Susan Russell completed a BA in Psychology at Kent State University and a Masters in Social Work at the University of Akron. She is licensed independently in social work and chemical dependency counseling with supervision endorsements. Susan completed 10 months intensive training with the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy and is a Member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Susan had worked in criminal justice, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment, and community mental health settings with children, adolescents, and adults with severe and persistent mental illness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders. Susan has presented trainings on recovery and motivational interviewing. Susan is in the process of becoming certified to work with nonbinary and transgender individuals through the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).