-life skills and steady support. Parents who want help setting boundaries, managing strong emotions, or coping with life changes will find a direct and experienced clinician who keeps the work simple and focused.
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.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
Approaches that fit parenting and everyday life
Susan uses evidence-based behavior-focused work to help clients change patterns that cause stress. Behavioral approaches break problems into small, manageable actions and teach consistent routines that can improve sleep, eating, or daily family rhythms.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help people notice and shift unhelpful thoughts. CBT offers practical exercises that reduce anxiety, manage mood swings, and improve coping with life changes and parenting demands.
Finding the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. The therapist will review goals, try techniques, and adjust plans based on what helps most. Clients and the clinician decide together which tools to keep using and which to change.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions are useful for face-to-face conversations and skills demonstrations. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or when a quick check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging work well for brief updates, short coaching, or when written prompts are easier to manage. These options make it easier to fit therapy around parenting schedules and other commitments.
Questions people ask about Susan
What concerns does she help with?
Susan addresses stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, anger, self-esteem, parenting struggles, sleep and eating difficulties, ADHD, bipolar challenges, career changes, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is practical and straightforward, using skill-building, behavior-focused techniques and mindfulness practices to make changes that fit daily life.
What is her background and experience?
She has 10 years of clinical experience and more than 35 years of community and volunteer involvement in mental health-related settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Illinois LCSW, and practices from Illinois.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does pricing work?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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