About | Dr Susan Richardson

Real Support from Someone Who Knows the Struggle

I Believe…

💡 You are not "too much." You are not "too late." You are not selfish for wanting something more.
💡 You deserve space to be heard, supported, and understood—without judgment.
💡 Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in safe, compassionate relationships.

For over 20 years, I’ve helped therapists, caregivers, and women in transition reclaim their space, rediscover their needs, and rewrite their next chapter—without guilt.

If you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or like you’ve lost yourself along the way, I want you to know: there’s a way forward. And you don’t have to do it alone.

I Know What It’s Like to Be the One Holding It All Together

I see it every day—the therapist who listens to everyone else but has nowhere to unload her own struggles. The caregiver who is running on fumes but doesn’t know how to stop without feeling guilty. The woman who has spent decades fulfilling roles for others and now wonders, What about me?

And if I’m being honest?
I know these struggles well.

I come from a big family where over-responsibility was second nature. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re carrying too much, always anticipating other people’s needs before your own. I’ve walked through my own life transitions—the ones that shake up your identity and force you to ask, Who am I now?

And what I’ve learned is this:

You can take off the weight of expectations. You can redefine what your life looks like. You can put yourself back on your own priority list—without guilt.

Therapy isn’t about fixing you. You’re not broken. It’s about giving you the space to figure out what you need—and actually giving yourself permission to have it.

My Approach: No Fluff, No Judgment, Just Real Support

Therapy with me is warm, direct, and down-to-earth. I won’t throw psychobabble at you. I won’t hand you a worksheet and call it a day. What I will do is:

✔ Help you untangle what’s weighing you down—the thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that keep you stuck.
✔ Hold space for the parts of you that feel lost, exhausted, or unseen.
✔ Challenge the stories that say your needs don’t matter.
✔ Give you practical strategies to build the life you actually want.
✔ Use humor where I can—because sometimes, we need to laugh through the hardest stuff.

My Professional Background & Credentials

Doctorate & Master’s in Clinical Psychology
Private Practice Therapist (2004–Present)
Training Director of an APA-Accredited Internship Program (2000–2005)
Clinical experience in hospitals, ER assessments, and crisis intervention
Supervision & mentorship of doctoral-level psychology interns
Member of the Illinois Psychological Association
Licensed in Illinois, and South Carolina

My work is rooted in evidence-based approaches, including:

✔ Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – for shifting unhelpful thought patterns
✔ Relaxation & Stress Management Techniques – because burnout isn’t a badge of honor
✔ Strength-Based & Positive Psychology Methods – to help you build resilience, not just survive

But most of all, my approach is human. We may laugh sometimes. Because therapy isn’t just about techniques—it’s about connection.

Who I Work With

I specialize in working with:

🟡 Therapists & Helping Professionals – Because you deserve support, too.
🟡 Caregivers & Over-Responsibility Experts – It’s time to put yourself back on your list.
🟡 Women in Transition (Empty Nest, Menopause, Career Changes, etc.) – Let’s figure out what’s next.

If you see yourself in any of these, let’s talk. There’s no pressure—just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.