Therapists in Madison, WI

I know that seeking therapy can be an intensely vulnerable act. My goal as your therapist will be to meet that vulnerability with the care and understanding that it deserves. This means approaching your concerns with curiosity and respect for all of the identities and experiences that you bring to the table. I have extensive experience working with adults with a variety of backgrounds, and make every effort to acknowledge how your environment, cultural factors and systems of power/oppression have shaped the concerns that have brought you to therapy.

I decided to become a therapist because of my passion for helping others. My mission is to help others heal and grow. When people have a safe space to explore their concerns, the possibilities for healing and growth are endless. It is an honor for me to provide that space and empower others to identify the next steps in their journey. I facilitate a welcoming, safe, judgment-free zone. I promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. My approach is trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.

I have 40 years of experience doing psychotherapy. I have become particularly skilled at seeing what is happening with individuals, and between couples, and I share that so that you can understand what you are dealing with. We work collaboratively and creatively; I check to be sure my directions and suggestions are meaningful to you. I make sure that you are learning something significant about yourself in every session. You deserve the respect and support you need to go into uncharted territory. I care about my clients and my clients know it; that is the inspiration that keeps my work exciting to me.

It can be hard to ask for help especially if you are struggling. I believe that no one succeeds in life without help from others. I am a person centered therapist; I am here to get to know you so we can work together to create a supportive healing environment. I will work to assess what you need and use the therapeutic tools and techniques that are the best fit for you so you get the best treatment possible.

The number one thing that makes therapy work is the connection between client and therapist. I want to understand what's happening with you so that I can put my skills to good use and help you to meet your therapy goals. My methods are based on scientific research and on my professional experience as a therapist. Many of the techniques I use with clients are techniques that I have applied in my own life to reduce my own suffering and improve my own happiness. I practice much of what I preach, so I know firsthand that these methods work.

Imagine achieving what you want in life, such as fulfilling relationships and more self-awareness and insight. Imagine unburdening yourself of depression, anxiety, and self doubt. As a Certified EMDR therapist, I help clients transform traumatic experiences, allowing for more freedom and joy in life. As a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist, I work with individuals, couples, and families to create enduring secure bonds, thereby strengthening and improving connection with others. Working from a psychodynamic and attachment orientation, I encourage clients to reflect on patterns that may act as blocks to living authentically.

Are you struggling with stress in your daily life that keeps you awake at night or ongoing depression that prevents you from feeling motivated? Maybe you've experienced a significant loss or trauma that causes debilitating intrusive thoughts or flashbacks. Additionally, if you are struggling with the stress of university life, setting healthy boundaries, or communication with a partner or family member, we are here to help you explore what is keeping you stuck and find new ways of coping.

My first ten years as a psychotherapist were spent in New Orleans, where I worked, in part, to provide support and healing to members of a community ravaged by the traumas of Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill. This experience equipped me to serve people within the context of dramatic and disruptive life changes. I collaborate with my clients to manage their symptoms, transform the effects of trauma and grief, address creatively relationship issues, career changes and artistic blocks, and engender personal growth.

Daytime availability only right now! :) In our work together, movement and change will start with the creation of a space that is safe and welcoming. At a pace that is intentional and purposeful, we will work together to find “stuck” spots, challenge old patterns, and connect you more deeply to your own compassion and gentleness for yourself. I am happy to help in these (and many other!) areas: Life transitions (change, loss, parenthood), Identity/ Sense of self, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma Processing, Relational work, and Stress Management.

I established my practice in 2007 following a decade of working as a therapist at Jane Addams' Hull House and Chicago area treatment facilities. My office is highly accessible, comfortable, and conducive to effective therapy. I believe that most people can benefit from an objective outside perspective during difficult or challenging times in their lives. My role is to provide additional support and to assist clients during this time of growth, transition or discovery. I help clients identify and navigate issues, crises and areas that are in need of healing. My approach is insight oriented, client centered, and non-judgmental.

I love working with adolescents and adults who need assistance finding their authentic self and true voice. Those who suffer with trauma related to their life circumstances, past or present, are of particular interest to me, especially those in the professions of police, fire or EMT's. The issues at hand, be they anxiety, addiction, trauma or depression are only gateways to discovering healing, balance and wellness on multiple levels. I assist you in becoming the abundant, vibrant best version of yourself by helping you release old patterns of thinking and behaving that are stopping you from being who you want to be.

“Sensitivity isn't being wimpy. It's about being so painfully aware that a flea landing on a dog is like a sonic boom.” This is a quote from a favorite musician of mine, Jeff Buckley. I see sensitivity as a strength, not a deficit. As a therapist, I work hard to help my clients understand that oftentimes the parts of themselves that they view as weak are really their greatest strengths. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves are very important. They are the lens through which we view everything- they color our world. The problem is that a lot of the time the narratives we have about ourselves are simply not true.

While asking for help can be a frightening experience, it doesn't have to be. I strive to take the frightening out of therapy, and utilize empowering strategies to help individuals become the very best they can be. My professional experience involves working with teens, adults, and couples. I have experience with individuals working through traumas such as being victims of rape, incest, bullying, and abuse. I also work with military personnel, assisting through traumas such as PTSD, and assisting with reintegration.

Shannon is dually licensed to provide services for those struggling with mental health and/or substance use disorders and has been practicing in the field since 2013. Her areas of clinical specialization and experience include working with addictive behaviors/misuse; mood and anxiety disorders; personality disorders; trauma and PTSD; CODA/enmeshment struggles; life transitions; college/young adult struggles; and the athlete population. Far too often, our past trauma has trained us to mask our core selves. Shannon helps her clients to recognize, explore, and find compassion for these masks to connect with one's true self.

Currently accepting new clients! It takes tremendous courage to turn the spotlight inwards and work on ourselves. I consider it a genuine privilege to walk alongside people as we navigate their struggles and successes. It is why I have such deep respect for the people who walk through my door. If you are that person, know this: ALL of you is welcome here. Meaningful relationships are central to our well-being, just as much as water or air; however, they often are the source of intense pain. Our therapeutic work will be built on a foundation of trust, and focus on developing the relationships with yourself and others you deserve.

You are the expert on your life and your own experiences. Together, we will create space for you to heal. Although at times you may feel broken, you aren’t in need of fixing; you are navigating systems that are unsatisfactory, which can leave anyone feeling fragmented. Support is the driving factor for change, and I aim to support you through whatever changes present themselves on your path to feeling whole. My clients begin to feel a sense of wholeness that comes from accepting their thoughts and feelings as valid parts of a human experience. These moments of connection in therapy extend into relationships with others and yourself.

As a therapist, I so value the healing potential of human connection. Emotion and suffering are natural reactions to life, and the ability to sit with and process life’s challenges with another person can be a gift. Sharing moments of loss, shame, joy, and disappointment can lead to stronger self-acceptance and connection with others. I strive to be welcoming, open, and empathetic to all clients who walk through the door.

Hello! I'm Abby. My counseling experience includes providing individual and group counseling for clients with depressive and/or anxious symptoms due to past trauma or current stressful situations and relationships. I enjoy working with individuals who seek ways to feel safe in their bodies and be empowered in their personal and professional relationships. My client focus includes adults and adolescents, LGTBQ+ identity related issues, mood disorders, substance use, developmental trauma, sexual trauma, polyamory, and kink relationships.

"When we struggle with Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma it can interfere with our relationships and ability to function. I work with adults, couples, and families, to work through these difficulties in a way that supports their needs. My goal is to provide a welcoming space where people feel safe, heard, that is inclusive and intersectional. A space that welcomes folks with a variety of identities, experiences, and perspectives whether that is as an individual or within the context of their relationships."