Susan Nowinski
LCSW, PEL
Clinician
Master’s in Social Work
University of Chicago
Susan has over 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages in multidisciplinary settings including schools, agencies, and community-based organizations. She specializes in neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, identity, and life transitions, including post-secondary transition planning. Susan also supports parents of kids whose unique minds lead them to walk their own path.
Susan is passionate about helping clients learn about themselves and their needs so they can make decisions and better self-advocate. Susan integrates a systems approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Expressive Arts, Humanistic, and strengths-based methods.
Sometimes we feel stuck or overwhelmed and don’t even know where to start. We may have thoughts, fears and messages from the past swirling in our minds with no place to land.
I help clients sort through everything on their mind, identify the goals and values that can lead them to a path, and support them as they navigate it.
Together, we’ll figure out what needs to happen to create change by understanding how your brain works and exploring how your past has shaped you, all while developing the practical tools and finding the resources to manage the day-to-day.
My favorite thing is making jewelry inspired by nature’s shapes and colors.
As a self-taught artisan, I’ve aspired to be a jewelry entrepreneur for almost as long as I’ve been a social worker. I value the freedom of the process: I can follow a plan, create intuitively, and adapt along the way, embracing the imperfections that add character to a one-of-a-kind piece.
My passion lies in working with people who identify as neurodivergent - or have a family member who is - and those who are feeling stuck or lost and want to move forward with clarity. I specialize in stress management, identity, self-esteem, life transitions, post-secondary transition planning, employment readiness, executive functioning, self-advocacy, and social skills, all with a trauma-informed lens.
Susan Nowinski
LCSW, PEL
