Best Therapists in Madison, WI of 2023
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Best Therapists in Madison, Wisconsin of 2023
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I. Therapists in Madison, WI
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Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem, Career, Family, Intimacy-related, Parenting, Non-religious, Depression, Liberal counselor
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Depression, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties
Shelly Smith
- 12 years of Experience
- United States
- Elm Grove, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Academic issues, Anxiety, Attachment Disorders, Caregiver Stress, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Education/Personal Development, Family Conflict, Gender Identity, Goal Setting, Grief, Infidelity, Interpersonal Relationships, Introversion, Leadership, Life Transitions, Marital / Premarital, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Sex Therapy, Sexual Orientation, Spirituality, Sports Performance, Stress, Transgender
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Emotionally Focused, Family Systems, Integrative, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Multicultural, Narrative, Relational, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Systemic
State Licenses: Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Jessica Cline
- 8 years of Experience
- United States
- Appleton, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Attachment-based, Hypnotherapy, Psychodynamic, Relational, Somatic
State Licenses: Hawaii and Wisconsin
Katie Lindskog
- 15 years of Experience
- United States
- Delavan, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Languages: English, Spanish
Treatment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, EMDR, Multicultural, Trauma Focused
State License: Wisconsin
Katie Hepner
- 16 years of Experience
- United States
- Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Academic issues, ADHD, Anxiety, Behavior Issues, Codependency, Coping Skills, Coping With Medical Issues, Depression, Divorce, Family Conflict, Goal Setting, Life Transitions, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), EMDR, Family / Marital, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
State Licenses: Illinois and Wisconsin
Guy Smith
- 1 year of Experience
- United States
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Academic issues, ADHD, Anxiety, Caregiver Stress, Child or Adolescent, Coping Skills, Coping With Medical Issues, Depression, Introversion, Learning Disabilities, OCD, Parenting, Relationship Issues
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused
State License: Wisconsin
Aasiyah Clark
- 10+ years of Experience
- United States
- Milwaukee, WISCONSIN
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, Eclectic, Emotionally Focused, Existential, Family / Marital, Family Systems, Humanistic, Integrative, Intervention, Multicultural, Relational, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Trauma Focused
State Licenses: Florida and Wisconsin
Jordan Brown
- 7 years of Experience
- United States
- Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Anxiety, Coping Skills, Life Transitions, Self Esteem, Stress, Trauma / PTSD, Workplace Stress, Women's Issues
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Culturally Sensitive, Integrative, Mindfulness Based Approaches, Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Somatic
State Licenses: Florida, Utah and Wisconsin
Bethany Klim
- 10 postdoctoral experience years of Experience
- United States
- Appleton, Wisconsin
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, Eclectic, Family / Marital, Forensic Psychology, Gottman Method, Integrative, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychological Testing and Evaluation, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
State License: Wisconsin
II. The Best Therapists in Madison, WI
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Online Therapy used eight key factors to evaluate the best Madison therapists. These include credentials, affordability, specializations, availability, and other key features. This ensures that you’ll find quality care that matches your needs, whichever of these qualified professionals you pick. |
Choosing the Best Madison, WI TherapistsCredentialsCredentials can make all the difference when selecting the best therapist. In Madison, therapists are required to earn a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution, pass the National Counselor Examination, complete thousands of hours of supervised practice, and pass a criminal background check. AccessibilityEven if a therapist has all the right credentials, making sure they can match your accessibility needs is crucial. Therapists were chosen who make their clients’ needs a priority, with remote sessions, flexible office hours, and specializations for all types of people. CostCost can be a major factor when choosing the right therapist. For this reason, therapists who accept a variety of insurance plans, offer sliding scale fee options, and charge hourly fees to suit different budgets were chosen. |
Alison Kilkelly: LCSW | Best for marital therapy
Website
608-567-4648
Alison Kilkelly is a relationship expert who offers premarital and marital therapy to couples and individuals. With a motto of “private, trustworthy, and effective,” she helps her clients deal with the issues surrounding infidelity and develop healthy partnerships.
What patients say: “Alison always provides a safe space to decompress and get centered. She is flexible, provides great feedback, and I always feel more focused after our sessions.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Marital and Premarital, Infidelity, Relationship Issues | Out of Network | Cost per Session: $190/hour |
No | Yes |
Wendy M. Bauer: M.A., MFT | Best for grief
Website
323- 546-8750
Wendy Bauer seeks to help her clients overcome the large and small obstacles they may find in their lives. She has experience treating everything from academic struggles and relationship issues to grief and trauma and makes it her priority to provide a safe and supportive environment. When managing grief, she helps find ways to put difficult moments in the context of past experiences and beliefs.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Adhd, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Life Transitions, LGBTQ Issues, Academic Struggles, Self-Injury, Trauma, and Relationship Issues | Out of Network | Cost per Session: $170 – $200/session |
Yes | No |
Shari Cohn: M.S.S.W., LCSW, SC, CSAT | Best for sex addiction
Website
608-237-8000
Shari Cohn understands that sexuality can be confusing and strives to help those she works with find a sexual relationship that is loving, trusting, and open. The goal of her therapy sessions is to resolve sexual dysfunction and allow her clients to enjoy the satisfaction of healthy sex life. She believes sex should be both intimate and fun and uses eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and a range of other therapies to help her clients.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Sex Addiction, Compulsivity, Hypersexuality, Internet Porn Addiction, Cybersex Addiction, Partners, Spouses, Families of Sex Addicts, Groups For Partners of Sex Addicts, Sex Therapy for Sexual Problems, Adult Survivors of Abuse, Assault, Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR, Sex Therapy for Abuse, Trauma Survivors, Depression and Anxiety, Individual, Couples, Marriage Counseling | Aetna, Alliance, Anthem, Beacon, BlueCross and BlueShield, Check with insurance plan, Cigna, GHC HMO with Referral, Dean HMO, Humana, Medicare, Most Standard Plans, MultiPlan, Physicians Plus HMO, Unity HMO, Some HMO’s and PPO’s, TRICARE, UMR, UnitedHealthcare, WEA Trust, WPS, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $140 – $170/session |
Yes | No |
Rebecca Mahan-Strupp: M.A., LPC | Best for cognitive behavioral therapy
Website
608- 291-7033
Rebecca Mahan-Strupp is a fully-trained cognitive behavioral therapist, which allows her to focus on challenging and changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviors to solve life’s problems. Her approach is both direct and collaborative, seeking to create a productive dialogue that results in long-term growth.
What patients say: “Rebecca is a dynamic, talented, and caring therapist.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Counseling for Anxiety, Counseling for Trauma, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Dissociation, EMDR, LGBTQIA+ Individual Therapy, PTSD, Therapy for Depression, Women’s Issues | Alliance, Anthem, BlueCross and BlueShield, Medicaid, Optum, UMR, UnitedHealthcare, Out of Network | $70 intern 55 minutes $90 intern 60m intake FFS $140 for licensed staff 55 minutes $160 60m intake |
No | Yes |
Will Hector: M.A., MFT | Best for mindfulness
Website
608-561-8821
Will Hector takes a mindfulness-based approach to solve problems as diverse as trauma, anxiety, depression, and intimacy issues. He makes it a priority to use an empathic lens with his clients and sees himself as a companion on their journey who fine-tunes his approach based on individual needs. He uses a variety of evidence-based modalities, both in person and via telehealth sessions.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Therapy for Depression, Anxiety Therapy, Relationship Counseling, Body Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Integrative Approaches, Counseling for Men | N/A | Cost per Session: $100 – $130/session |
Yes | Yes |
Ted Izydor: M.S., M.B.A. LPC, CSAC, ICS | Best for addiction help
Website
608-345-8262
Ted Izydor focuses on working with people who suffer from substance abuse issues. Using a tailored approach for each of his clients, he seeks to facilitate an active recovery process through supportive coaching and counseling sessions. In addition to his addiction-based work, he has experience working with business professionals, helping them unlock the mechanisms that allow them to achieve their full potential.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety, Depression, Low Motivation, Relationship/Family Issues, Alcohol/Drug Use Problems | Anthem, BlueCross and BlueShield, Cigna, Medicaid, Optum | Individual Session – $150 | Yes | Yes |
Scott William Kalin: M.A., LPC | Best for spiritual counseling
Website
608.572.7592
Scott William Kalin helps clients who feel stuck in their life, following the same patterns without consistent progress. Using his personal experience, he helps them transform unhealthy habits and emotional pain into personal growth.
What patients say: “I’ve been working with Scott for over a year. It feels so good to have someone who really understands me. Very professional and very helpful.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression, Anxiety, Emotional Sensitivity, Spiritual Counseling, Trauma | Out of Network | Cost per Session: $155 for 50 minutes |
Yes | Yes |
Lynn Peyton: LCSW | Best for pregnancy and postpartum support
Website
608-291-4830
Lynn Peyton was drawn to her work as a therapist because of her deep interest in the mind-body connection. She furthers this interest in a practice that centers on both physical and emotional pain. She works with both men and women and has experience helping female clients through pregnancy and postpartum transitions.
What patients say: “Wonderful, awesome psychologist.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Disorders, Pregnancy and Postpartum Support, Stress Management | Quartz, Unity, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $120 per session |
No | Yes |
Leah A. Gold: LCSW| Best for identity concerns
Website
608 301 5708
Leah A. Gold is pleased to work with a wide range of clients, spanning the LGBTQIA community and various age groups. She accepts that each of her clients is unique and tailors her approach based on the specific struggles they’re dealing with. Whether that’s anxiety, depression, trauma, identity concerns, or something more specific, she seeks to form a genuine connection and a lasting trust.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Identity Concerns, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression | Alliance, Dean, Quartz, SHIP, SSM Health, Out of Network | Not provided | Yes | Yes |
Meagan W. Geurts: LCSW | Best for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Website
630.204.3020
Meagan W. Geurts takes a compassionate and open-minded approach to therapy and takes a special interest in women’s issues. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are two of her main focuses.
What patients say: “Meagan was extremely helpful in supporting all of my conflicting feelings and asked honest and deep questions which prompted me to look at my life and my relationships in new and healthier ways.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Anxiety, Women’s Issues | Alliance, BlueCross and BlueShield, HealthPartners, Medicaid, Tricare – out of network preferred provider, UW SHIP, WEA Trust, Out of Network | Individual therapy 55 minutes – $135 | Yes | Yes |
Abbey Scherer: LPC | Best for parenting issues
Website
608-877-6553
Abbey Scherer’s main goal in therapy is to provide a nonjudgmental environment where her clients can become more aware of their emotions and learn safe ways to express themselves. She approaches parenting issues from all angles, considering each member of the family during her work. Abbey offers a sliding fee scale, as well as free, 15-minute phone consultations for new clients.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Relationship Issues, Parenting Issues, Life Transitions, Emotional Dysregulation, Depression, Anxiety and Stress, ADHD, PTSD/Trauma/Abuse, Grief/Loss | BCBS/Anthem, Dean Health Plan, GHC, The Alliance, Medicaid, CCS | Cost per Session: $80 – $160/session |
Yes | Yes |
Carol Nickels: M.S.W., LCSW | Best for preteen counseling
Website
608-256-5115
Carol Nickels tries to meet their clients on their own terms to navigate specific challenges. Whether she’s working with adults, children, or people from diverse backgrounds, she offers a strength-based and solution-focused approach. She has over 30 years of experience working with the specific challenges faced by preteens and helping them lay the groundwork for a balanced and meaningful life.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Individual counseling with pre-teens, adolescents and their families, Family changes—separation; divorce and blended family issues , Adults–life transitions; health issues; personal growth; self-acceptance, Workplace stressors, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Grief and loss, LGBTQ Issues, Health & Wellness, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness and Mindful Self Compassion | Alliance, Anthem (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), Anthem (Blue Cross/Blue Shield)—Blue Priority—pending, WEA Trust, WPS, Forward Health WI (BadgerCare) , Care Wisconsin, CCS (Comprehensive Community Services) Program for children and adults, Group Health Cooperative, Dean Health Plan, Medicare | Cost per Session: $70 – $150/session |
Yes | Yes |
Andrea Vogel: Ph.D., LPC| Best for eating disorders
Website
608-824-7243
Andrea Vogel has clinical and research experience that makes her uniquely qualified to offer strength-based therapy to teens and adults dealing with eating disorders. Her affiliation with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals gives her the insight and authority to offer a wide variety of treatments.
What patients say: “A true professional who specializes in and understands the world of eating disorders. If you are fighting the monster, Andrea and her colleagues are the highly experienced people you want on your side.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Eating Disorders, Concerns with Weight, Food, Body Image, Preteens, Teens and Adults experiencing Life Transition and Family Change, Behavior Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Stress Disorders , Academic Challenges | Aetna, Alliance, Anthem, BlueCross and BlueShield, MultiPlan, Out of Network | Cost per Session: $175/session |
No | No |
Caitlin Stark: M.S., MFT | Best for women's issues
Website
608-616-0564
Cailtin Stark helps individuals, couples, and families by exploring conflicts in relationships, identifying harmful behavioral and thought patterns, and assisting clients as they initiate positive change in their lives. Her system-based approach includes narrative therapy, structural therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, CBT, and other forms of therapy. She holds degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, and Women and Gender Studies and she has a special interest in the unique issues facing binary and nonbinary women.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Women’s Issues, Eating Disorders | N/A | Cost per Session: $120 Individual 50-minute session $150 Individual 80-minute session |
Yes | Yes |
Susan LeGrand Levine: M.S., LPC | Best for stress and anxiety
Website
608-437-8945
Susan Legrand Levine uses a supportive and goal-directed approach to manage feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression in her clients. She has over 25 years of experience working with all age groups and provides a nurturing, client-centered space.
What patients say: “Susan is a very caring compassionate loving professional person. Everything she does, she does with her heart!”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Stress/Anxiety, Adjustment Depression, Self Esteem Relationship, Issues of family origin, Codependence/Alcohol and Drugs, Suicide, Goal Setting, Guided Imagery, Self Injury, Assertiveness, Grief, ADHD/ADD, Divorce Issues, Schizophrenia, BiPolar Disorder, Trauma, Eating Disorder, Self Injury | CCS (CompCommunityServices), Care Wisconsin, Medicaid, Non HMO, TRICARE | Cost per Session: $150/session |
Yes | Yes |
III. What You Should Know About Madison Therapy
How are Madison therapists licensed?
There are a number of requirements Madison therapists must fulfill before being licensed. First, they must complete a graduate degree in an approved program and then complete at least 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised counseling. Finally, they must pass the National Counselor Examination as well as a state exam.
How much does therapy cost in Madison?
On average, Madison therapists charge about $150 for an hour-long session, while prices range from $70 to $190. Sliding fee schedules are available on a case-by-case basis, and the majority of therapists accept major health plans.
Start searching for your online counselor now!
IV. Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services | Last accessed October 2023
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination | Last accessed October 2023
- National Counselor Examination | Last accessed October 2023