Susann Adams, LCSW-C

Susann Adams is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) with 25 years of practice in Maryland. She focuses on addiction and substance use concerns, as well as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and depression. Her approach is straightforward and goal-focused, aiming to meet people where they are in life and treatment.

She believes each person knows their own story and brings strengths to the work. Sessions are centered on the client's goals, whether that means working toward abstinence or reducing harm while still using substances. Shorter check-in sessions are also an option for people who feel anxious about beginning therapy.

Susann uses a mix of methods to support progress. She draws on client-centered techniques to follow each person’s priorities, cognitive behavioral tools to address unhelpful thinking and behavior, and motivational interviewing to build readiness for change. Narrative and dialectical approaches can be woven in when useful.

Her background includes work with Veterans and roles in the legal system as a treatment provider. That experience informs her practical, direct style and comfort addressing complex situations like trauma or legal-related treatment needs.

Sessions emphasize clear goals and small steps. The focus is on what clients can do between meetings and how to build on existing strengths. Susann encourages people to take the first step and helps them create a plan that fits their life.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on what matters most to the person in front of the therapist. It involves listening closely, reflecting what the client says, and building goals that fit the client's life. This approach helps when someone needs support sorting priorities or deciding what change should look like.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and actions influence mood and behavior. It breaks problems into manageable steps and offers practical techniques to try between sessions, which can be especially useful for anxiety, stress, and depression. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify their reasons for change and build readiness at their own pace. It is often used alongside work on addictions and substance use to support gradual progress.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the therapy process. The therapist will collaborate with the client to determine which approaches match their needs, goals, and preferences, and will adjust plans as progress is made.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and provide continuity during transitions. Licensed professionals can use these benefits to focus on skill-building, motivation, and practical next steps without promising particular outcomes.