Susan MacDonald, LMHC

Susan MacDonald is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Rhode Island with 14 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling stuck by listening closely, offering practical tools, and supporting small steps toward change. Her work often focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, and coping with life changes such as a midlife crisis.

She aims to create an atmosphere where people can speak plainly about their thoughts and feelings without judgement. Sessions focus on what matters to the person in front of her, starting with immediate concerns and moving toward long-term goals. Susan uses straightforward skills and exercises so people can try new ways of handling stress and difficult emotions between meetings.

Susan blends several approaches to match each person’s needs. She draws on client-centered ideas to keep the work grounded in the person’s priorities. Cognitive behavioral strategies are used to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Dialectical skills and mindfulness practices help with emotional regulation and staying present.

Her style is collaborative and practical. She helps people set realistic goals, practice coping skills, and notice progress over time. Conversations may cover family history, relationship patterns, and current life stresses to build a clearer picture of what to change.

People looking to start can expect a direct, compassionate approach that balances listening with concrete steps. Susan encourages questions and works at a pace that fits each person’s comfort level.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s priorities and aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space. Online sessions can keep that focus by allowing conversations about what matters most and tailoring the pace to each person. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical exercises to change patterns. That makes CBT easy to use in remote sessions with homework and brief skill practice between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. DBT techniques can be taught in session and practiced in daily life to manage intense emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. The therapist will collaborate with the person to choose which methods to try based on needs, goals, and personal preferences. Plans may change over time as progress and challenges become clearer, and the therapist will check in regularly to adjust the focus.

The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, childcare, or travel, and it can shorten commute time. It also supports regular check-ins and homework review so progress can continue between appointments.