Narrative Therapists in Elm Grove, WI

Do you want to take ownership over your life and regain your power? Are you ready to learn how to be vulnerable and find your inner strength? You are brilliant and resilient, so your story does not have to end the way it began! As a clinician, I believe it is important to meet clients where they are in their lives and assist individuals who have a vision of where they see themselves going. I want to be your copilot as you construct a new path for your life. If anger, anxiety, fear, your past, or depression are weighing you down, I want to help you carry your weight.

Anyone who is at least moderately motivated :-), has some level of awareness that they need help. More specifically, their issues, needs, and goals could range from struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, relational conflict, grief/loss, overcoming the effects of past trauma, codependency, personal identity and purpose exploration, and the list goes on. They may not know what they want or why, perhaps, a change is needed or there is more potential available than they are accessing. I want to be one of the people to help walk with them through this process of self discovery.

OPEN FOR NEW CLIENTS!! Are you carrying things with you that are affecting your everyday life; your work, your relationships, home life, parenting, your reactions, concentration, intrusive thoughts? You do not need to carry these things with you every day. They are weighing you down, and it is time for you to reset yourself. I work with individuals, couples, and families. Your particular needs determine which type of therapy works best. When working with couples and families I take a systemic approach. I view the "system" or interactions among one another as being faulty, not any particular individual.

Trying to ‘do it all’ can be exhausting. And, even while feeling successful, it’s easy to get worn down and feel like we aren’t living as fully as we’d like. Life is hard and relationships are complicated. You deserve the opportunity to find happiness and fulfillment. Therapy creates an opportunity for you to take time for yourself, to think through what you want to be different, and to fix what’s not working. For years, I have worked successfully with individuals, couples, and families to help them increase satisfaction and reconnect in ways that they’ve been missing.

My treatment philosophy is to help empower clients to do their best and develop skills to cope with their main concern(s), through empathy and support.

I practice under the belief that we are all experts on ourselves, in that we each possess the answers within. Allow me to assist you in reaching those answers and managing your life while staying healthy and resilient....It is my responsibility to facilitate an environment and rapport conducive to helping YOU be the best YOU possible.

I enjoy working with clients who may feel something is missing in their life, they don’t feel satisfied with where they are at, may feel overwhelmed or stressed, or just can’t exactly pinpoint why they don’t feel they are at their best. Low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, conflict, significant life stressors and much more can easily deter us from our goals in life and it takes some work to get us back on track. I believe in self-empowerment and a more holistic approach to overall well-being. With a strong collaborative, strength based, and client-centered approach, I can help you begin the life you deserve.

Sometimes we can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or alone. We can struggle to see our true worth or clear path to our goals. I will work with you to identify and work towards your goals by highlighting your strengths and encouraging personal growth through self reflection and constructive feedback. I am passionate about supporting my clients in building healthy relationships, especially with themselves. I provide clients with a compassionate space in which they are able to comfortably explore their identity and life concerns.

My approaches include: 1) working toward understanding how your life experiences have come together to bring about your current thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and life circumstances; 2) using concrete and structured homework assignments to help you achieve your goals, resolve relationship issues, find greater happiness, and develop greater control over anxiety, depression, or anger; 3) discussing philosophical and existential aspects of life as they relate to your concerns; 4) providing support and empathy when life brings you hardship or pain; and 5) helping you to articulate your needs, desires, and goals, and to develop plans and solutions to help you satisfy them.

Being human is complicated. Together, we’ll find the peace of mind you're looking for, and we’ll restore, repair, or rebuild your relationships. We’ll practice empathy, vulnerability, and engagement. Sometimes, life can feel like a series of constant transitions and detours, and even positive changes can feel unsettling, while we also feel desperate for meaningful change. Daily life can feel unmanageable or unendurable, and if so, we'll shift things to make life easier. With empathy and enthusiasm, we’ll work together to create the sustainable change you're looking for.

Welcome, I'm Lori Cao, and I'm delighted you've found your way here. If you're navigating challenges such as pornography/sexual addiction, compulsive sexual behaviors, deception, gaslighting, betrayal trauma, complex trauma, problematic sexual choices, as well as anxiety and/or depression, you're in the right place. For those seeking to enrich their relationships, it's a privilege to guide individuals and couples towards deeper, more fulfilling connections. Our aim is to assist every individual and couple in fostering a life and relationship that is healthy, balanced, connected, and joyful.

I specialize in women’s mental health, specifically perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and also see young adults experiencing various life transitions. Whether you're a new parent and experiencing intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or depression, or you are feeling lost and unsure due to different life circumstances and changes, it can be hard to experience the great joy of these new beginnings when you're not feeling your best. I utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as a collaborative, non-judgemental approach where we will explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are interfering with your ability to thrive.