Dawn Nessler, LCSW — Therapist in Wisconsin

Hi there, I'm Dawn!

Welcome! I work with adolescents through older adults and specialize in depression, anxiety, life changes and transitions, and stress. I predominantly utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help my clients effectively progress through the challenges they're facing and begin to feel better.

My focus

I work with older adolescents through older adults facing various challenges and life transitions. Most often, anxiety and depression stem from stressful changes. I help clients identify their strengths while developing healthy skills to strengthen self-confidence and awareness and increase their positive outlook.

My approach

My therapeutic approach is individualized based on each client and their specific needs. I strongly believe in developing rapport through open communication and reflective listening. While I utilize a variety of approaches, I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

My communication style

I strive to provide an open, honest, and relaxing environment where you feel comfortable. I am empathic, understanding, and engage in reflective listening so you feel valued, heard, and understood. My communication style is calm, personable, and encouraging. I genuinely do not place judgment and want to hear your story from your viewpoint.

My journey to mental healthcare

Throughout my life, I have always been a helper and wanted to encourage others. I know we don't always have all the answers as individuals, and sometimes we need help digging deep within to find them. I am very passionate about what I do and love seeing the moments when someone has their "aha" moment.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting is to establish a trusting relationship, working together to identify what you specifically desire to achieve during our time together. Goals will be worked on throughout our sessions and will become fluid at times, being tracked in various ways to identify the progress you're making.

Our first session

During the initial session, I'm learning about you and what brings you into counseling. I'll also be working towards building a relationship where you feel comfortable and able to communicate with me. I hope the session is open communication between both of us, while I ask deeper questions to identify the situation at hand and your goals.

I identify as...

Female
Caucasian or White
Christian, Spiritual, Non-denominational

Expertise

Specialties

Traumatic Brain Injury

+ 15 more

Treatment approaches

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Narrative

Christian Counseling

Cognitive Processing (CPT)

Compassion Focused

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Motivational Interviewing

+ 9 more

Focus populations

Educators

Military/Veterans

Police/Fire/First Responders

+ 3 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
Aetna
All Savers
Allegiance
Allied

+ 22 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in Organizational Leadership from Liberty University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from University of Southern California.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Dawn Nessler