Susan Ridenour , LCSW, LSCSW

Susan Ridenour brings 35 years of professional healthcare experience to her therapeutic work, drawing on a career that spans community and home-based settings as well as leadership roles in large healthcare organizations. She works primarily with adults ages 21 to 65, offering support to individuals and couples facing relationship challenges, family systems dynamics, grief and loss, life transitions, aging and chronic illness, spiritual or personal growth, and workplace or career concerns. Susan also addresses a broad range of related issues, including caregiver stress, attachment difficulties, body image, codependency, and communication problems.

She holds clinical social work credentials as an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and an LSCSW - Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker - and maintains licensure in both Kansas and Missouri. Her background includes intensive leadership trainings and a decade of experience in organizational leadership, which can be especially helpful for clients using employee assistance benefits.

Susan integrates practical tools into the therapeutic process, offering worksheets to prepare for sessions and to support practice between meetings. Many clients also make use of journaling options and the messaging feature for brief check-ins. She approaches each story with respect and without judgment, aiming to support and empower clients as they work toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and take committed steps toward a meaningful life while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It can be useful for coping with life changes, grief, and anxiety related to transitions. Client-Centered Therapy places the client at the center of the process, emphasizing empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients can explore personal goals and strengthen self-direction; this approach fits well for relationship work and personal growth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering concrete skills for managing stress, improving communication, and addressing mood or anxiety concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative process. Susan works with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts strategies over time so the work stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy with Susan is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which provides flexibility for busy schedules and for those managing caregiving, work, or health-related limitations. She can share worksheets, suggest journaling exercises, and use messaging for between-session check-ins to support steady progress and ongoing engagement.