Susan Frate , LISW

Susan Frate is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with 25 years of professional experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress and anxiety, heal from trauma and abuse, navigate depression, and adapt to life changes. Susan approaches each person with respect for their knowledge of their own life, believing that clients bring strengths and insights that support meaningful change.

Her style emphasizes collaboration and practical progress. She encourages clients to draw on the courage it takes to begin therapy and to use that same courage to explore goals, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. Susan combines empathy with structured support so clients can identify priorities, try new approaches, and track improvement over time.

As an LISW - a license that authorizes independent social work practice - she blends clinical skill with a client-centered attitude. Her work aims to meet people where they are, honor personal values, and foster growth that fits each person’s life. Whether addressing a short-term difficulty or longer-term patterns, Susan partners with clients to create realistic steps toward well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Susan Frate integrates several evidence-informed methods to guide online work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's perspective and strengths; it helps when someone needs a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore values and choices. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to accept difficult emotions while committing to actions that align with personal values - it is often useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers structured techniques to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be effective for depression, anxiety, and coping with change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Susan collaborates with clients to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and adapts methods so the work fits each person's life and priorities. This collaborative planning helps determine which strategies will be most useful at each stage.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to access care from home, work, or other settings. These options provide flexibility in scheduling, allow more consistent attendance, and let therapists and licensed professionals tailor interactions to what works best for the client.