Susan Boswell

LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER & CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK FELLOW


I believe that every family has the resilience and capacity to heal, grow, and thrive, even in the face of adversity.

  • As a therapist, I love supporting teenagers and adults facing a range of challenges. I also work closely with individuals, couples, and families dealing with postpartum adjustments, adoption or foster care transitions, and the unique mental health needs of veterans and those in the military.

  • I specialize in therapy for foster care, military families, and postpartum concerns.

    In foster care therapy, the focus often revolves around building trust, coping with attachment issues, and navigating transitions.

    For military families, therapy addresses the challenges associated with deployments, relocation, and the impact of service-related stressors on family dynamics.

    Therapy for postpartum mental health offers a supportive and nurturing space for mothers to navigate the emotional challenges and transitions associated with childbirth and early parenthood.

  • Susan is a dedicated social worker with a passion for serving diverse populations and addressing complex needs. With a Master’s in Social Work from Nazareth College, Susan brings a wealth of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to her role. Her professional journey spans various settings, including clinical internships, school social work, foster care, and addiction treatment.

    During her internship at the Watertown Vet Center, Susan provided vital readjustment counseling to veterans, addressing issues such as PTSD, substance abuse, and military sexual trauma. She facilitated group therapy sessions, including an Intensive Outpatient Program for Dialectical Behavior Therapy, showcasing her ability to create supportive environments for healing and growth. Additionally, her experience as a school social worker at Watertown High School equipped her with crisis intervention skills and strategies to support students' academic and social-emotional development.

    Susan’s commitment to community well-being is evident in her employment history, where she served as a Foster Family Specialist and Case Planner/Foster Care at the House of the Good Shepherd, and as a Care Manager at Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions.

Ask Susan…

  • Yes, CBT has been found to be effective for couples and family therapy. It can help couples and families address communication issues, conflicts, and negative patterns of interaction by identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT techniques can empower individuals to develop healthier coping strategies, improve problem-solving skills, and enhance relationship satisfaction.

  • Common postpartum mental health issues include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postpartum psychosis. These conditions can manifest in various ways, ranging from feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue to intrusive thoughts, excessive worry, and in severe cases, hallucinations or delusions. It's important for individuals experiencing any of these symptoms to seek support and treatment from mental health professionals.

  • Yes, CBT has been found to be effective for addressing postpartum mental health concerns such as postpartum depression and anxiety. CBT techniques can help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and improve overall emotional well-being. Additionally, CBT can be adapted to specifically target issues commonly experienced during the postpartum period, such as adjusting to new roles, managing stress, and addressing parenting concerns. Working with a qualified therapist who specializes in postpartum mental health can provide valuable support and guidance in utilizing CBT to address these concerns effectively.

  • Foster families can benefit from therapy in several ways. Firstly, therapy can provide a safe and supportive space for foster parents to express their feelings, concerns, and challenges related to fostering, helping them cope with the emotional demands of the role. Additionally, therapy can offer guidance and strategies for managing behaviors and emotions of foster children, navigating complex family dynamics, and fostering healthy attachment relationships. Moreover, therapy can help foster families address any unresolved issues or traumas that may impact their ability to provide nurturing care, ultimately promoting the well-being and stability of both foster parents and children in their care.

  • CBT can help foster parents by providing them with strategies to effectively manage challenging behaviors, cope with stress, and enhance communication with foster children. It teaches them to recognize and modify their own thought patterns and reactions, promoting a more positive and supportive environment for the children in their care.

  • Yes, It's important for military personnel and veterans to see a therapist with experience in working with the military and veteran population because these therapists possess specialized knowledge and understanding of the unique challenges, experiences, and cultural factors associated with military service. They are familiar with the specific stressors related to deployments, combat exposure, separation from loved ones, and transitioning to civilian life, among other issues. Therapists with this experience can offer tailored interventions and support that resonate with military and veteran clients, fostering trust, rapport, and a deeper connection in therapy. Additionally, they may be better equipped to address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma, adjustment difficulties, and reintegration into civilian life effectively. Overall, seeking therapy from a provider with military and veteran experience can enhance the effectiveness and relevance of mental health support for individuals within this population.

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