- Stress and anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Communication skills
About Susan
Susan Smoot is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in Virginia with 25 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes. Susan also focuses on communication problems, control issues, guilt and shame, and social anxiety and phobia.
She frames therapy as a practical collaboration. Sessions begin by listening to what is happening now and what the client wants to change. The therapist treats the client as the expert on their own story and looks for strengths to build on. Conversations are straightforward and goal-focused, with steps clients can try between sessions.
In working with anxiety and panic concerns, Susan breaks problems into manageable parts. She helps people notice triggers, practice coping skills, and try small behavioral steps to build confidence. For grief and loss she offers steady, paced support and strategies to manage painful memories and daily routines.
When addictions or trauma are involved, the approach balances safety and practical problem solving. Susan pays attention to immediate needs such as coping with cravings, grounding during distress, and planning for safer choices. She also addresses how past events affect present behavior and relationships.
People who struggle with life purpose, self-love, or guilt and shame get focused discussions about values and next steps. Communication and control issues are handled with role practice and concrete techniques to test new ways of relating. The aim is clear: small, real changes that make day-to-day life easier.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques are used in straightforward ways. One approach focuses on breaking anxiety and panic into smaller parts so clients can practice coping skills and reduce avoidance. Another approach targets addictive behaviors and trauma by identifying triggers, building practical safety plans, and rehearsing alternative responses. These methods are explained in plain language and applied step by step.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they try methods and adjust them based on what feels most useful and doable for daily life.
Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around daily routines, reduce travel time, and allow more consistent check-ins when life gets busy. Some people find shorter or more frequent appointments helpful during stressful periods. The focus remains on practical tools and making therapy fit into everyday schedules rather than promising a specific session type.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes, plus related issues like social anxiety and phobia.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a practical, collaborative style that emphasizes listening, identifying strengths, and trying manageable steps between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of experience working in mental health and counseling settings.
What are her credentials and location?
She is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - practicing in Virginia.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.