Susan Andrea Rivard
LCPC, LBS1, EMDR Trained Clinician
Susan (she/hers) has 16 years of experience in counseling children, adolescents, couples, and groups. She has worked in private practice, residential, PHP, and the emergency room. Lastly, Susan taught as a special education teacher for 14 years, specializing in Autism, and a plethora of children’s disabilities. Currently Susan’s passion is to help others and continue her path in counseling, specializing in EMDR. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking healthy meals and playing with her ten-year-old daughter. In addition, she is an avid walker and artist who enjoys painting murals and making yoga necklaces for people who need special care at the moment. Susan is a big advocate for women with alopecia and young women with breast cancer. She has gone above and beyond helping women receive human hair pieces and feel better about themselves. She is also very involved helping others with new allergies and how to cope as well as helped many people who have been severely injured in accidents. Lastly, Susan believes in the power of meditation, friendships, and spending time with her family.
Susan provides services for the following challenges:
- EMDR Trained
- Anxiety, agoraphobia, social phobia, OCD, FEAR
- Depression
- Grief
- Post-Traumatic Stress, Complex Trauma
- ADHD
- Autism via ABA Natural Pairing
- School Failure
- Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain
- Anger Management
- Divorce
- Burnout
- Narcissistic abuse
- Couples/Marriages
- Parenting
- Children of divorce
- Adoption
- Sexual Assault
- Career challenges or transitions
- Self-Worth and Self -Esteem
Approaches
Susan is trained in evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ERP, Motivational Interviewing, ACT, ABA Natural Pairing, EMDR, TEACCH, PECS, 504 and IEPs. In addition, she will help you understand and function better in your daily life so you can enjoy it more, live aligned with your values, and reach goals. She helps clients understand their strengths, instill hope for change, and begin healing. Susan will help you identify patterns that have caused repeated distress, assist with processing stress and suffering, and together build goals.
Susan’s Personality
Susan knew at a young age (10!) that she was going to be a therapist. Her personality is kind, genuine, caring, and non-judgmental. She knows from experience that life can be challenging and can change in a minute. She has helped many people heal from a plethora of challenges. Susan is a positive and supportive guide who can help you build a path of healing.
Susan works with children ages 13 and up to all ages… Please contact info@lifesolutionsgroup.org to request an appointment.
Professional Memberships
- Society for Tourette’s Syndrome
- NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Education & Training
- Masters in Counseling at Governors State University, University Park
- DePaul University, Lincoln Park, Downtown Chicago
License & Certifications
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- EMDR Trained Clinician
- Learning Behavior Specialist 1, LBS1
- Certificates in Anger Management, TEACCH, PECS
