01
- Psychodynamic orientation
- Hypnotherapy techniques
- Solution-Focused interventions
About Susan
Susan Schwerd, LCPC, is licensed in Maryland and has practised for 24 years. She focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, mood disorders, grief, chronic pain and life changes. She describes her method as rooted in a psychodynamic orientation and uses an active eclectic style with Solution-Focused interventions and hypnotherapy techniques.
Susan begins sessions by helping people identify patterns that keep them stuck. She helps clients understand the underlying reasons for conflicted feelings. Then she and the client work on new ways to respond to current challenges.
Her background includes seven years in a large outpatient mental health organization, including time as an assistant clinical director, followed by private practice. Before becoming a therapist she spent ten years as a director of human resources in a mid-sized corporation, experience she draws on when coaching for professional productivity.
In her private work she often uses clinical hypnosis and neurofeedback as adjuncts to talk therapy. She teaches self-hypnosis and breathing techniques that some clients use to manage anxiety and chronic pain.
Susan has provided services to veterans in the Washington DC area and completed special training from military organizations for non-military professionals. She offers live video and phone sessions and responds to a limited number of messages between appointments.
Her posted summer hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12 noon to 6 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday 5, 6, 7 pm. Confirm current session options and scheduling before booking.
02
How her approaches translate to online care
Psychodynamic Therapy explores patterns from the past that affect current feelings and relationships. It helps when repeated conflicts or long-standing emotional responses get in the way of daily life. Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on practical steps and short-term goals to produce measurable changes. It is useful for clients who want focused, actionable strategies. Clinical Hypnotherapy involves guided relaxation and suggestion to teach self-hypnosis and breathing techniques that can reduce anxiety and help manage chronic pain.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client review goals, symptoms, and preferences and agree on which methods to use. This is a collaborative process and can shift as needs change.
Susan offers live video and phone sessions, and she will respond to a limited number of messages between sessions. Confirm the current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let clients practice self-hypnosis and breathing exercises between meetings. Licensed professionals can adapt approaches used in person to an online setting to support ongoing progress.
03
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
04
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
Susan supports people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, mood disorders such as bipolar and depression, grief, anger, sleeping problems, chronic pain and life changes.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is psychodynamic-rooted and actively eclectic. She blends insight work with practical interventions to change unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has practised for 24 years, beginning her career after a master’s degree from Temple University in 1999 and working in outpatient settings before private practice.
Where is she licensed to practise?
She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are used?
She conducts live video and phone sessions and will respond to a small number of messages between sessions. Confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.