Therapists in Madison, WI

Are your own high standards wearing you down? Tired of constantly striving, but unable to relax? Too much self-control, or overcontrol, makes it hard to enjoy life and connect meaningfully with others. It’s exhausting to feel like you’re always ‘on’, performing, or wearing a mask. Overcontrol can lead to problems like anxiety, depression, disordered eating, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and intimacy avoidance. You don’t have to struggle alone–I’ve been a therapist working with LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other overcontrolled folks for over 10 years. Together, we can help you become more flexible, spontaneous, and authentic.

There is so much power in speaking your truth and having a witness, unpacking painful feelings and shame, and understanding yourself and how you relate to others. As a therapist, my goal is to create a space in which my clients feel safe to explore their feelings, understand how the past affects the present, and identify helpful and hurtful patterns and behaviors. I hold inclusivity and cultural humility as core values. I work with my clients to help them identify goals and develop strategies for meeting their goals, emphasizing the importance of empathy for self and others.

I offer sophisticated psychotherapy to individuals and couples with warmth and compassion. Specializing in working with high-functioning professionals (physicians, psychologists, professors, lawyers, executives), you will receive my full attention and focus as I learn about you, understand why you feel, think and behave the way you do and help you gain deeper understanding of yourself and your problems. We can look at patterns in your thinking, behavior and way of relating to others that may be holding you back. I also offer psychological testing in order to gain deeper insight into your personality style.

My clients are individuals and relationships that are curious about what a different and more fulfilling future might look like. I believe that every person's identity and experience is complex and worth understanding deeply. I also believe that everyone has a unique and powerful set of skills and strengths (even if they don't know it). Whether you are looking to connect with yourself or your loved ones, heal from trauma, relieve anxiety/depression symptoms, or move through a challenging life transition, I will meet you with an authentic therapeutic presence that welcomes creativity, exploration, and growth.

Thank you for visiting my profile and for taking the first step in prioritizing the healing you deserve. Life can be full of wonderful surprises, but also unforeseeable challenges, which may disrupt your emotional balance. You don't have to face these challenges alone. I am here to support and walk this journey with you. Since you are the expert of your life, think of me as an encouraging person to empower you to become the best version of yourself. We will work in collaboration to unravel personal and environmental obstacles that are preventing you from achieving meaningful change.

For 35 years, I've been honored to offer my clients an experience that combines expertise, collaboration, and creativity. Whether it is a new problem, an ongoing pattern, or an unexpected life crisis, your therapy is built on a trusting relationship to facilitate lasting change. I help clients have happier, more satisfying relationships, overcome depression and anxiety, manage worries about career, family, and friends. Some learn how to have a productive disagreement, how to show empathy, how to set boundaries, and how to ask for what they need. Others learn to take the steps forward while healing from painful events and trauma.

“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.

If you feel like things could be better, you're probably right. Maybe you're struggling in your relationship — you keep having the same fight, and feel unheard and stuck. (Or you're not fighting, because you're more like roommates than romantic partners.) Or maybe you've always held it together pretty well, but you're finally realizing how anxiety, trauma, or that unkind inner critic has been subtly (and not so subtly) affecting you, keeping you from getting the most out of life. Whether it's been weeks, months, or years, you know don't want want to feel this way forever.

"What brings you to therapy?" is a classic first question from therapists during an initial meeting. And while we as people share many commonalities, each person has their unique personal story, and we want our concerns to be addressed with respect, insight and understanding, and inviolate trust. I am guessing that you have questions you want answered about yourself, your relationships, your situation, and your history and the patterns of your life . And, you want relief, insight, and clarification of the choices and potential outcomes you face, with effective tools, skills, and strategies to make positive changes in your life.

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.

Are you overly critical of yourself? Do you have difficulty making decisions because you struggle with anxiety or lack self-trust? Do you find yourself putting everyone else’s needs before your own to the point of exhaustion? Have you experienced a significant loss but feel like you don’t have the time or don't know how to process your grief? If this sounds familiar, you probably feel like it’s time for change. This might mean relief from second guessing yourself, or the ability to navigate difficult emotions, or developing the tools to live with more confidence, peace and ease.

Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery & empowerment? It takes courage to confront the stories that have shaped our lives and rewrite them into narratives that uplift and inspire. If you find yourself trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts or behaviors, know that you're not alone. Taking the first step towards change is monumental, and it's a step you don't have to take alone. In therapy, we'll work together to unravel the patterns that hold you back and discover the strength within you. My approach is rooted in collaboration, drawing on your unique strengths while compassionately exploring the challenges you face.

Are you having trouble finding a BIPOC bilingual therapist? Do you feel like you want to understand more about your emotions, life experiences, and stress? Have you ever wished you had someone to share your heaviest moments with? Do you want to feel “happy” and “okay”? Look for a therapist that can connect by being warm but direct, that can have the difficult conversations, and who uses science and education to help you process your experiences and reach your goals. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, and attachment, with special populations in the LatinX community, and sexual assault.

I work with adults in individual and couples therapy to help address the challenges of anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief and loss, divorce, and relationship problems. I believe that psychotherapy is collaborative and that the relationship between the therapist and client is essential to the process of change. I work to develop this relationship through gaining a deep understanding and respect for each individual and their unique circumstances.

Greetings! Sometimes we benefit from a non-biased, affirming source of support to open new pathways to pleasure and fulfillment - both of which we are all inherently deserving of. I invite clients to come as their authentic selves, explore the nuance of “what is,” and challenge narratives they may be ready to shed. As a systemic therapist, I believe all systems we exist within impact us. Clients can expect to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as experiences informed by family, partnership, community, work, and broader social systems.

I am happy to travel along with you as you embark upon your healing journey. I strive to meet you within a space where you can safely explore your internal world. While it can be difficult to discover your inner voice and experience a felt sense of safety, each therapy session will give you a chance to reconnect with yourself and find what gives you meaning.

I work with many young adults (university students and young professionals) and with people from across the lifespan. I have experience with both mental health needs (mostly life transitions, depression, and anxiety) and with folks wanting to change their relationship with substance use (who are at a point in their recovery process where outpatient therapy can meet their needs). Feel free to learn more at moorepsychotherapy.org

I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing difficult situations that have prevented them from living a healthier lifestyle. My mission is to help you name what's keeping you stuck and identify individual strengths that will help overcome those challenges. I am there to support you in finding and becoming the best version of yourself by letting go of old patterns of thinking and behaviors that are stopping you from being who you want to be. I am also available to provide services in Spanish, as it is my native language.

Specialty practice around anxiety symptoms, including those associated with trauma/abuse. Everyone needs support, and sometimes we decide we need the compassionate support of a professional psychotherapist. In this safe, therapeutic, environment, I will help you to gently address challenging issues and gain insights to improve the overall quality of your life. You will be supported in connecting to your strengths, while exploring and practicing more effective and healthy ways of living. (Please contact me directly at my email address. I don’t currently work with insurance, but have a sliding scale which starts at $80 per session.)