Ewa Susman , LCSW

Ewa Susman is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. She combines a client-centered approach with specialized training to support individuals and families facing addiction, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, stress, anxiety, and grief. Her practice emphasizes collaboration, helping each person identify practical steps toward improved coping and healthier relationships.

She holds credentials that reflect focused training in substance use and partner intervention work. Her LCSW credential means she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trained to provide clinical assessment and psychotherapy. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC), with specific skills in treating substance use concerns, and a Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional (PAIP), trained to address patterns of partner abuse and promote safer interactions. These combined qualifications inform a treatment style that is both evidence-based and grounded in real-world experience.

In addition to her clinical background, Ewa brings cultural awareness to her work and an understanding of diverse client needs. She provides individual and family therapy tailored to each person s history and goals, aiming to create a respectful, strengths-based environment that supports long-term change.

Client-Centered and Trauma-Informed Online Care

Ewa uses a client-centered approach that prioritizes each person s goals and lived experience. This method focuses on active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem solving to help people explore challenges like anxiety, relationship conflict, and grief in a way that honors their pace and preferences.

She also applies trauma-informed practices that recognize how past trauma can affect thinking, feeling, and behavior. These practices aim to create a steady, respectful therapeutic relationship and to introduce coping strategies that reduce overwhelm while addressing trauma-related concerns.

For clients dealing with substance use, Ewa incorporates specialized counseling techniques tailored to addiction recovery and relapse prevention. These techniques focus on practical strategies, motivation for change, and building supports that promote sustained recovery.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Ewa will collaborate with each client to determine which techniques best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, connect across distances, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible, while allowing licensed professionals to deliver effective support remotely.