“Compassion Deepens When We Learn to Listen, to Others, and to Ourselves.”
Susan A. Osofsky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose four-decade career reflects unwavering dedication to healing, advocacy, and the elevation of mental health practice. With more than 40 years of experience as a clinician, educator, consultant, and expert witness, she has built a reputation as a thoughtful leader whose work is marked by deep presence, intellectual rigor, and a profound respect for the human experience. Her approach blends traditional psychotherapeutic training with the grounded insight of long-term meditative practice, creating a distinctive and compassionate methodology that has shaped both her private practice and her influence in the broader field.
Susan’s professional journey began with early roles in crisis intervention and community mental health, where she gained extensive experience assessing and supporting individuals in acute psychological distress. These positions formed the foundation of her clinical strength, placing her in environments where calm, decisive action was essential. Working with individuals confronting suicidal ideation, psychiatric crisis, and court involvement, she learned to navigate high-intensity circumstances with clarity and empathy—skills that would later become central to her practice and teaching.
Her transition into private practice in 1995 marked the beginning of a long-standing commitment to individualized, trauma-informed care. Over the decades, Susan developed a highly respected specialization in obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma recovery, anxiety disorders, and relationship loss. Her clients consistently describe her as warm, deeply engaged, and wholly attuned to their emotional needs. She is known not only for her clinical expertise but also for her ability to build trust with clients who may have struggled in therapy settings before finding her. Her practice remains a place where individuals feel seen, understood, and supported through complex emotional landscapes.
In addition to her clinical work, Susan has made significant contributions as an educator in graduate social work programs. Since 2015, she has served as an online instructor for the University of New England Graduate School of Social Work, teaching advanced coursework in trauma, psychopharmacology, grief, substance abuse, and narrative therapy. Her students value her practical insight, depth of knowledge, and the calm, grounded presence she brings to the virtual classroom. Susan’s role as an educator reflects her passion for preparing the next generation of mental health professionals with both technical skill and compassionate awareness.
Susan’s leadership extends beyond academia into national training and continuing education for practicing clinicians. Through the Ferentz Institute and her own training organization, she presents full-day workshops on treating anxiety and OCD to clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, and psychiatric nurses across the country. Her training style is frequently described as engaging, clear, and infused with rich clinical examples that illustrate the nuances of evidence-based treatment. By sharing her expertise with thousands of professionals, she has made a lasting impact on the quality of care delivered throughout the mental health field.
Her commitment to service also led her to the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, where since 2016 she has conducted psychological evaluations for detained immigrants seeking asylum. In these cases, Susan’s assessments and courtroom testimony often play a pivotal role in illustrating the psychological consequences of trauma, persecution, and displacement. This work highlights her belief in the ethical responsibility of clinicians to support vulnerable populations and use their expertise to advance justice and human rights.
Throughout her career, Susan has continuously pursued advanced training to expand and refine her therapeutic approach. She is certified in EMDR, Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, and LifeForce Yoga for Depression, and has completed advanced trauma treatment certifications and mentorships with leaders in the field. These modalities allow her to integrate mind-body awareness, somatic sensitivity, and depth-oriented psychotherapy into her work, offering clients a holistic path toward healing. Her long-standing meditation practice enriches her sessions with grounded presence, fostering a therapeutic environment where clients feel supported in reconnecting with their own inner steadiness.
Colleagues and clients alike acknowledge Susan’s natural capacity for leadership. At the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, she has served as an on-site supervisor for more than two decades, coordinating volunteers, resolving crises, and supporting the operational flow of a major national conference. Her steady, thoughtful approach enables her to bring order to challenging situations while maintaining a sense of calm for those around her. She is respected not only for her clinical mastery but also for her ability to guide others with clarity, perspective, and kindness.
Today, Susan continues to shape the mental health landscape through her clinical practice, teaching, training, and expert evaluation work. Her interest in expanding into board service reflects a desire to bring her decades of experience to organizations committed to growth, ethical leadership, and community impact. She offers a unique combination of emotional intelligence, systems awareness, and human-centered insight—qualities that position her as a valuable contributor to strategic conversations, organizational development, and cultural wellness. Susan’s career is defined not only by expertise, but by a deep belief in listening, understanding, and fostering meaningful change.
Character:
Susan exemplifies character through her steadfast commitment to compassion, ethical practice, and the dignity of each individual she serves. Her extensive work with vulnerable populations demonstrates her integrity and willingness to apply her skills where they are most needed. She brings honesty, empathy, and grounded presence to every professional environment, earning trust across diverse communities.
Knowledge:
With more than four decades of clinical experience and advanced training in multiple therapeutic modalities, Susan possesses a deep and multidimensional understanding of mental health care. Her expertise in OCD, trauma, crisis intervention, and anxiety disorders is widely recognized among colleagues and students. She continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing education, research engagement, and collaboration with leaders in the field.
Strategic:
Susan’s background in crisis intervention, expert testimony, and academic instruction equips her with strong decision-making and analytical abilities. She evaluates complex situations thoughtfully, considering both immediate needs and long-term outcomes. Her ability to remain steady under pressure enables her to contribute meaningfully to strategic planning and organizational leadership.
Communication:
Known for her calm, attentive presence, Susan communicates with clarity, empathy, and precision. Clients and colleagues consistently praise her ability to listen deeply and articulate complex concepts in accessible ways. Whether speaking in court, in classrooms, or in clinical settings, she cultivates understanding and fosters trust through thoughtful and authentic dialogue.
