About Susan
Susan Sparks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helps people cope with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship struggles, and life changes. She introduces straightforward, practical steps so parents and individuals can manage daily challenges. Her manner is calm and direct, focused on small changes that add up over time.
Susan has worked in Illinois communities for decades and completed a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois in 2011.
Background and approach
She became an LCSW in 2013 and has about ten years of clinical experience. That background shapes a practical approach to common problems like sleep, eating concerns, mood shifts, and parenting stress. In sessions she uses short, clear strategies drawn from evidence-based techniques.
That can mean setting small behavioral goals, trying new routines, or practicing focused attention to reduce anxiety. She adapts these techniques to each person rather than using one fixed method. Susan also draws on play-based techniques when working with children and on skills-based coaching for teens and adults.
She pays attention to strengths and builds on what already works in a person’s life. Many clients find that practical tasks between sessions help progress stay steady. Her work addresses a wide range of concerns including trauma and abuse, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and intimacy-related issues.
She supports parents coping with the strain of raising children and helps people redevelop confidence after setbacks. Her overall aim is to help clients move toward more stable, manageable days.
Evidence-based techniques for online sessions
Many of Susan’s methods focus on practical, skills-based work that translates well to remote formats. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it often involves simple homework like trying a new routine or tracking mood patterns to reduce anxiety and depression. Play-based approaches adapt for children by using guided activities or parent-led exercises to address behavior and emotional regulation. Mindfulness practice teaches short attention and breathing exercises that reduce stress and improve focus over time.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to pick methods that match their needs, goals, and comfort with different techniques. Goals are revisited and adjusted as progress and preferences become clearer.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls let a therapist and client meet face-to-face when visual cues help the work. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging support brief check-ins, skill practice, and scheduling between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy family and work routines while keeping the focus on practical strategies and steady progress.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also works with
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Sleeping disorders
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English