Susanna Cheatham, LPC

Susanna Cheatham is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 30 years of experience helping people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma and abuse, and relationship or intimacy struggles. She works with clients who are dealing with addiction, parenting strain, sleep problems, anger, low self-esteem, career transitions, and compassion fatigue. Susanna aims to listen first and then help people find practical steps that make daily life easier.

She blends several proven approaches to match each person’s needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the main tools she uses to spot unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. Client-Centered methods keep the work focused on the person’s goals and values. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness practices are added when people need skills for emotion regulation and grounding.

Susanna emphasizes teamwork in the room. She supports self-determination and helps people weigh options and set achievable goals. Sessions are aimed at clear, doable changes rather than long lists of theory.

Her background spans three decades of counseling adults in Alabama and beyond. She brings a calm, straightforward style and uses listening, questions, and skill teaching to help people move forward. Susanna balances empathy with practical strategies to improve day-to-day functioning.

Outside work she lives in Alabama with her husband and several pets. She enjoys time with her children and grandchildren, travel, and a variety of hobbies that keep her curious and energized.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Susanna commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors; CBT works well for anxiety, depression, panic, and many daily struggles. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions focused on each person's goals and values, offering a respectful, listening-based space that helps people figure out what matters most. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, when used, teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, reducing impulsivity, and improving relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Plans are adjusted over time so the approach stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full-session conversations and skills practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or a quick verbal check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit brief updates, skill reminders, or people who prefer written exchanges. These formats make scheduling more flexible and help therapy fit into busy days.