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Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED

(Susan Lesher, PH.D.)

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Health Psychology
Professional interests include: chronic pain, anxiety, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and more.
9600 Gross Point Road Suite 1200
Skokie, IL 60076

Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED is a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL specializing in health psychology. Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED is affiliated with Endeavor Health and ENDEAVOR HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP.

View Provider's Full Profile (847) 425-6400

Office Locations

800 Biesterfield Road Suite 610
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 981-3630
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Endeavor Health

9600 Gross Point Road Suite 1200
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 425-6400
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Some issues Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED can help you with:

Anxiety

Anxiety is a generic name given to a variety of conditions characterized by unusual amounts of fear and worry, especially unrealistic fears and tension. People who suffer from anxiety often are aware that their fears are irrational, but that knowledge does not make the feeling of being scared and anxious go away. To qualify as anxiety, symptoms must last for 6 months or more and interfere with the way a person lives their daily life. Some cases may be mild, where, for example, a person simply avoids certain situations. Other cases can be severe enough to be disabling.

Some of the specific conditions covered under the general label of anxiety include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Phobias
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Social phobia
  • Panic disorder

Collectively, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues diagnosed in the United States -- even more common than depression. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety, and it is extremely common for a person with anxiety to have another illness at the same time, such as depression, a physical illness, or substance abuse.

Treatment for anxiety usually involves medication and psychotherapy together. Medications used may include antidepressants (which also work for anxiety), anti-anxiety medications, or beta blockers (which can be used to control the physical symptoms of anxiety). Psychotherapy can be useful to teach patients new ways of thinking and reacting so that they can manage their feelings of worry and fear. Support groups can also be very effective for anxiety, and they can be a form of treatment themselves for social phobias. Stress management, relaxation techniques, and meditation all help reduce feelings of anxiety or of being out of control. Finally, having a strong support network of family and friends is an excellent way to help manage the difficulties of life with anxiety.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy or treatment for mental illness. It comes in a variety of methods, but the basic concept behind all CBT is the same -- thoughts cause feelings, which cause actions. If someone wishes to change problematic behaviors or emotions in their lives, they need to start by changing their thoughts. CBT examines ideas and looks for patterns that may be causing harmful actions. The therapist helps patients modify those thought patterns and, in doing so, helps them feel better and cope more effectively.

CBT is one of the most widely studied forms of psychotherapy, and it has been shown to be extremely effective for a variety of mental illnesses. Some of the issues that respond well to CBT include mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and psychotic disorders. In some cases, CBT has been shown to be as effective or even more effective than medication. One of the interesting things that the scientific study of CBT has shown is that CBT actually changes the way the brain works, physically improving its function.

CBT differs from traditional psychotherapy in a few key ways. One of the most important distinctions is the emphasis on the power and responsibility of the patient in CBT. The patient will be encouraged to be the one asking the questions in CBT therapy, and most patients are assigned homework to complete outside of therapy sessions. There is a concept in CBT that everyone has power the power to change how they feel, even if they cannot control the situation, and this can be very empowering for patients. Because of this power shift, the therapist-client relationship is not as critical to success in CBT as it is in other modes of therapy. Patients should still get along well with their therapists, but they do not need a deep, dependent emotional connection to them. Finally, because CBT often treats a specific issue or problem, it is usually shorter in duration than traditional therapy. While some therapies may continue for years, CBT lasts on average just 16 sessions.

Depression

Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."

Some common symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling sad, guilty, empty or hopeless
  • Fatigue and a lack of energy and motivation
  • A loss of pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyed
  • Unusual sleep or eating habits
  • Mental fog -- trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Physical aches and pains
  • Suicidal thoughts or a preoccupation with death

We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.

Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.

Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2017 were health and behavior assessment and mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

health and behavior assessment 184
mental health therapy 68

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED.

Gender
Male 24
Female 42
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2017

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2017 were hypertension, depression, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 41
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 61
Chronic Kidney Disease 23
Asthma 18
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 27
Dementia 24
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2018 were mental health therapy and health and behavior assessment.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

health and behavior assessment 115
mental health therapy 188

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED.

Gender
Male 20
Female 49
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 58
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 32
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 25

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2018

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2018 were high cholesterol, depression, hypertension and dementia.

Hypertension 55
High Cholesterol 59
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 58
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 23
Diabetes 26
Dementia 39
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2019 were mental health therapy and health and behavior assessment.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

health and behavior assessment 111
mental health therapy 220

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED.

Gender
Male 15
Female 34
Age
From 65 to 74 20
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 16

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2019

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2019 were depression, high cholesterol, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 65
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 67
Chronic Kidney Disease 37
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 37
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2020 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 181

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2020 were depression, hypertension and high cholesterol.

Hypertension 56
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 68
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2021 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 285

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2021 were depression and hypertension.

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 0
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 63
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2022 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 213

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2022 were high cholesterol and hypertension.

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 0
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL during 2023 were mental health therapy.

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

mental health therapy 181

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated during 2023 were high cholesterol and hypertension.

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 0
Depression 0
Chronic Kidney Disease 0
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 0
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2017 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated as a health psychologist in Elk Grove Village, IL were mental health therapy and health and behavior assessment.

health and behavior assessment 136
mental health therapy 190

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2017 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED.

Gender
Male 8
Female 17
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 8
Hispanic 0
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Other 0
Age
85 and over 0
75 to 84 0
Less than 65 10
65 to 74 7

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED From 2017 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 10
Depression 45
Chronic Kidney Disease 12
Asthma 2
Osteoporosis 0
Heart Failure 2
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 5
Diabetes 12
Atrial Fibrillation 0
Cancer 0
Dementia 9

Education & Training

She has a state license in Illinois.

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Susan K. Lesher, PhD, MED is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Endeavor Health
ENDEAVOR HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP

Ratings & Reviews

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Biography

Dr. Susan Lesher is a health psychology specialist in Elk Grove Village, IL and Skokie, IL. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Lesher include depression, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and anxiety. She is affiliated with Endeavor Health.

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