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SC Portrait of Susanna Cheatham

Susanna Cheatham

Compassionate therapist blending empathy and evidence-based care

LPC Alabama

Experience
30 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Susanna

About Susanna

Susanna Cheatham is a licensed professional counselor with 30 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship and intimacy concerns, and a wide range of life challenges.

Background and approach

She brings a compassionate, solution-oriented approach that balances empathy with practical strategies aimed at improving daily functioning and overall well-being. Susanna views counseling as a collaborative effort in which the client’s priorities and autonomy guide the work.

Her practice blends evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with client-centered listening, elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), existential reflection, and mindfulness practices to tailor treatment to each person’s needs. She also addresses issues like addictions, sleep difficulties, caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, attachment and abandonment concerns, anger, self-esteem, and questions of life purpose.

Susanna emphasizes supporting clients as they build skills, discover meaning, and pursue healthier patterns. Based in Alabama and practicing in English, she aims to create a respectful, collaborative space where clients set goals and work toward them through practical tools and thoughtful exploration.

Outside of work she enjoys family time, travel, and life with her husband and pets.

Integrating Therapeutic Approaches into Online Care

Susanna commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. She also uses client-centered principles to provide empathic listening and to make the client’s goals and values central to the work. These approaches are often paired with mindfulness techniques to support emotion regulation and present-moment awareness.

Finding the right approach is an evolving process and Susanna treats it as a collaborative exploration. She works with each person to clarify goals, try strategies, and adjust methods based on what proves most useful. Clients help guide which techniques are prioritized, and adjustments are made in response to progress and preferences.

Online therapy with Susanna offers flexible access through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit regular sessions into busy schedules. These options allow for ongoing skill practice, check-ins between sessions, and varied communication styles to suit different needs, while keeping the focus on practical tools and meaningful progress.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Susanna commonly address?
She supports work on stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, sleep problems, parenting and career concerns, and related life changes.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her style is compassionate and collaborative, combining client-centered listening with evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT skills, mindfulness, existential exploration, and motivational interviewing as appropriate.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 30 years of professional experience working with people across a wide range of concerns and life stages.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds an LPC credential and practices in Alabama with the license identifier AL LPC LPC02110.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available with her?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client preference and availability.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved to begin therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Alabama

Languages

English