About Susan Maguire, LCSW

A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, smiling, wearing a dark denim jacket with large buttons and a silver necklace, posing against a neutral background.

My Approach

I work from relational, attachment and insight‑oriented therapy approaches. What does that mean in plain English? In our therapy together, we will pay attention to the relationships and patterns that have shaped your life, the emotions and needs you’ve learned to push aside, and the pressures you’ve been carrying — often for years.

We will go at your pace. My role is not to offer quick fixes or surface‑level strategies. It is to help you explore what’s beneath the surface — the expectations, beliefs, and long‑standing ways of coping that may no longer serve you.

Together, we look at what feels heavy, what feels unclear, and what might support a more grounded and sustainable way forward for your life.

Therapy in isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about reconnecting with yourself — with clarity, compassion, and steadiness.

Who I Work With

Many of the people I work with are capable, accomplished, dependable. From the outside you often look and seem fine. On the inside you may be experiencing anxiety, worry, depletion, and wondering why life doesn’t feel the way you expected it to.

You might be trying to navigate:

•     Anxiety or chronic stress that won’t let up

•     A low mood, emotional fatigue, or flatness

•     Grief, loss or another major life transition (or “disruption”)

•     Perfectionism, relentless self‑pressure

•     Questions about identity, purpose, or what you want at this point in life

If any of this resonates with you, you’re in the right place. I welcome an opportunity for us to talk.

If you’ve always been the capable one who holds it all together, shows up, and keeps everything on track — you may have arrived at a point where that’s no longer working the way it used to.

You may be carrying responsibilities you never imagined. Navigating hard transitions you didn’t choose. Or noticing emotional patterns that no longer feel okay.

I’m Susan Maguire, a licensed therapist and certified coach based in Oldtown, Alexandria, Virginia. I work with adults — many in midlife — who are carrying more than they may acknowledge — and are ready to focus on themselves and to feel better. Much of my work is with midlife women — and I also work with anyone who is drawn to doing reflective, insight-oriented work and are genuinely wanting to grow.

Request a private, no-fee consultation call

People who enjoy working with me are generally seekers — individuals who are reflective, thoughtful and seek to understand themselves better and improve their life.

A woman sitting on a gray leather couch with beige pillows in a well-lit room, wearing a peach blouse, black pants, and gray shoes, with a gentle smile and her chin resting on her hand.

Experience & Credentials

I’ve been working as a therapist for 15 years, with licenses as a clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. I continually expand my skills through continuing education, and have completed post-graduate training in:

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Mindfulness-Based CBT

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

  • Professional Coaching - Certified as PCC (Professional Certified Coach) with International Coach Federation, ICF

EDUCATION: M.S.W., Masters Social Work, Catholic University; M.A., American University, B.S., University of Colorado

LICENSES as Clinical Social Worker: LCSW (Virginia), LICSW (Washington, DC), LCSW-C (Maryland)

More About Me

Like many of the clients who I work with in therapy, I have experienced emotional struggles, tough experiences and challenging transitions. My own personal work in therapy helped me so much that it motivated me to change careers, so I could help others in a similar way. My previous career was in communication and coaching roles in and for corporations, media, foundations and US government agencies (NIH, Department of State, CDC). This experience is also invaluable to me in my understanding of clients in demanding professions.

My company’s name, Clear Skye Counseling, was inspired by the expansive views and beauty of the Isle of Skye, in Scotland. I hope therapy with me can offer you expansiveness, clarity, and a brighter view.

I have the utmost respect for people who want to live with more authenticity, peace and growth, and feel honored to do this important work with them every day. ‍ ‍

Residential buildings on a city street with a sidewalk in Alexandria VA, small front yards, and trees.

LOCATIONS

IN PERSON, Office in historic Old Town, Alexandria VA

ONLINE, available for residents of VA, DC & MD

A cozy living room therapist office with a blue armchair with a rust-colored pillow, a small side table with decorative items, a patterned rug, a beige desk chair, a lamp, and a wall clock.
Living room with a dark gray sofa, a blue armchair, and a colorful patterned rug. There are two lamps, a side table with glasses, and a window with natural light.