Susan Sethna , MSW, LICSW
Susan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Associate Clinical Director at Hamm Clinic. She is Asian Indian and Caucasian and identifies as multicultural. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from Carleton College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota. At Hamm Clinic, Susan provides individual and group therapy to clients and provides clinical supervision to clinical staff and clinical Social Work and Psychiatry trainees. She is involved in the development and maintenance of clinical policies and procedures at Hamm. Susan teaches in the clinic’s seminar series and other settings, focusing on the application of theory to practice, particularly the use of self.
Susan has a contemporary relational, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed, approach to her clinical work. She believes understanding our early experiences help us understand our patterns and that healing occurs in the context of an authentic relationship with an empathic and attuned therapist. She strives to bring an anti-oppressive and ecological (person in environment) stance and incorporates mindfulness and other skills into her work with clients.
Susan has served in a variety of roles at the clinic including Multicultural Liaison, Training Coordinator, and Acting Clinical Director. In her role as Multicultural Liaison Susan coordinated a group of clinicians of color from several agencies who provided conferences and workshops focusing on providing mental health services to people of color, including a conference by invitation at the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, Susan worked at Andrew residence as a Mental Health Worker and Living Skills Instructor, working with people experiencing serious and persistent mental illness.
