Susan Burkhart, LISW-S

Location: 620 E. Broad Street, Ste 301, Columbus, OH

Susan is an independently licensed clinical social worker with supervisory designation (LISW-S) in the state of Ohio. She has worked in the mental health field for nearly 30 years, holding space for individuals across the lifespan and from a wide range of backgrounds. She considers it both a privilege and an honor to walk alongside clients as they explore, heal, and grow.

Susan’s professional journey began with undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Bowling Green State University, followed by my Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University. Since then, she has committed her career to supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes, including mood disorders, eating disorders, trauma, and patterns of avoidance or disconnection.

She brings a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to therapy, integrating a range of modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. Her clinical foundation is rooted in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), and also pulls from training and experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Therapy.

Susan also brings a deep love for psychoeducation into the therapy space—She believes that when people understand why they think or behave a certain way, they gain flexibility, insight, and a sense of empowerment over their lives, relationships, boundaries, and sense of self.

At the heart of her practice is a strong belief in authenticity, collaboration, and inclusivity. She strives to meet each client where they are, with openness, curiosity, and deep respect. She does not assume to know what someone’s experience has been; instead, she asks, listens, and learns—so that she can walk with them more effectively through their healing and growth.

Susan views therapy as a deeply relational and meaningful process. She brings warmth and compassion into her work, coupled with a commitment to finding strengths-based solutions. She enjoys working with individuals exploring identity, navigating anxiety or depression, building healthier relationships, or adjusting to life’s transitions.

If there’s one thing Susan hopes to offer every client, it’s this: the freedom to reclaim flexibility, autonomy, and empowerment—in thoughts, in actions, and in how they relate to themselves and others.