Margaret Swanson, LICSW

Margaret Swanson is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, and major life changes. She brings 25 years of experience in Vermont to each session and focuses on everyday thoughts and habits that shape how people feel and act. Her style is calm and direct, aimed at practical shifts rather than abstract talk.

Clients can expect conversations that zero in on what matters now. She listens for patterns in thinking and behavior, then works with each person to try small, doable changes. Sessions often include skills practice, problem solving, and attention to how relationships affect wellbeing.

Margaret uses a mix of approaches to match each person’s needs. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thinking, acceptance and commitment concepts to clarify values and action, and attachment-based work to look at how early relationships influence present choices. She also uses client-centered listening to keep the work grounded in the client’s priorities.

Her background includes long-term clinical experience with depression, bipolar mood concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting stress, and caregiver fatigue. She also supports people with ADHD, identity questions, and challenges related to adoption or loss. Practical coping skills are woven into longer-term exploration.

Sessions emphasize clear goals, steady progress, and respect for each person’s pace. People who want a therapist who notices everyday habits and helps create workable changes may find her approach useful.

How her approaches guide online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, get clear on their values, and take small actions that matter. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior and then practicing concrete alternatives to reduce distress. It often helps with anxiety, depression, and habit change. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current reactions and helps people build healthier ways of relating to others.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which mix of ACT, CBT, attachment ideas, or client-centered listening to try first and adjust over time.

Confirm current session options before booking because formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing appointments during breaks or from different locations. It can also let people try shorter check-ins or sessions without being on camera when that suits their needs. Licensed professionals can use these options to focus on practical habits, skills practice, and steady progress.