PSYCHOLOGY INTERN

Hello. I’m Vanessa, a Predoctoral Intern finishing my sixth and final year of my Psy.D. at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Brain, Behavior, and Health from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology.

I entered the mental health field because I value human connection, and my greatest goal is to make people feel understood and less alone. I believe that we all struggle, try our best, and are human in ways that are both beautiful and messy. I bring humor to my work, even in difficult moments, and I strive to show up as my authentic self both in and out of the therapy room.

In session, I aim to meet people where they are in the present moment, without judgment. I hope to offer a space where people can be honest, where joy and heaviness can coexist, and where we can move at a pace that feels right for each person.

My approach is integrative, trauma- and client-centered, and gender- and LGBTQIA+-affirming. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is my primary framework, which I integrate with evidence-based, trauma-informed, and relational perspectives to attend to identity, values, culture, and relationship dynamics. I believe each person is the expert on their own life, and I see my role as helping them draw on that knowledge to build a life that reflects their unique experiences and values.

I view myself as a generalist and enjoy working with a wide range of clients. However, I have a particular passion for supporting individuals with complex trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as teens and adults navigating life transitions, intense emotions, and relational issues.

Outside of work, I’m an eccentric creative with many hobbies, including painting, drawing, crocheting, video games, book rebinding, and gothic literature. I’m also a fan of concerts and mosh pits.