Susan Gallenz, LCSW

Susan Gallenz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Virginia with about 15 years of professional experience. She helps people who are coping with stress, anxiety, grief, anger, and issues related to LGBT identity and trauma and abuse. Her style is supportive and straightforward, and she encourages clients to see their own strengths as part of the healing process.

Susan draws on a long history of work with diverse populations. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia and served as an at-risk youth volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Jamaica. Over her career she has supported people dealing with panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, and workplace or relationship-related difficulties.

In sessions she centers each person’s story and looks for practical steps that fit their life. She talks through coping tools, communication strategies, and ways to reduce day-to-day distress. The focus is on small, doable changes that build toward feeling more stable.

Susan also addresses issues such as guilt, shame, isolation, social anxiety, self-love, forgiveness, and women’s concerns. She frames challenges as problems to solve together rather than failures to carry alone. Her approach aims to be encouraging while keeping the work focused and concrete.

If someone is ready to start, she asks them to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule based on availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and sessions are conducted in English in Virginia.

Approaches that guide online work and healing

Evidence-based therapeutic techniques often focus on clear, practical steps someone can try between sessions. One common approach helps people learn breathing and grounding tools to reduce panic and manage intense anxiety. These techniques teach simple practices to use when distress rises so a person can feel more steady in the moment.

Another helpful approach emphasizes processing traumatic memories and their impact on daily life. This work usually involves reviewing what happened at a pace that feels manageable and building skills to handle triggers and intrusive memories. It can reduce avoidance and help a person regain control over daily routines and relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the journey. The therapist will work collaboratively to choose methods that match each person’s needs, goals, and comfort level. Together they will adjust the plan as progress is made or as priorities change.

Confirm the available session formats before booking since the biography does not specify which online options are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. For many people this flexibility helps keep therapy consistent while working on stress, anxiety, grief, or trauma-related concerns.