As a woman in the counseling profession now for over 24 years, I am pleased to say I still love this work. I have extensive experience that can make a difference to you. I finished graduate school from University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh with a Master's in Counseling in 1997 - from there I went on to work with young people with delinquent behaviors, trauma and mood disorders. Along the way I supervised staff providing services in a residential treatment facility, earned my licensed and have been working in community clinic settings providing quality psychotherapy. I have a warm, approachable, kind approach. I know how to help you find the answer that is right for you. I work from the theoretical framework of Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT) and love the structure this gives as I combine specific DBT strategies with a style that encourages processing, personal growth and a feminist background.
Personally, I am a mom, stepmom, wife, sister, friend, daughter, neighbor, quilter, grandmother and therapist. I work full-time in the community where I live, BetterHelp is my side hustle, which limits the hours I have available for BetterHelp clients. I try to work late evenings a couple times a week and some weekend times (Saturday morning, Sunday morning, sometimes Sunday evening). Occassionally I can fit a session in during a weekday evening. I understand the importance of providing services that are congruent to the unique and individual needs of all members of all marginalized communities. I encourage growth, self-awareness, understanding and self-compassion. Strategies are suggested and fall into categories of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and relationship enhancement.
My overall intention is to help you find the best way to live a life with meaning, joy and satisfaction.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Cancer, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and Separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Fertility Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Midlife Crisis, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
WI LPC 3365-125
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Wendy Abel. 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.
Wendy supports me in all the ways I’m looking for. She responds quickly and has great words of wisdom. I feel like she really understands me and is helping me better the relationship I have with myself and others. Cannot recommend her enough!
Written on Apr 28, 2022 after therapy with Wendy for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Wendy has helped me gain a lot of understanding of my deeper self in just two sessions. She’s unbiased and has my best interests in mind. She is very attentive to my goals and helps me gain a better understanding of how to achieve them. I’m very excited to move forward and progress in my therapy.
Written on Nov 22, 2021 after therapy with Wendy for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, and coping with life changes
Wendy is phenomenal! We've only had one session together but I feel so confident in our plans for my mental health. She's already taught me so much and helped me on my journey in a way that makes me really look forward to our future sessions.
Written on Nov 20, 2021 after therapy with Wendy for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Wendy has a lot of knowledge and has great resources. She asks good questions and helps to bring clarity to what’s going on with my emotions. I appreciate her time and care.
Written on Jun 25, 2021 after therapy with Wendy for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, and anger management
After just one session with Wendy, I am learning healthy ways to cope with the grief of a loved one. I am looking forward to continuing our sessions!
Written on Mar 31, 2021 after therapy with Wendy for 2 weeks on issues concerning grief
Wendy has been instrumental in guiding me through a very difficult time in my life. I know that I would not have successfully navigated these past few months without her expertise, guidance, affirmations, and support. These visits have set me in a path to a healthier future. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Wendy.
Written on Mar 25, 2021 after therapy with Wendy for 2 months on issues concerning depression, self esteem, and career difficulties
