Dr. Susan Cain, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Dr. Susan Cain

Dr. Susan Cain

(she/her)

LCSW
27 years of experience
Solution oriented
Empowering
Warm
Virtual

Welcome to therapy—a place of healing and growth for individuals and couples. I specialize in helping adults navigate life’s challenges, including anxiety, depression, career obstacles, and relationship concerns. I am a seasoned, compassionate therapist offering years of lived experience and extensive training in individual and couples therapy. My approach combines therapy with coaching, creating an environment for meaningful, faster progress. Whether you’re dealing with life transitions, workplace stress, or relationship strains, I provide compassionate support and practical tools to help you move forward. For clients seeking help navigating life’s challenges, I am highly trained in anxiety, depression and grief recovery treatment. For clients seeking workplace coaching, I specialize in as well as resume and interview preparation. Couples seeking counseling will benefit from my solution-focused methods, including a couples styles assessment and Gottman tools to foster active collaboration and deepen relationship skills. In our sessions, you’ll find a non-judgmental space where you feel seen, heard, and understood. I’ll ask insightful questions, offer constructive feedback, and encourage you to tap into your strengths. If you’re caught in unhelpful patterns, we’ll work together to discover healthier approaches. To make our work even more impactful, I offer post-session reports and actionable assignments that bring therapy into your daily life, driving transformation. My background spans career coaching, adoption, grief recovery, parenting, divorce, and remarriage, giving me a broad foundation to address diverse needs. With flexible scheduling, including day, evening, and weekend options, I aim to make therapy accessible and comfortable. I also provide free consultations to ensure a strong client-therapist fit. Let’s begin your journey toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Our first therapy session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, establish trust, set goals, and lay the foundation for a successful therapeutic relationship. It's normal for you to feel a mix of emotions, including nervousness and relief, during this initial session, but I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard and understood. We begin therapy by providing an overview of the therapy process. You may be asked to complete paperwork, such as consent forms or intake questionnaires, to gather essential information about your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. I want you to feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings. Overall, I will seek to understand your presenting issues, history, and goals for therapy. We may look at the your current symptoms, past experiences, family dynamics, and any previous therapy or treatment. The therapy goals we establish will serve as a roadmap for guiding the therapeutic process and measuring progress over time. You will be invited to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have about therapy. Towards the end of the session, I will summarize the key points discussed and collaborate with you to schedule future sessions.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I’m known for helping clients, couples, and families get back on track quickly, guiding them toward a more fulfilling life. I build real, authentic connections with everyone I work with, and I like to keep things direct and even throw in some humor to make navigating life’s ups and downs a little easier. To make therapy as effective as possible, I offer a bunch of tools that help turn insights into real progress. For example: DISC Assessment: As part of your journey, you'll get immediate feedback on your strengths and areas for growth, giving you a clearer picture of yourself. Emotional Intelligence Assessment: You can request this to see how well you're managing emotions and learn strategies to handle them better. Coaching Worksheets: I also provide fillable worksheets to help you work through specific challenges step by step. Expect to be active and engaged in our sessions, with access to these resources to keep things moving forward. I’m all about making therapy useful and relevant to your everyday life.

Appointments

Free consults, virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed? I can help you manage unwanted thoughts and ease your anxiety. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we'll explore how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, empowering you to take control of your mental health. Together, we’ll identify negative thought patterns and challenge them with evidence, building positive self-talk to replace unhelpful beliefs. You’ll learn useful coping tools such as: Cognitive Restructuring: Identify and challenge negative thoughts to develop more balanced perspectives. Behavioral Activation: Incorporate enjoyable activities into your routine to boost mood and reduce anxiety. Relaxation Techniques: Use strategies like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to calm physical anxiety symptoms. Problem-Solving: Break down challenges into manageable steps to reduce overwhelm. Assertiveness Training: Improve communication and self-confidence in expressing your needs. Each session will involve actionable steps, and you’ll have homework to reinforce these skills between sessions. We’ll also focus on relapse prevention and help you prepare for potential setbacks, so you feel equipped to manage future challenges. If you're struggling with insomnia, CBT techniques for sleep can also be included in your treatment. Let’s work together to build a calmer, more fulfilling life.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

I am trained in solution-focused therapy to help you achieve therapy results faster. I'm committed to getting you on the path to solutions as quickly as possible. That's where Solution-Focused Brief Treatment (SFBT) comes in – it's all about tapping into your strengths, resources, and ability to make real changes. I've honed my skills in SFBT at The University of Chicago and have been using this approach successfully for years. Here's how it goes down: we start by setting crystal-clear goals that you can actually achieve. These goals are all about what you want to accomplish in therapy and how you want to change your life for the better. Together, we'll uncover your strengths, resources, and past victories – because trust me, you've got plenty of 'em! We'll brainstorm goals, preferences, and potential solutions to your current challenges, all while boosting your self-confidence and motivation along the way. And when it's time to put those plans into action, we'll make sure they're practical, doable, and totally tailored to you. If we hit any roadblocks, no worries – we'll tackle them head-on, making adjustments as needed to keep things moving forward. This is a team effort, so your goals and preferences are always front and center. And as you start crushing those goals, we'll get you ready to wrap up therapy while making sure you've got the tools to maintain your progress long-term. That might mean brainstorming potential hurdles and putting in place strategies to keep you on track. So, if you're ready to dive in and start seeing real change, let's make it happen together with Solution-Focused Brief Treatment.

Couples Counseling

In my practice, I offer a distinctive approach to couples counseling, starting with a comprehensive assessment of each partner’s personality styles using the Family DISC Assessment. This powerful tool serves as a foundation for deeper understanding and more effective communication between partners. Here’s how the Family DISC Assessment can enhance your relationship: • Identify Communication Styles: Gain insight into each partner’s communication approach, reducing misunderstandings and fostering more meaningful conversations. • Enhance Compatibility: Understand your unique DISC profiles to harmonize strengths and balance weaknesses. • Resolve Conflicts: Recognize potential sources of tension and develop practical strategies to address them constructively. • Strengthen Your Bond: Build trust and mutual respect by understanding each other’s needs, preferences, and triggers. Beyond personality insights, my approach incorporates Solution-Focused Couples Counseling (SFCC), a short-term, goal-oriented method that emphasizes finding practical solutions rather than revisiting past issues. SFCC focuses on the present and future, guiding you and your partner to envision desired outcomes and work collaboratively toward them. I also incorporate tools from relationship experts John and Julie Gottman, focusing on proven skills that help couples strengthen their bond. During our sessions, you will: • Clarify Relationship Goals: Define what you hope to achieve through counseling. • Leverage Strengths: Focus on your existing strengths and resources to find effective solutions. • Learn Gottman Tools: Apply tools and skills designed to enhance communication and connection. • Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge small steps forward, building a sense of accomplishment and momentum. Solution-Focused Couples Counseling is ideal for couples seeking practical solutions and short-term guidance to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their connection. Schedule a complimentary consultation to see if we’re the right fit for your journey toward a stronger, more connected relationship!

Gottman method

In my couples counseling practice, I integrate techniques from the Gottman Method, a research-based approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Having completed Level 1 training in this method, I am equipped to guide couples through proven techniques to enhance communication, manage conflict, and build a stronger relationship. The Gottman Method focuses on improving interactions by fostering friendship, managing disagreements constructively, and creating shared meaning in the relationship. Key tools include exercises to enhance positive interactions, build trust, and understand each partner’s needs and emotional triggers. This structured approach helps couples address challenges with greater empathy and respect, ultimately cultivating a resilient, satisfying partnership. Using these tools alongside the Family DISC Assessment and Solution-Focused Couples Counseling, I create a balanced approach that addresses immediate relationship goals while laying the groundwork for long-term relational health.

Dr. Susan Cain, LCSW