Susan Ridenour

Susan Ridenour is a licensed clinical social worker with LCSW and LSCSW credentials and more than 35 years of professional experience. She practices in Kansas and focuses on adults seeking help with relationships, grief, life changes, career concerns, and coaching. Susan works with individuals and couples and aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space for people to talk through hard topics.

She brings a long history of work across the lifespan and in varied settings, including home- and community-based care. That background informs practical strategies for everyday problems like communication difficulties, caregiving stress, and balancing work and personal life. Her past leadership roles in healthcare and experience with employee assistance programs mean she can help clients navigate workplace challenges and use EAP benefits where relevant.

Susan uses several therapeutic approaches depending on the person’s needs. These include Trauma-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Existential Therapy. She also offers worksheets and journaling options to support work between meetings.

The approach is collaborative and paced to each person. Sessions focus on identifying goals, practicing new ways of relating, and building coping skills for grief, transitions, or chronic illness. Susan encourages clients to use tools like messaging and journaling to stay engaged between sessions.

People who prefer a calm, steady guide for change often find her style helpful. She emphasizes respect, practical exercises, and steady support while clients work toward clearer priorities and healthier relationships.

Approaches you can use in online therapy

Trauma-Focused Therapy helps people process difficult memories and the effects of trauma so they can reduce avoidance and regain more control over daily life. It often uses focused exercises and gradual pacing to make sure work moves at a manageable rate.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, teaches practical ways to accept hard feelings while identifying personal values to guide action. It is useful for coping with life changes, persistent worry, and situations that require new choices.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens closely and reflects what matters most to the client. This approach supports people who want to explore goals, grief, or relationship patterns without feeling pushed in a particular direction.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels helpful in early sessions. That conversation guides which methods are used and how quickly to move forward.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and reduce travel time, which helps clients fit therapy into busy days. It also allows use of tools like worksheets and journaling between meetings to keep progress moving.