Susan Schwerd, LCPC

Susan Schwerd, LCPC, helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, and mood disorders. She supports those dealing with chronic pain, illness, traumatic brain injury, and major life changes. Her style blends practical coaching with therapy to address both emotional and everyday challenges.

Susan trained in counseling psychology and has worked as a clinical counselor since 1999. She spent early years in outpatient mental health settings and served as an assistant clinical director before moving into private practice. Before counseling she was a director of human resources, which shaped her coaching approach to professional and personal goals.

Her approach draws from psychodynamic ideas while using solution-focused and other pragmatic techniques. Sessions work on identifying patterns that keep someone stuck and on building new ways to respond to current problems. She also uses hypnotherapy and teaches self-hypnosis and breathing tools for pain and anxiety management.

Susan commonly integrates techniques such as neurofeedback, Eye Movement Integration, and clinical hypnosis as adjuncts to psychotherapy when appropriate. She aims to help clients reclaim day-to-day functioning and reduce the impact of symptoms on work and relationships. Her background includes work with veterans and people affected by disasters and serious illness.

Sessions are offered in Maryland with weekday and evening hours noted seasonally. Prospective clients should confirm current scheduling and session options before booking.

How her approaches translate to online work

Psychodynamic Therapy looks at patterns from earlier life that influence current feelings and relationships; online sessions can provide time to talk through those patterns and notice how they show up day to day. Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on small, concrete changes and goals that move a person forward quickly; it is useful for managing stress, improving sleep routines, and tackling specific problems. Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis teach breathing and relaxation techniques that help reduce anxiety and manage chronic pain when practiced between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to choose methods that match a person's needs, goals, and preferences. Together they will try strategies, review what works, and adjust the plan based on progress and feedback.

Session formats are not fully specified here, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and let clients practice breathing or self-hypnosis at home. It also supports people managing chronic illness or pain who may find travel difficult. Ask about live video and phone availability when you complete the matching questionnaire to schedule sessions that fit your routine.