Susan Acosta

Compassionate, practical care for life changes

LCSW New York

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Addictions, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Susan

Susan Acosta is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people navigate addictions, relationship struggles, family conflict, stress, anxiety, depression, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem.

Background and approach

She works with people facing parenting challenges, anger, coping with life changes, and more specific concerns such as blended family dynamics, codependency, dependent personality patterns, divorce and separation, and drug and alcohol addiction. Her approach centers on respectful, sensitive, and compassionate engagement; she adapts conversations and treatment plans to each person’s particular circumstances and goals.

Susan draws from cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients identify patterns of thinking and behavior that maintain distress, and she combines that with client-centered principles to keep the work grounded in the client’s perspective. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies are used when helping clients clarify priorities and make practical changes.

Clients can expect a collaborative stance aimed at empowerment and real-world progress. Susan emphasizes that seeking change takes courage and offers steady support while people take steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Offered Online

Susan uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns; this approach is practical for addressing anxiety, depression, addictions, and stress by building concrete skills and new coping strategies. She also incorporates client-centered therapy, which emphasizes listening, empathy, and collaboration so that the work stays aligned with each person’s priorities and lived experience. Motivational interviewing is used when clients are weighing change, offering a respectful way to explore ambivalence and strengthen motivation for steps forward.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Susan works collaboratively to determine which methods best match a person’s needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques over time so the plan evolves with progress and changing circumstances.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility for people with varied schedules and locations. These formats allow for consistent support while accommodating work, family, or other commitments, and they make it easier to maintain momentum between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Susan commonly address?

Susan supports people with addictions, relationship and family issues, stress, anxiety, depression, intimacy-related concerns, parenting, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on blended family issues, codependency, dependent personality, divorce and separation, and drug and alcohol addiction.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is respectful, sensitive, and compassionate, emphasizing collaboration and tailoring dialogue and treatment to each person’s needs and goals.

What is her professional background?

She brings 20 years of professional work experience supporting clients through a range of behavioral health and relationship concerns.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She is an LCSW licensed in New York with license number NY LCSW 053059 and practices from New York.

Which languages does she offer therapy in and can she see international clients?

Therapy is offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for working together?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client preference and availability.

How are fees and payments handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflicts

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCodependencyDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addiction

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English