Dr. Susan Frauenholtz, LISW, LCSW

Dr. Susan Frauenholtz uses a cognitive behavioral approach to help people manage worrying thoughts and change unhelpful patterns. She combines CBT with client-centered listening and practical strategies to address daily stress and emotional struggles. Susan is a licensed social worker with LISW and LCSW credentials and brings 20 years of clinical experience to her work in Utah.

She focuses on common concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, and mood challenges including bipolar disorder. She also helps people facing trauma and abuse, addiction, sleep and eating problems, and burnout from caregiving or compassion fatigue. Susan supports those sorting out relationship and parenting stress as well as career or life-purpose questions.

Susan draws on motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to clarify goals and build momentum. Narrative therapy is used when it helps people rewrite the stories that keep them stuck. Sessions emphasize practical steps, small experiments, and new skills clients can use between meetings.

Her style is strengths-based and collaborative. People who come to her can expect straightforward conversation, clear tools, and attention to personal values and identity, including LGBT and women’s issues. Counseling is adapted to each person’s pace and priorities.

She accepts sessions delivered in multiple formats and works with people who live in different places, including international clients. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions based on availability.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating difficulties, and mood challenges by giving concrete skills to change daily patterns.

Client-centered therapy centers on being listened to and respected. This approach helps people name their values and make choices that fit who they are. Motivational interviewing supports readiness to change by exploring ambivalence and finding internal reasons to try something different.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust as progress is made. Together they decide which ideas and exercises are most helpful.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs. Video works well for in-depth conversation and skill teaching. Phone can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and messaging suit brief check-ins, ongoing encouragement, and people who prefer written contact. These options add flexibility for busy schedules and different comfort levels.