Madison clinicians

These fine clinicians primarily work out of our location at 1943 Winnebago Street in Madison Wisconsin.

At Insight, we believe that connecting with the right therapist is crucial to realizing your goals.
Please find each provider’s biography below, and contact us at  (608) 244-4859 to complete a short initial screening. 

Joanna Becker  LCSW (she, her, hers)

Joanna is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience working in the mental health field. Joanna has worked with individuals across their life span including end of life and families/individuals impacted by trauma, in the community, school, and hospital settings. Joanna is passionate about providing support to children, adolescents, and their families with the focus on creating a safe space for the family system, promoting healing and connection for both child and parent. Joanna focuses on therapeutic tools that are person-centered and strengths based utilizing a blend of acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness, therapeutic play, therapeutic art, and CBT. Joanna provides a supportive, safe place to navigate and process anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief/loss, challenges with emotional expression, life transitions, blended households, domestic violence, identity, and life stressors. Joanna is an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist.

Nikki Cook  MS, C-IAYT  (she, her, hers)

Nikki is a Certified Yoga Therapist and a master’s-level counseling intern. She has extensive training in trauma-informed yoga and offers training to yoga and mental health professionals in that modality. Nikki believes yoga truly is a practice that is for every body. She specializes in yoga for eating disorders, addiction and trauma. She wholeheartedly believes that yoga can be a powerful and effective component of the healing and recovery process, and is committed to finding ways to make the transformational tools of yoga available to every body. 

Theresa Ditlow  MA, LPC (she, her, hers)

Theresa is a licensed professional counselor who enjoys working with children, teens, adults, and families. Theresa often finds life can seem like a puzzle and she enjoys working side-by-side with her clients while they are figuring out how to put the pieces together to see the whole picture. Theresa specializes in trauma-specific interventions, such as EMDR and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and she also utilizes other modalities, such as person-centered psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, narrative psychotherapy, solution-focused psychotherapy, and mindfulness. Theresa has experience and training working with individuals and families impacted by trauma/PTSD, perinatal/postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, life and family transitions, student-athletes, foster care, and adoption.  Theresa is currently completing training in adoption competence through The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E) sponsored by the University of Milwaukee School of Social Work.

Victoria Ellington-Deitz  MA, LPC, RSMT (she, her, hers)

Victoria works with adults. She has helped clients experiencing anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, trauma, depression, and problems regulating behavior and emotion.  Other clients come for therapy to ease life transitions, self-exploration, and self-empowerment.  Victoria’s style is collaborative, involving strength-based, cognitive, behavioral, and body-centered techniques. Specializing in teaching mindfulness, visualization, and relaxation techniques for healing and well-being, Victoria has worked in a variety of agencies, hospitals, and private practice settings. 

Jamie Hamelink  LPC-IT, RYT-200 (she, her, hers)

Jamie combines her background in aerial dance, creative movement, yoga and education with her therapeutic approach. She believes that body and mind are partners in mental health, and that people are fundamentally good, capable of growing and thriving. Inspired by the brain’s ability to grow and change, she pairs somatic, movement-based interventions with cognitive behavioral and expressive arts approaches. She utilizes a strengths-based approach and uses embodied practices to promote self-regulation, connection and healing. Jamie holds a Master of Science in Professional Counseling, is a licensed social studies teacher and has certifications in Iyengar yoga and aerial yoga.

Matt Herrmann   MA, LPC (he, him, his)

Abby Kearns  MSW, LCSW (she, her, hers)

Abby has over 20 years of experience working with individuals and couples throughout her career. Her philosophy of counseling is client-centered, based on respect for the individual and a belief in each person’s intrinsic value. She believes in the potential of the human spirit to rise above painful life situations. She believes it is her responsibility as a therapist to assess what the client’s needs are, to offer hope and support, and to empower them to make the necessary changes in their lives so they can lead a fulfilling life. Abby aims to help individuals reflect on what internal beliefs and schemas have impacted their life. She then creates a therapeutic space to challenge any maladaptive beliefs in an effort to create new thinking and behavioral patterns. Abby has specialty certifications and training in; parent coaching, trauma informed cognitive behavior therapy, addiction/substance use disorders, emotionally focused and Gottman couple’s therapy. Abby celebrates inclusion and practices cultural humility. She is comfortable working with all people including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and polyamorous couples. 

Joe Lambert  MA, LPC, CSAC (he, him, his)

Joe believes that there is inherent good and worth in everyone, and uses a client-centered approach — as in, he’s not here to judge or place his morals or values onto his clients. Rather, he wants to help lead clients down the road of life to meet their personal goals. He utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Existential Therapy and other approaches. He’s a licensed professional therapist and clinical substance abuse counselor skilled in helping people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, co-dependency, trauma, OCD, ADHD, patience and anger issues, as well as dual diagnosis in helping those with addiction problems. He has been actively involved in the local Madison area music scene since moving here in 1998, and has witnessed the effects drugs and alcohol can have on the creative soul. His goal is to help individuals find their inner strength needed to achieve their vision of a meaningful existence. Joe has experience working with all types of clients, 15 years old and up. 

Elyse Laing  MS, LPC (she, her, hers)

Elyse is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with children, youth, and families. She has experience working with children and adolescents who struggle with school engagement, anxiety, depression, ADHD/ADD, trauma, Autism, bipolar disorder, DMDD, ODD, and other mood and behavioral disorders. Elyse understands the importance relationship in the therapeutic process and puts an emphasis on being strengths based and trauma informed in her work. While she adapts her approach to meet the client’s needs, she often uses modalities and approaches that include play, laughter, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, and parent-child interaction therapy. 

Sigmund “Siggy”  CANINE GOOD CITIZEN, AKC THERAPY DOG SUPREME-IT 

Kate Lauth  MSW, LCSW (she, her, hers)

Kate is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She works collaboratively with clients to discover their strengths, heal emotional wounds, and find meaning and purpose in their lives. She is trained in a variety of modalities including Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Kate’s approach is strengths-based, person-centered and relational. She has experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, perinatal/postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, life and family transitions, and trauma. Kate’s experiences with wilderness therapy, holistic wellness, yoga and mindfulness practices influence her approach to working with clients, and she enjoys integrating movement, nutrition, and nature to support the therapeutic process. 

Jenna Mao  LPC, BC-DMT (she, her, hers)

Jenna is a licensed professional counselor and board certified dance/movement therapist who works with children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Jenna takes a person-centered approach to treatment and uses the body as a tool for non-verbal processing. She has experience supporting clients with anxiety, ADHD, attachment concerns, Autism, depression, emotional regulation challenges, stress, and trauma. Jenna is trained in Laban movement analysis, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health. Jenna believes in the power of relationship and strives to cultivate a safe, trusting space in therapy sessions.

Josie Montañez-Tyler  MS, LMFT (she, her, hers)

Josie Montañez-Tyler has more than 20 years of social services experience with a focus on civil rights and rights for the queer community. She specializes in trauma, substance use disorders, severe and persistent mental illness, crisis stabilization, and grief/loss therapy that is grounded in a systems approach. She has a great passion for working with those who identify as marginalized and believes that instilling hope is an integral part of the process. As a therapist she remains person-centered while using techniques such as CBT, narrative therapy, and existential family therapy to assist the client in making progress towards their goals. She sees clients 18 and older.

Emily Natera  LPC (she, her, hers)

Emily is a licensed professional counselor who works in individual, family, and group contexts. Emily uses a strengths-based and solutions-focused approach to empower clients to overcome challenges and create the life they want. She sees adults, teens, families, and couples who are navigating life changes, experiencing anxiety or depression, struggling with stress or anger, having relationship concerns, and those who want to heal from past wounds. She also has experience working with survivors of abuse and those who perpetrate abuse. Emily uses a variety of therapeutic interventions, including those from cognitive behavior therapy, narrative therapy, and mindfulness, to create an individualized plan so that clients can change behaviors and maladaptive patterns of thinking. 

Rachel Niesen  LCSW, SAC-IT (she, her, they/them)

Rachel believes that every human is born into this world with inherent dignity and worth.  Rachel recognizes that during the lifespan various factors (inside of us, outside of us and between us) can disrupt the felt sense of this truth, leading to suffering.  Rachel strives to work collaboratively with clients in deepening connection to themselves, tending to emotional wounds and/or breaking patterns that no longer serve by cultivating a curious, non-judgmental and strengths-based therapeutic relationship.  Rachel has experience working with individuals navigating depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, trauma, substance addiction, attachment- related challenges, anger, stress, grief and life transitions. Rachel uses a variety of therapeutic techniques stemming from dialectical behavioral therapy, inner relationship focusing and other parts work therapies, mindfulness, harm reduction psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Danyelle Okesanjo  LCSW (she, her, hers)

Danyelle is a licensed clinical social worker who has been practicing for almost 10 years. She enjoys working with adults of all ages, but has a strong passion for working with people of color and other marginalized populations. Prior to being a social worker, she served in AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. Danyelle uses her eclectic background, experiences, and training to provide person-centered therapy. Danyelle has many clinical areas of interest but a few of her favorites are mindfulness, self-compassion, boundaries, communication, and vulnerability. Outside of counseling, she enjoys gardening, crafting, and spending time outside.

Josh Peterson  MSW, LCSW (he, him, his)

Josh is a licensed clinical social worker with over 19 years of experience providing direct service and clinical supervision in the behavioral health field. He specializes in working with adults and adolescents with severe and persistent mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major mood disorders in a variety of settings. Josh utilizes a person-centered, strengths-based combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and supportive psychotherapy.

Tara Rollins  MA, LPC, BC-DMT (she, her, hers)

Tara has experience working with children and families, adolescents, and adults in a variety of nonprofit agencies, inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, community centers, schools, and outpatient clinics. She is a licensed professional counselor and a board-certified dance/movement therapist. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) integrates the creative process, movement, and verbal processing to help strengthen the body-mind connection and explore ways to express a client’s experiences in a unique and safe way to move toward healing and growth. She specializes in working with children who are on the Autism Spectrum or have experienced trauma due to abuse or being placed outside of their home. Tara also works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, body-image issues/body-based traumas, and anger-management issues. Tara’s work is based on the belief that all individuals have strengths that can be used to overcome life’s challenges. Tara utilizes DMT and other creative and expressive modalities as well as mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients process their life experiences. More information on Tara can be found here: https://tararollins.com/

Angela Schueffner  MS, LMFT (she, her, hers)

Angela specializes in trauma/PTSD, using EMDR and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. The relief and empowerment she has seen people experience with these treatments has been truly amazing. Many have not been comfortable coming to therapy, but then the relief they experience is more than they ever thought possible.

Kira Story  MS, MFT-IT (she, her, hers)

Kira has an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. While recognizing the powerful potential for personal transformation, Kira also applies a systemic lens to examine the individual in dynamic relationships with all the systems surrounding them. Kira is interested in issues related to systemic racism, homelessness, LGBTQIA+, trauma, neurodivergence, children with special needs, attachment wounds, ethical non-monogamy, terminal illness, grief and loss. She uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Narrative Therapy, as well as polyvagal and somatic approaches. 

Kylie Taylor  MA, LPC (she, her, hers)

Kylie has a master’s degree in counseling and is a licensed professional counselor. She has been working in the mental health field for 18 years and has been doing direct work with clients for the last 12 years. Kylie works with adults 18 years and up and specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, self-injury, life adjustment issues of all kinds, anger management, domestic violence, and pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety using a strength-based and client centered approach. She typically utilizes a blend of CBT, ACT, positive psychology, narrative therapy, aspects of DBT, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness therapies to help individuals cope with life challenges and mental health struggles. One of Kylie‘s life philosophies is: we’re all in this together. Often times mental health issues can feel isolating and outside of our control, and seeking help shows incredible strength and resilience. With the help of others, people can overcome their fears and struggles and develop confidence and skills to use in the face of adversity. 

Claire Tseng  LCSW (she, her, hers)

Claire is a licensed clinical social worker who practices from the belief that all humans are worthy of safety and belonging. She has experience with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, institutions, and in the community. She aims to create a non-judgmental and welcoming environment that allows for a safe and equal relationship between therapist and client. As a yoga instructor trained in trauma-informed practices, Claire believes in the inherent wisdom of the body and incorporates body-based options in her clinical practice. As a therapist, Claire is person-centered and strength-based. She uses techniques from various modalities, such as cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and other somatic interventions to meet the client where they are and pursue their goals. 

April Zamzow  LPC (she, her, hers)

April is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with children, youth and families.  She has experience working with children and adolescent who struggle with a wide range of challenges, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, mood disorders, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+ concerns, crisis, and trauma.  April  provides affirming care to clients of all identities. She is trained in a variety of modalities including a trauma informed care, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Solution Focused Therapy and Client-Centered therapy.