Hello! I'm so glad you are here! If you are ready to make some changes in life that are likely to result in improved mental health, improved quality of life, and general well being; you came to the right place!
My approach in counseling is in general to look at the person as a whole; not as their symptoms of problems. I use holistic, solution focused, and trauma informed models to engage client's in the counseling process and achieve their goals.
I have been trained in trauma informed approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); which uses several tools to help client's negative past events have less emotional impact on their lives.
I am also certified in a counseling approach called seed digging therapy (SD), which is developed off the therapy developed in the 90's called theophostic therapy.
The premise of seed digging therapy (SD) is that each individual is generally mostly good, has a desire to be good to others, and wants to have a happy and productive life.
The model states that a person's heart is a "garden" which in analogy has "weeds" and "flowers". Traumatic/Sad events tend to produce weeds and Happy events tend to produce flowers. Weeds in a persons heart can cause many negative reactions in life ranging from interpersonal relationships, self esteem, negative view of the world. Weeds occur when a lie is believed about that sad/bad event. Examples of weeds: not feeling adequate, feeling unloved, feeling a lack of importance.
Flowers are developed when something happens that is positive/ good, and the individual believes something good about themselves. Examples of flowers: I do matter, I am important, I am loved, I belong in this group, family, friendship etc.
The process of seed digging therapy is to find where the root of the negative thoughts started, and create an alternate belief opposite of the negative. Using narrative techniques, the person has the opportunity to recreate meaning if they want to.
I am very excited to meet you, get to know you and help see you to the other side of where you want to be. If you would like to work more with me, we can talk more about your goals and what steps to take to get there.
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, ADHD, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Cancer, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fertility issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Paranoia, Post-traumatic stress, Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Wendi Makus. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Wendi always makes sure I am okay and when she notices I am struggling she checks in more often and asks thought provoking questions to ensure I am doing okay.
Written on Mar 16, 2023 after therapy with Wendi for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship issues
Wendi is fantastic. She’s personable and it feels really comfortable talking with her. I always feel better after our sessions.
Written on Jan 11, 2023 after therapy with Wendi for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Wendi is a great listener, she is supportive, no judgment, a terrific resource, and a wonderful therapist.
Written on Oct 14, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and intimacy-related issues
After a few sessions with Wendi, I'm already seeing positive benefits in my life. She is my first experience with a therapist, and has made the whole experience less uncomfortable for me. She is easy to talk to and her comments and advise are both insightful and incisive. She has helped me come up with an actionable plan in dealing with my particular set of issues.
Written on Sep 25, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and anger management
I love Wendi!! She has been extremely patient with my needs and chaotic schedule ❤️
Written on Jul 24, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Just getting started with Wendi , but I like her and I think she is a good fit for me. Looking forward to meeting with her more.
Written on Jul 17, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and anger management
She is amazing
Written on May 03, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and coaching
Wendi has been helpful and gets to the point with observations in helping me get through things in my life I need help with.
Written on Apr 11, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 1 month
She really listens to my thoughts and issues and provides valid opinions and feedback.
Written on Mar 12, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Wendi has been such a wonderful therapist to have in my life. She is supportive while also giving it to me straight and being direct when needed! She challenges me on things I need to work on, and has helped me work on breaking bad habits and working through things as I need to. I’m very glad to have been matched with her.
Written on Mar 05, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
She listens well and provides good feedback.
Written on Feb 11, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, coping with life changes, and coaching
I love Wendi. It's important to have a good rapport/relationship with ones therapist. She has taken time to connect with me on shared interests and this helps me feel safe and able to open up. She knows my struggles and she always brings me back to the issue when I try to redirect the conversation to superficial things. I have a lot of respect for Wendi; she's good at what she does and she's good for me. She helps me face myself. It's the hardest thing to take a good hard honest look at one's self and decide to change. Hence, therapy. I absolutely recommend Wendi. She's caring and real. Thank you, Wendi for helping me find hope again.
Written on Nov 29, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Wendi is so amazing. She has helped me tremendously!!
Written on Aug 07, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Wendi is so kind and attentive. As someone who struggles opening up to others, it feels so refreshing to feel heard. Highly highly recommend.
Written on Aug 02, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, career difficulties, and adhd
Shes great and very skilled.
Written on Jun 21, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and coaching
Wendi has been great! After only 3 sessions, she completely understands what I need and is helping me understand things about myself that I never thought of!
Written on Jun 19, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, trauma and abuse, and self esteem
I love getting the chance to talk to Wendi! She’s very open and willing to listen to me and understands where I’m coming from and what I’m going through. I feel like I can absolutely trust her when I need to talk to her about some of the positives and the most difficult struggles that I am going through throughout the week.
Written on May 08, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Very attentive and supportive. Really kind in keeping me in track and validating my process along the way
Written on May 08, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Wendi is great at listening and the reflecting or rephrasing to help me connect with issues, solutions, and expectations.
Written on Apr 26, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 2 months
Wendi is very supportive and helpful.
Written on Apr 26, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and family conflicts
Wendi has been a beacon of light for me during a period of deep change in my life. She always provided a safe space for me to express any emotions I was feeling that day with no judgement and consistently offered new perspectives I had not considered.
Written on Apr 19, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Wendi is the greatest <3 We have been working together for the past few months and she does a wonderful job at making me see things from a different perspective. She is totally non-judgemental and has a way of getting through to me about the consequences of my repetitive negative behaviours. Wendi has opened my eyes to the ways in which my childhood causes me to think and act a certain way today and this has helped me to identify the unhealthy patterns in my life. I have endless positive things to say about Wendi but the bottom line is that she is a boss a$$ counsellor who is damn good at what she does :)
Written on Mar 24, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and self esteem
I'm so grateful for my counseling experience with Wendi. She helped me get to the other side of a rough time and also helped me start to change my perspective on some long held insecurities. Wendi's approach made it easier to address those tough issues.
Written on Mar 06, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
She makes me feel comfortable and asks good questions.
Written on Mar 05, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, eating disorders, and adhd
Very good and understanding
Written on Feb 18, 2021 after therapy with Wendi for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
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