- Person-focused care
- Practical strategies
- Motivational guidance
About Susan
Susan Acosta is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people facing addiction, relationship strain, parenting stress, and major life transitions. She works with adults who are coping with anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, and intimacy concerns. Her practice is anchored in respect, sensitivity, and straightforward support.
She uses a conversational, person-focused approach. Sessions are tailored to the needs and goals of each individual rather than a one-size-fits-all plan. Susan aims to help people find practical steps they can use between meetings to reduce stress and improve daily functioning.
In therapy she draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and to test new behaviors. Motivational interviewing is used when making changes feels difficult, especially around substance use or other addictive behaviors. Solution-focused strategies help people identify small, achievable goals and build on quick wins.
Susan has worked with people navigating blended family issues, codependency, dependent personality traits, and the fallout of divorce or separation. She also supports those managing drug and alcohol addiction, offering a steady, nonjudgmental presence while clients weigh next steps.
Clients can expect a calm, respectful space to talk through problems and plan realistic change. Susan partners with each person to create a clear path forward and to practice skills that fit their life in New York and beyond.
How these approaches guide online work
Susan often uses client-centered methods that focus on the person’s priorities, listening carefully and shaping sessions around what the client says matters most. This approach helps people feel heard and decide what change looks like for them.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is another common tool she uses to identify unhelpful thoughts and test different behaviors. It works well for anxiety, depression, and stress by giving clear skills to practice between sessions. Motivational Interviewing is helpful when someone feels stuck about change; it uses respectful conversation to uncover motivations and increase readiness for action, often useful with substance use or other addictive patterns.
Finding the right approach is something the therapist and client figure out together. Susan treats the choice of methods as a collaboration, adjusting strategies based on goals, preferences, and what works in practice rather than deciding in advance.
If you are considering online work, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Many people find online therapy easier to fit into a busy day, reduces travel time, and lets them schedule brief check-ins around other commitments. Others prefer longer sessions to dig into complex family or relationship concerns. Susan will help match the session rhythm to your needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Susan help with?
Susan supports people facing addictions, relationship and family conflict, parenting challenges, stress, anxiety, depression, anger, self-esteem issues, intimacy concerns, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is conversational and person-focused. She tailors sessions to individual needs and prioritizes practical steps clients can try between appointments.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of family and personal challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is an LCSW licensed in New York and practices with those credential details in that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin sessions with Susan?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.