Meet Jennifer Wangerin, MA, LPC (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor | Child, Family, Perinatal, and Individual Therapy in Madison, WI
When You Don’t Know What to Do Anymore
People often reach out to me when they’re overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Anxiety has taken over, something painful keeps weighing on them, or they’ve tried everything they know to help their child. Often, I hear, “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
You might be holding on to thoughts you haven’t said out loud because they feel too heavy or too hard for your friends and family to hear. If you’re a parent, you might be replaying everything you “should have” done or “should be” doing differently.
You deserve to be seen and heard without judgment. Other people have felt this way, too, and you’re not alone. We can start with what you haven’t felt able to say out loud and figure out what comes next together.
Calm, Warm, and a Little Bubbly
I’m calm, welcoming, and accepting. And with kids, I’m a little bubbly, too. I’m also straightforward and down-to-earth. I’ll share my perspective openly, and I want you to feel comfortable sharing yours, too.
In our first few sessions, I’ll follow your lead. Some days you need to talk and feel heard. Other days, we’ll focus on coping skills or making sense of what’s happening.
With kids, we’ll play a lot of games and do fun activities while they get comfortable with me. Building that connection helps therapy feel safer and more natural for them.
How I Help Kids, Parents, and Adults
Working with young children and their families has always been my passion. I also enjoy working with adults, college students, healthcare providers, and new and expecting parents.
- Young children and families: Support for anxiety, ADHD, trauma, bullying, parenting challenges, and changes such as a parent’s divorce. Our work can include play, parent skills training, or Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).
- Teens and college students: Help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and life changes.
- New and expecting parents: Support through infertility, pregnancy, and early parenthood, including anxiety, depression, and guilt.
- Adults and healthcare professionals: Help with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and life changes.
- Neurodivergent individuals: Help with anxiety, processing feelings, and building coping skills.
I draw on approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We’ll decide together what fits you or your child.
Signs Therapy Is Starting to Help
Early on, you or your child may feel more comfortable in session or start using a strategy we’ve discussed.
Sometimes you’ll even come in with less to talk about, and that’s a good sign.
Over time, my clients often better understand their feelings and the impact of trauma, and find it easier to use coping skills when they need them.
Why I Do This Work
I’ve loved working with kids since I started babysitting at 11. That passion led me to teach preschool and later provide in-home therapy in Milwaukee. I’ve been practicing since 2009, and along the way, I’ve served as Director of Child and Adolescent Services, consulted for Head Start preschools, and coordinated a community child trauma program in Madison.
I became a therapist to help others, and that’s still what keeps me connected to this work. I’m a parent myself, so I can relate to some of the stresses of parenting. I’m also passionate about supporting people through pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood. Outside work, I love to run, spend time outdoors, and be with my family.
Jennifer’s Education, License & Training
Education
- M.A. in Community Counseling, Marquette University
- B.S. in Psychology and Human Development, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
License
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Wisconsin #5421-125
Membership in Professional Associations:
Selected Trainings and Certifications
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Nationally certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Nationally rostered in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
- Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care, Postpartum Support International
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): 2-Day Intensive Training
- Adult ADHD Assessment and Treatment
- Child ADHD Evaluation and Training
- Explaining a Diagnosis to Kids in a Neurodiversity-Affirming Way
- Supporting Guardians of LGBTQIA Youth
- LGBTQ Clients: Clinical Issues and Treatment Strategies
- Ongoing training in perinatal mental health, child therapy, working with neurodivergent clients, trauma, burnout, and stress.
