Life can bruise you with its constant challenges, disappointments, and losses. You think constantly about your problems without ever finding any solutions. Your emotions run from sadness to anxiety to anger. You feel unable to get through each day. Problems come from both your environment and your own mind.
Portage is the hometown of Earl Abell, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. When life’s problems tackle you, facing the next play seems unimaginable. You don’t know how to improve your mental wellbeing. Talk to a counselor in the Portage area for a brand-new playbook.

Dr. Autumn Lacy
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 23 years of working in the field of human services. I have experience in working with a wide range of clients from persistent mental illness, personality disorders, substance use disorder and overall discomfort with life transitions. I have a lot of experience working with clients experiencing grief as well as intense anxiety issues and self harming behaviors. My approach to treatment is to understand the goals of my clients and to work on building skills that will help them reach those goals. I understand this takes a collaborative and trusting relationship. I believe that everyone has the capacity to live a more satisfying life with helpful guidance and skills. I believe very strongly in a safe and supportive environment, that also provides honest feedback and guidance. I am sure that I can help you set a path that will lead you to comfort and happiness with whatever has caused you to seek counseling.

Jennifer Everts Beier
Hello! My name is Jeni and I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Wisconsin. I have worked in the mental health field for over a decade. I have broad experience in a variety of settings which has prepared me to work with a diverse cliental to achieve your mental health goals. My experience also spans a wide range of ages. I currently full time in the private practice field. I work with my clients to address their mental health concerns as well as their overall mental wellness. I believe in the treatment of the whole person and their strengths, not solely their weaknesses. No two mental health treatment journeys are the same so I treat each person and experience unique to what they need at the time. I counsel through a diverse theoretical lens that encompasses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Person-Centered care and being Solution Focused. I have a specific passion for counseling those experiencing infertility, pregnancy, and post-partum mental health concerns. I have recently completed a Maternal Mental Health Certificate Program, offered through Post-Partum Support International. This has qualified me to work with women, men or couples planning pregnancy, couples experiencing infertility issues or new parents experiencing mental health concerns such as depression and/or anxiety. Other areas that I have experience in treating include anxiety, depression, stress, anger, work concerns, and parental counseling. I live in Wisconsin with my husband and am a mom to two children with my late husband. I also have two stepchildren with my current husband. I have a passion for camping and being outdoors as well as traveling as much as I can. I am looking forward to hearing from you and beginning a journey to help meet your mental health goals. SPECIALTIES • Perinatal Mental Health o Prenatal o Post-Partum o Mothers o Father o Infertility • Anxiety • Depression • Stress/Anger Management • Work Concerns • Parental counseling

Beverly Pautz
Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Wisconsin. I have over 22 years of experience in a variety of social work settings. My experience includes employee assistance, outpatient counseling and sexual abuse treatment. My counseling style is empathetic, warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral and solution focused counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Joseph Miller
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York , Wisconsin and Florida and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. I worked over twenty years as a Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and as a United States Air Force Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. I served in the United States Army for twenty three years primarily as a Medical Evacuation Pilot. My overseas assignments include Afghanistan, Korea, Okinawa and Turkey. My counseling approach is to establish a therapeutic alliance with my clients and assist them with moving in directions of more satisfying life experiences and relationships. I would like the opportunity to assist you with developing a plan to enhance your life experience.

Kristen Morgan
Hello, I'm glad you're here! My name is Kris, and I'm a Mental Health Counselor, and a Visual Artist. My background: Since 2017, I have been helping adults move forward through their anxiety, grief, codependency, self-esteem issues, and relationship problems. I have provided counseling services through BetterHelp; my Wisconsin-based private practice; Gundersen Health System; and La Crosse County (WI) Mobile Crisis Unit. I’m a mixed-media artist, and my background in Studio Arts gives me unique insight into working with, and connecting with, those who identify as creative; visual thinking; abstract; spiritual; and/or out-of-the-box. Just to clarify, while I have a spiritual perspective, I do not offer Christian Counseling. My approach: My counseling approach is collaborative, empathic, and nonjudgmental. My strengths as a counselor are intuition, empathy, and unconditional positive regard for my clients. I use a solution-focused approach to counseling. What this means is that I work with clients to identify their problems, and work toward “solutions” to these problems. We work together to develop specific, measurable, and attainable therapeutic goals that focus on the here-and-now to create meaningful change. My counseling approach also has a strong focus on mindfulness and whole-person wellness. I am passionate about helping clients mindfully focus on improving their wellness to build resilience and thrive amidst their current challenges. I experience both counseling and art-making as therapeutic, transformative processes that help us contact and express our inner worlds--our thoughts, emotions, and needs. These processes can help us increase self-compassion, develop new perspectives, and better-understand our selves. This clarity can help us develop the confidence and courage to make choices based on our values, so that our lives reflect who we are and what is most important to us. Training: I received my Masters degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Winona State University) and Human Development with concentration in Spirituality and Creativity (Saint Mary’s University of MN). My undergraduate degrees are in Studio Art (University of MN-Duluth) and Visual Communications (Art Institute of Pittsburgh). I engage in ongoing training and clinical consultation to help ensure ethical, quality care. Personal: I’m a mother and an artist. I like flower gardening, swimming, painting, and dancing. I enjoy counseling and art-making as therapeutic, transformative processes.

Leah Zeamer
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Heather Heritage
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 7 years of professional work experience. Along with 15 years working in Human Services. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, bipolar disorder, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Dr. Ronald Holder
I have over a decade of experience in the mental health field which includes training and supervision in a variety of settings. At the Eating Disorder Center at San Antonio (EDCASA) and the Esperanza Eating Disorders Center, I worked as the director of the Binge Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). I also worked in the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at EDCASA working with a wide variety of amazing clients who had varying degrees of disordered eating, severe mood or symptoms consistent with complex personality disorders. I am dedicated to assisting each of my clients find their own path, the path that leads to hope and the ability to access inner-resilience. I absolutely believe that we all have the answers to solve problems and become "un-stuck" in life. As a professional counselor, I know that a collaborative relationship between a therapist and a client is absolutely essential. My experience includes extensive experience in the areas of: LGBTQ issues, eating disorders, personality disorders, clinical depression, anxiety, OCD, complex trauma and addiction. Along with Solution-Focused Therapy, I have intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I believe in the power of guided imagery meditation and mindfulness as tools of maintaining optimal psychological health. The human spirit is indestructible in the face of seemingly insurmountable trauma and difficulty and I can help clients find the power and hope to keep fighting. I look forward to working with you.

Heather Talley
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Steven Nordeen
I am a licensed counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor operating in Wisconsin. I’ve worked in many colorful and exciting fields: I worked within the community in Madison, WI as a forensic counselor for approximately 4 years (helping folks that had severe and persistent mental illnesses navigate their wellness and the courts). I’ve worked as an agent for the Department of Corrections. I’ve been a financial planner. I’ve moved pianos. I’m a licensed airplane mechanic. And I currently work for the state of Wisconsin as a counselor. My style and substance are client-centered, some would say to the maximum. I am not the boss in my clients’ lives and I maintain unconditional and positive regard for all of my clients, past, present, and future.
Find a therapist serving clients in Wisconsin
Types of therapists available to clients in Portage
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Portage that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Portage available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Portage therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Portage therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Portage region and in the state of Wisconsin.
How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want
Therapists in Portage can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Portage may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.