“Once a woman becomes aware of the forces that influence her, she gains the power of that knowledge.”
I’M SHERYL, A THERAPIST IN MADISON, WISCONSIN
Like many of you, I’ve lived a pretty average woman’s life. I've raised kids, changed careers, divorced, remarried, and cared for both aging parents and tiny grandchildren. Like you, my sense of self was influenced by a culture that values girls and women differently than it does boys and men. The work of my adult life has been focused on helping women see their inherent value and claim their authority for make decisions for themselves.
Our lives are affected by the expectations and limitations placed on us. They may be subtle—like the vigilance we often must practice to ensure our physical safety. They may be overt—like the assumption that we’ll do most of the childcare and unpaid labor in our homes. Either way, our lives are made smaller and we may feel we have no choice but to put our own dreams and desires on hold to meet the demands of everyday life. This is a reality of women’s lives that’s mostly ignored by traditional psychotherapy.
i belive in the power of women sharing our stories.
When we explore the relationship between what we were taught by others about what it means to be a woman and our most intimate thoughts and beliefs about who we really are, we gain valuable insight. With this insight comes the confidence to tune out received messages abut who we should be and assert ourselves as the experts in our own lives.
i believe that therapy should be creative and collaborative.
When we meet, you’ll find that I’m engaged and expressive. I’ll give you space and time to think but I’ll never sit by silently as you struggle. My first priority is that you and I create a warm and safe connection. Here are a few important things to know about me:
I’m pro-choice and believe that women must have complete authority over their bodies and lives without exception.
I’m anti-authoritarian and advocate for civil liberties, equality, and safety for all beings both in and out of the therapy room.
I don’t work within the medical model of mental health and won’t label you with a diagnosis. However, I do support you working with your healthcare provider to find medications that may be helpful if that feels right for you.
Read more about my philosophy of woman-centered therapy here.
My Qualifications
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin with an MS degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Level II training in EMDR Trauma-Resolution Therapy.