Alcohol Use Therapists in Middleton, WI

Are you looking for someone who is easy to talk to, who will listen supportively and non-judgmentally, and who will also offer helpful feedback? I'm a licensed psychologist who has helped individuals and couples with a wide range of challenges for over 25 years, including marital, relationship, and communication issues; and problems with depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, alcohol use , and struggles related to a bad childhood. (See "Specialties" and "Issues" below.) Whatever your problems are - individual and/or relationship issues - I offer understanding, compassion, new perspectives, and new ways to cope with challenges.

AA not your cup of tea? Come see me. Love your spiritual fellowship - I can still help with science-based methods. With 30 years experience & my continuing love of science, I offer practical, up-to-date, evidence-based practices and warm understanding. I'm active-directive, not just reflective; empathic and not confrontational. You'll feel understood & accepted. Discover, commit & ACT on your values; overcome unnecessary suffering, get motivated, accept yourself unconditionally, act assertively without guilt, and change harmful addictive behaviors without (or with) 12-Steps spirituality. Cut down or quit; you choose. Call & let's jump start your changes.

You are not broken and in need of “fixing.” Rather, your early life, sense of belonging and experiences have influenced patterns and behaviors that brought you here. Change is within your reach. Whether you’re struggling with addiction or unresolved trauma; healing from domestic violence; enduring a relationship breakup; or concerned by your child’s mental health and behavioral issues, let’s work together on a positive path forward. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in addiction and substance abuse and certified in trauma and domestic violence therapy and as divorce and family mediator.

There are many reasons for seeking guidance and today, you have taken the first courageous step by looking for help. I invite you to take the next step and call 608-577-4222 for a NO COST “get acquainted” phone consult. Maybe your current coping strategies are not working, or you haven't healed from emotionally painful life experiences/trauma that are negatively impacting you today. Perhaps you want to improve your relationship and learn effective communication skills. Together we can work to find effective solutions and coping strategies that work for you. I am honored to partner with you on your journey to your best self.

We love to collaborate with clients to help them draw from their own expertise, build on their own positive values, discover their own skills, and use these new tools to work through conflicts and hardships. We are systems therapist. What that means is: we like to approach problems that people have within the context of social, political and cultural storylines that influence the way we view ourselves and our own personal stories. We use this same approach in family therapy to seek ways to change the way the family system works rather than trying to "fix" a specific family member.

Do you want immediate relief and help? I have a significant success rate with anyone living with anxiety, depression or relationship issues. My therapy style is best described as honest and strategic in helping you discover the root of your problem and coming up with solutions that fit your specific problem. Life can be hard yet you can achieve happiness through all of it. Learning to really live life on life's terms is the key! As an LMFT and Ph.D. in counseling I can help you take a leap of faith and start working on you!

Therapy is effective when the therapist is guiding the client down a path that the therapist has already successfully completed. My heightened emotional sensitivity to myself and the world surrounding me led me on a journey of self-discovery where I learned to resolve my personal losses and access my power and intuition. Through the lessons of my resolved cycles of suffering, I have found consistent access to my emotional maturity and intuitive wisdom: Giving me the gift of living in the flow of life. Once I became grounded in the depth & flow of my being, I felt called to guide others who are on a similar journey.

As a Psychologist, I have the honor of working with individuals in their journeys of self-discovery, healing, renewal, and growth; journeys which, at times, have emerged out of periods of life crises & emotional upheaval. I offer individual, couples, and group psychotherapy, working with people navigating a range life transitions and challenges. I work compassionately and collaboratively with clients to explore, discover and overcome aspects of their lives that keep them from recognizing and meeting their full potential. This also involves recognizing and emphasizing clients' strengths, resilience, and assets they already embody.

It is not uncommon for people to talk and think their way 'better'. They have made sense of their problems and wish to 'just move on'. However, they can't seem to rid themselves of the emotional turmoil and physical pain that remains. My clients say to me, 'I just want to move on but my anxiety, depression, trauma, bad habits, pain, guilt, shame, family members...just won't let me'.

Our minds condition the quality of every moment of our lives—therapy is uniquely suited to positively engaging with our minds. And of course, our minds are not just our minds; they are our bodies, our relationships, our cultures, our society, our work, our past, our future, our imagination, as well as our thoughts and feelings. Therapy can interface with all of these parts of us, and help us to integrate them, nourishing our life.

“You are not a machine with broken parts,” writes author Yohann Hari. We are humans on this challenging journey of life. We navigate love and loneliness, trauma and triumph, and endless messages from our culture which say we are not successful enough, attractive enough, rich enough…good enough. I have a different idea—you are enough! In therapy, I provide safe, non-judgmental space to meet you in the full context of your life, family, culture, and dreams for the future. Let me help you find and heal your true self and build authentic relationships that make your life less stressful and more meaningful.

It is common to feel trapped by our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and we often struggle to identify the impact they have on our well-being until it feels too overwhelming to handle. This is particularly true for those suffering from OCD behaviors. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts and behaviors to better understand the impact they have on their well-being. I work collaboratively with clients to establish a plan of care that draws from evidence-based approaches. My role as a counselor is to be a partner in helping clients move through, not around, concerns in their way.