Dr. Susan Frauenholtz , LISW, LCSW

Dr. Susan Frauenholtz is a licensed social worker with two decades of clinical experience who partners with adults to address life transitions, relationships, and emotional distress. Based in Utah, she offers a collaborative, strengths-based approach that centers each person’s values and goals while tailoring interventions to fit individual needs and preferences.

She works primarily with women on concerns such as anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, grief and loss, relational challenges, and adapting to major life changes. Her work also includes supporting people who have experienced trauma and helping them move toward greater fulfillment. Dr. Frauenholtz is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-informed method for resolving the impact of past traumatic events.

Dr. Frauenholtz holds the credentials LISW and LCSW - LISW stands for Licensed Independent Social Worker and LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker - indicating advanced training and authorization to provide clinical social work services. She creates a nonjudgmental, welcoming space and emphasizes practical strategies, emotional validation, and collaborative problem solving. Her aim is to help clients build resilience, improve relationships, and regain confidence as they navigate challenges and pursue meaningful change.

She believes that reaching out for support is a meaningful first step and approaches therapy as a partnership focused on tangible progress and personal strengths.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Susan Frauenholtz uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as core tools in her online practice. Client-centered therapy emphasizes respect, empathy, and collaboration - it creates a supportive environment where clients explore their values and make choices that fit their lives. This approach is helpful for building self-esteem, improving relationships, and navigating life changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT offers practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching skills that can be applied between sessions. Motivational Interviewing is another approach she employs to support people who are ambivalent about change by eliciting their own motivations and strengthening commitment to personal goals.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Frauenholtz works collaboratively with each person to determine which approaches best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which makes it easier to integrate care into busy lives. These options allow therapists and licensed professionals to deliver consistent support across distances and time zones, helping clients access care that fits their schedules and circumstances.