About
- Psychodynamic approach
- Solution-Focused work
- Clinical Hypnosis adjunct
About Susan
Susan Schwerd is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland with 24 years of clinical experience. She began practicing in 1999 after earning a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. She lists stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, mood disorders, grief, family concerns, and work-related coaching among the issues she supports.
She spent the first seven years of her career in a large outpatient mental health organization, including time as an assistant clinical director, before moving into private practice. Prior to becoming a counselor she worked for a decade as a Director of Human Resources at a mid-sized corporation. That background informs her practical coaching for personal growth and professional productivity.
Her approach is rooted in psychodynamic ideas while remaining active and eclectic. She blends Solution-Focused techniques and targeted interventions to help people notice patterns that keep them stuck and to try different responses in daily life. Hypnotherapy and clinical hypnosis are used as adjuncts when appropriate.
Sessions often include teaching self-hypnosis and breathing techniques to help manage anxiety and chronic pain. She also integrates methods aimed at emotional regulation and behavior change so clients can address ongoing mood or stress problems.
She has experience with veterans and received training from military organizations for non-military professionals while working in the Washington DC area. Neurofeedback and Eye Movement Integration are mentioned as adjuncts used in her private practice.
Online work includes live video and phone sessions, and she will respond to a limited number of messages between sessions. Prospective clients should confirm current session arrangements and scheduling details before booking.
How sessions work
Approaches used online and what they do
Her practice draws on psychodynamic ideas to help people recognize recurring relationship and behavior patterns that affect how they respond at home. This approach looks at past influences and how they show up now so clients can try new ways of reacting.Solution-Focused Therapy is brief and goal-oriented. It emphasizes small, practical steps and concrete changes that can reduce stress and improve daily functioning. Clinical Hypnotherapy or clinical hypnosis is used as an adjunct to teach self-hypnosis and breathing techniques, which some people find helpful for managing anxiety and chronic pain.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Sessions can shift over time as problems change or as different tools are tried.
This profile indicates online work is done via live video and phone sessions. Confirm current session options before booking to know exactly which formats are offered. Online meetings can make it easier to fit appointments into busy days, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and let people practice techniques like self-hypnosis at home or during breaks.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting concerns does she address?
She lists family among her focus areas and helps people work through family conflict and communication problems.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is psychodynamic-based and active eclectic, combining insight about underlying patterns with practical Solution-Focused steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has been practicing since 1999, giving her 24 years of experience working in outpatient settings and private practice.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LCPC licensed in Maryland and practices from that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.