Michelle Murray, MSW, LCSW, SUD, ICS, EMDR I & II, SEP-IT
mmurray@forward-counseling.com
Michelle (she/her/hers) is the founder and owner of Forward Counseling & Consultation and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Substance Abuse Specialty and is a licensed Independent Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years of experience. She has a unique background of working in community agencies that address interpersonal violence, mental health issues through crisis intervention, case management, and psychotherapy. She has experience with individual and group therapy for people who experience both mental health and substance abuse disorders. Michelle is a Long-Term Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Social Work with experience teaching classes on assessing and treating adults, substance use disorders and working with individuals, families and groups. Michelle provides individual and group supervision, community education, workshops and consultation services for community agencies around topics of Moral Distress in Healthcare, CBT for psychosis, Trauma, Substance Use and Interpersonal Violence. She has advanced training in trauma and is skilled at addressing a wide range of diagnoses and mental health concerns. Michelle tailors her treatment approach to each client by using a variety of methods including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation, Mindfulness Practices, Strengths-Based Motivational Interviewing, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR level I and II trained) and being trained as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). Michelle has a unique style, able to nurture a safe and trusting environment while empowering individuals to realize their full potential and reach their personal goals. She believes in treating the “whole person” which includes addressing their spiritual, physical, and social needs. Michelle will work hard to find a healthy balance between challenge and support necessary in making shifts in long-term change for overall wellness.
Michael Walmer, MS, LPC, SUD, EMDR I & II
mwalmer@forward-counseling.com
Mike (he/him/his) is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Substance Use Specialty, who has experience working with individuals to address a variety of mental health and substance use concerns. Mike graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and an emphasis in substance use treatment. Mike has received specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma informed treatment, and substance use treatment, and has experience providing individual and group psychotherapy, case management, medication-assisted treatment, and clinical supervision. Mike has experience as a Clinical Team Leader in an outpatient mental health center and has worked in the Janesville and Madison communities for the past several years, providing client centered, strengths based treatment to a variety of populations, to treat issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. Through treatment modalities such as EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapies, Michael works with individuals to help them mobilize their own resources, and use their own strengths and abilities to learn, cope, adapt, and grow in their recovery.
Becky Hiller, MS, LMFT, SUD, EMDR I & II
bhiller@forward-counseling.com
Becky (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Substance Abuse Specialty, and specialized training in Trauma Informed Care. She has worked in Madison as a social worker since 2008, and has provided psychotherapy for the past five years in a community agency setting. She has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, and resources available in Dane County. She has experience providing individual, group, and couples counseling. Her approach as your therapist will be straightforward, compassionate, and collaborative. She uses a mind-body approach to help individuals access their natural ability to heal from psychological and physical symptoms. Specifically, she provides treatment that utilizes techniques from Expressive Arts Therapy, guided imagery, mindful breath and movement, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). She specializes in helping clients: heal attachment wounds, shift stuck emotional/relational patterns, regain control from substance use, increase confidence in managing overwhelming emotions, and heal from traumatic experiences. Becky works with individuals, couples/families, groups and enjoys family systems work. Becky is a passionate and consistent provider, showing up for clients in each session, and working collaboratively with individuals to navigate their personal path towards healing.
Annette Haas, MSW, LCSW, EMDR I & II
Annette (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing mental health treatment to adults and adolescents. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Annette works from the perspective that each person has a unique set of gifts to offer the world and is inherently worthy of love and belonging. Annette adapts her treatment approach for each individual by using techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Solution-Focused treatment, Behavioral Activation, and Strengths-Based Motivational Interviewing and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Annette is skilled in treating grief related concerns, depression, anxiety disorders, significant life changes, and trauma. She provides a calm nonjudgemental space to develop a collaborative relationship to support her clients in reaching their goals. Annette provides psychotherapy and individual skills development services to individuals.
Amanda Henschel, MSW, LCSW, SUD, EMDR I & II
ahenschel@forward-counseling.com
Amanda (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Substance Abuse Specialty, and specialized training in trauma treatment. She graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with her Masters in Social Work. Amanda has a passion for working with underserved communities and started her career in Chicago, providing in home therapy and case management support to individuals struggling with severe mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. She also has experience working with survivors of interpersonal violence, medication assisted treatment for opiate addiction, and a variety of other mental health and substance use concerns. Outside of her work with Forward Counseling, Amanda currently holds a position at an outpatient mental health center, as a therapist and a supervisor for clinical interns completing their Masters program. Her therapy approach is compassionate and client centered, empowering clients to take the lead in their own treatment and matching methods to meet each individual’s unique needs. In her work, she utilizes a number of therapy approaches and evidenced based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Amanda strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive therapeutic environment for healing and growth. She believes that each person has the strengths and resources they need within themselves to reach their recovery goals.
Jake Schuldies, MSW, LCSW, EMDR I & II
jschuldies@forward-counseling.com
Jake (he/him/his) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience working with teens and adults who have experienced trauma, anxiety, and concerns about their sexual behavior and interests. He has provided psychotherapy and supportive services in the community and inpatient settings including the development and implementation of adapted programming for neurodivergent individuals and supervised an evidenced-based inpatient treatment program for individuals who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviors. Jake has assisted in facilitating research on the effect of trauma in harmful sexual interests and the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to reduce these interests. He currently instructs a graduate-level mental health policy course at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Because of his background in Computer Science and Information Technology, Jake is particularly passionate about helping teen and adult clients use the internet and technology safely. In his work, he utilizes a number of evidenced based approaches and practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR level I and II trained). He has a deep understanding of the challenges that people who have experienced trauma face and is committed to providing a safe and supportive space where his clients can heal and grow. Jake believes that everyone has the capacity to heal and live a full and meaningful life.
Britt Gilles, MSW, APSW
bgilles@forward-counseling.com
Britt (she/her/hers) is an Advanced Practice Social Worker who has an in depth understanding of the societal, cultural, and economic pressures that individuals are faced with in our community. Through this view, Britt views therapy as guiding individuals through life’s path to hear and develop further understandings. Britt believes that your identity is the key to building your recovery and works to create an open space of collaboration. She has gathered this perspective through offering treatment to survivors of intimate partner violence; providing residential support to individuals with attachment disorders, trauma, and mental health diagnoses; and her experience of providing crisis interventions, counseling, and advocacy for clients with addiction and mental health diagnosis. Britt is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin Madison, where she graduated with a master’s degree in Social Work. Britt’s experience and academics were focused on supporting individuals experiencing addiction and pervasive mental health symptoms. Her approach as your Psychotherapist and/or Independent Skills Developer will be to provide a safe and collaborative space to talk through your concerns to foster your identity and recovery.
Ann Frisella, MS, LPC-IT, SAC-IT, SEP-IT, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)
afrisella@forward-counseling.com
Ann (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in Counseling at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and holds a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ann has worked as a community-based case manager in Madison and, previously, Minneapolis over the past 7 years while continuing her education as a professional counselor, Registered Yoga Teacher and being trained as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). She believes in the healing power of relationships and emphasizes a body centered approach to treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, chronic pain, trauma, and addiction. Ann focuses in on how the body holds onto stories and memories that we can’t specifically recall in a different way than traditional talk therapy, which often struggles to fully process the pieces that tend to show up in the body. She works to integrate the body through movement and expressive arts and believes strongly one can move recovery forward by improving emotional capacity and the body’s ability to prepare for and manage stress. Ann relies primarily on Somatic Experiencing techniques to support clients with learning more about themselves, understanding their nervous system and regulation, sensations and emotional response, and ways of coping to effectively release trauma activation in the body.
Dana Goodman, MS, LPC, SUD, Yoga Teacher (YTT-200)
dgoodman@forward-counseling.com
Life presents us with beauty and chaos, hope and loss, confidence and uncertainty. Together we can navigate these dichotomies and find your balance. My therapy style is person centered and holistic, focusing on the dynamic factors that make you unique and authentic. I believe in treating everyone with respect, non-judgment, unconditional positive regard, sensitivity and compassion. I will fully open my heart, mind and healing efforts in the direction of your goals. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and motivational interviewing techniques. I will adjust our communication, interactions and interventions to meet your individualized needs. It is my belief that you are your own best expert and the answers to your questions lie within; it is with my expertise that we will tease out these nuggets of internal wisdom to help light up your authentic path towards the future! Thank you for exploring the first steps towards seeking support! Are you a person wanting to connect, grow, change, divulge, examine, unearth, challenge and manifest? “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf” Jon Kabat-Zinn
The time is now! Surfs up!!
Bethany Woychik, MSW, LCSW, SAC-IT, EMDR I & II
bwoychik@forward-counseling.com
Bethany (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Substance Abuse Counselor – In Training (SAC-IT). She has a Master of Social Work Degree with a specialization in Mental Health from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has earned a Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate, a Motivational Interviewing (MI) Competency Certificate, and a Grief Support Specialist Certificate. She is EMDR Level I & 2 trained through an EMDRIA approved program and is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level I therapist through the IFS Institute. Bethany has experience with inpatient and outpatient community mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as residential services for those with developmental disabilities and other challenges. Bethany welcomes all parts of her patients into session and seeks to hold therapeutic space as they deepen their Self-to-part connections. She feels privileged to work with people as they progress through the stages of change and finds value in normalizing that change can be scary! Together, she collaborates with her patients to find a path forward that feels safe for the various parts of themselves. Bethany specializes in working with: Addiction (substances and behaviors), trauma, domestic violence, grief and bereavement, ambivalence, LGBTQIA2S+, severe and persistent mental illness, suicidality, Hoarding Disorder (objects and/or animals), career and educational changes, people who are differently abled, and loved ones of people who are differently abled.
Emma Zeldin, MA, MFT-IT
ezeldin@forward-counseling.com
Emma Zeldin (they/them), MA, MFT-IT, is a Marriage and Family Therapist in training specializing in neurodivergent affirming care and providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Emma works with couples, families, and individuals of all ages. Their educational background includes master’s degrees in both Marriage and Family Therapy from Edgewood College and Educational Policy Studies from UW-Madison. Utilizing a client-centered and systemic approach, Emma creates a safe and supportive space for you to navigate the many influences in your life and find your own personal path. They adapt treatment approaches to each client using a variety of techniques, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Emma is Gottman Level 1 trained and an active member of AAMFT. They are a nurturing and compassionate provider who will work with you to find and meet your therapy goals. Emma believes that we can all discover our own resilience. They provide a trusting environment where you can grow at your own pace.