Susan Dascenzi, MSW, VSTCLP, LCSW

Online Therapy, ILTinley Park, IL

About Susan Dascenzi

I believe that EVERY person is the expert of their own life, but, sometimes, current (or past) life experiences get in the way of managing those day-to-day challenges and create traumas, stresses, and feelings that make it hard to cope. I believe that it is every person's birthright to live the life they desire, the way that best suits them, and in a way that creates a deep feeling of worth and value... every day. Yet, conditioning often gets in the way of achieving that feeling.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 27 years in the social service field, I have extensive experience in providing individual, couple, family, and group therapy to a diverse clientele. From outpatient and inpatient settings, to private practice, corrections, and Veteran Affairs settings, I am passionate in assisting clients to become self-empowered and manage their issues/challenges as a partner in healing. I believe in utilizing the therapeutic process to offer tools and skills the client can take home and apply from each session without using some cookie-cutter formula. 

I believe the therapy process is as individual and unique as each client and issue and therefore utilize a variety of approaches to assist each person in identifying and achieving their goals. As an interactive therapist, I specialize in addressing issues related to Trauma and PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Management, Substance Abuse/Use and Addictions, Self-Esteem, Confidence, and Worth, Sexual Trauma and Dysfunction, Emotional Abuse, Conflict Resolution and Communication Issues (whether in individual relationships or with the family unit), Workplace Issues, Anger Management, and Life Transitions.

My specialized training in guided imagery work allows me to utilize very specific and specialized techniques and tools that assist each person in removing the emotional and physical blocks that prevent them from living their true potential and uncovering the root cause of their issue. My holistic approach to the restoration and maintenance of health and balance provides a genuinely compassionate and empathetic environment where my clients say they feel free to "open into the issues without judgment or fear."

Additional Certificates

Certified DUI Evaluator Instructor - 10-hour Risk Education Certified Instructor - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certified Victim Advocate/Rape Crisis Counselor Certified and Licensed Vibrational Sound Therapist Journey Practitioner

Appointment Types

Individual CounselingCouples TherapyFamily Therapy (Adults)

Accepted Insurances

Blue Cross Blue ShieldMedicareMultiPlanOptum/United Healthcare/United Behavioral HealthAetna/First HealthCofinityCigna/EvernorthCash (Not Using Insurance)The AllianceEAP

Specializing In

Anxiety
Depression
Grief and Bereavement
Men's Issues
Stress
Alcohol, Drugs or Substance Use
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Women's Issues
First Responders/Law EnforcementHealthcare ProfessionalsVictim/Survivor of Abuse or Other Interpersonal CrimeEmotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)Panic AttacksSeparation AnxietyPhobiasPostpartum/Perinatal DepressionIntimacy IssuesOpen Relationships and Non-MonogamySchool or College StressADHD/ADDGender Dysphoria or TransitioningSubstance-Related and Addictive DisordersTrauma-RelatedC-PTSD (Complex PTSD)Body ImageCancerDiscriminationSexual DysfunctionSexual Assault/Rape VictimArmed Robbery VictimPsychological Factors Affecting Other Medical ConditionsCritical Incident Stress ResponseAnger ManagementWork or Career StressBipolarBullyingChronic or Terminal IllnessChronic PainCodependencyDivorce or SeparationDomestic Violence VictimFamily ConflictFinancial StressGamblingInfidelityInternet AddictionLife TransitionsMarriage ProblemsMood DisorderObesityObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)ParentingPerpetrators of Crime/Abuse/Sexual OffenderPremarital CounselingRelationship/Family StressSelf EsteemSex TherapySexual AddictionInsomniaSocial AnxietySuicidal IdeationVideo Game AddictionCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)Compassion FocusedCulturally SensitiveEmotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)Family SystemsGestaltHumanisticInterpersonalJungianMindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)ExistentialPerson-CenteredPositive PsychologySolution Focused TherapyTrauma FocusedPsychodynamicRational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)Schema TherapyTranspersonalAviation ProfessionalsBisexual/Pansexual AlliedBody PositivityCancer AlliedGay AlliedIntersex AlliedLesbian AlliedNon-Binary AlliedQueer AlliedSex-Positivity / KinkTransgender AlliedMilitary/Veteran AlliedFaith Based - BuddhistFaith Based - ChristianFaith Based - JewishFaith Based - Other Spiritual or Religious Affiliations