The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

Susan has been a devoted advocate for children and families since 1975.  She was a Special Education teacher for “Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disordered” elementary aged  children and a curriculum writer for 5 years. She  graduated from the University of Chicago in 1980 in Clinical Social Work. This began her career with marginalized families and children in a variety of settings: Inpatient for Children and Adolescents, Director of Circle Therapeutic School, Director of Social Work for a Children’s Inpatient Unit, Collaborator with the Louisiana State Department of Children and Family Services Sexual Abuse project, Therapeutic Nursery School, Governor appointed Foster Care Review Board member, simultaneously having a private psychotherapy practice.

She also formally studied Family Systems and Narrative Therapy and has written 2 book chapters and journal articles on topics from abuse, exceptional children, genetic testing.

In 1993 she returned to Chicago and began a private practice and joined the Faculty of The Chicago Center for Family Health. At this time, she began specializing in the hardships and dilemmas of chronically ill individuals and families. From navigating the medical systems to the psychosocial issues of illness,  she began teaching postdoctoral level  mental health care providers as well as presenting multiple workshops. She started groups for medically ill patients and became very passionate about their concerns.

In 2007 she completed a documentary about chronic illness entitled, “It’s about Living” . It was cocreated with members of her illness group who shared their stories with a Chicago Art Institute filmmaker. 

Susan also started a nonprofit organization called Caring Voices to aid in the isolation,loss and frustrations people face with life altering illnesses.  

She also was an Adjunct Faculty member at Loyola University while participating in a School Social Worker Supervision Project for many years.

Currently, she has a private practice in Evanston, Illinois. She runs a group for medically ill young adults (18-30). She collaborates with the CAPS program at Northwestern University. 

Susan is interested in Mind-Body approaches for not only medical illnesses but for a range of anxiety, mood disorders and trauma. 

Currently Accepting Referrals:  

Chronic medical illness of all ages