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Meet Our Licensed Therapists

Facilitating Mental Health & Wellness

Let us help you and your loved ones find emotional well-being, achieve your personal goals, and reach your fullest potential. Our professional staff includes licensed psychologists, psychotherapists, marriage and family counselors, social workers, and substance abuse counselors.

 

Family Service attracts and is able to retain a top quality professional staff and enjoys a broad base of community support. This makes Family Service uniquely qualified to assess critical community needs and to address those needs with programs that are both timely and effective.

Psychotherapists

Shannon Olson, MSW, LCSW

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

 

Education & Credentials

Master’s of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

B.A. Psychology, North Park University

Certified Trauma Treatment Professional
 
Practice Location
Waukesha Clinic

 

Practice Philosophy
I feel quality counseling depends on a quality relationship

between therapist and client. A quality relationship is one

defined by trust, warmth, empathy - and a bit of laughter now and then! While I maintain a high level of professionalism, a good therapeutic relationship can also feel like letting your hair down with a good friend over coffee. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.
 
Areas of Expertise
I have several years of experience as a group and individual counselor, and graduate level instructor in trauma counseling. I have worked with a wide variety of presenting concerns and have a strong background working with career and life changes, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, chronic pain, conflict and trauma. 
 
Treatment Specialties

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, positive/strengths-based counseling, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Board Certification & Organizations

Member of NASW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Board Member, Safe Families of SE Wisconsin

 
Concentration
Age 18 and older
 
Personal Interests

I really enjoy music: all different kinds, listening to it, concerts, playing my keyboard and singing. I also enjoy running and working out with friends at the gym. I have two college aged children and two cats and am active in my church.

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Janice O'Rourke, LCSW

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

 

Education & Credentials

Master of Social Work, University of Wisconsin –Milwaukee

Certification in Marriage and Family Therapy- University of

Wisconsin- Milwaukee

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work- University of

Wisconsin-Whitewater
 
Practice Location
Telehealth

 

Practice Philosophy
I believe therapy is a path towards mind, body and spirit, health and healing.  It is an honor when a client chooses me to join them on their journey. I respect who they are and join with them as they begin writing the next chapter of their life, whatever that may be.
 
Areas of Expertise
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), childhood neglect/abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, panic, life transitions, grief and loss, relationship issues, parenting, sexual assault, and depression.
 
Treatment Specialties
Family systems based, Trauma Informed, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness

Board Certification & Organizations
Licensed Clinical Social Work – State of Wisconsin

 
Concentration
Age 18 and older
 
Personal Interests
I am forever reading and learning something new.  I love visual arts and spend much of my free time working with fabric, paint and ink.  My husband and I share an interest in U.S. History and focus our traveling around “history” trips.  As a mother to five and grandmother of eight, life is always an adventure!!

Katherine Poff, LPC-IT 

PSYCHOTHERAPIST 

 

Education & Credentials

Master of Science in Art Therapy - Mount Mary University 


Practice Location

School Services and Children’s Place in Waukesha 

Practice Philosophy

Life often presents us with challenges and hardships that seem impossible to overcome.

I believe everyone is the author and hero of their own story. Everyone has the strength

and ability to alter their life in a positive way. I aim to provide a safe and non-judgmental

space to explore my clients’ stories of struggles and successes alongside them. My

treatment method combines the power of art with traditional talk therapy. By doing so,

clients can express themselves and explore the answers they seek to live full, happy, and healthy lives. I also believe in treatment that looks different for each client to meet their specific needs. This can include using play, movement, mindfulness, and other techniques. I have experience working with non-verbal clients and those who need various physical and cognitive considerations. In the past I have created adaptive tools to make the healing power of art accessible to everyone. 

 
Areas of Expertise
Autism Spectrum Disorder (verbal and non-verbal), adaptive therapeutic art making, anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss. 

Treatment Specialties 

I use Person-Centered, Narrative, and Existential theories to help guide treatment tailored to each client. I combine art, play, movement, and/or mindfulness with talk therapy to bring forth healing and positive change. 

 
Concentration

Children and Adolescents. LGBTQ+ friendly. 

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Emily Prahlow, MS, MFT-IT

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

 

Education & Credentials

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy,

University of Nebraska-Lincoln
 
Practice Location

Waukesha Clinic and Children’s Place

Practice Philosophy

I believe people live healthy and happy lives through connection with other

people. I love to work with individuals, couples and families and use a

strength based, systems perspective when working with my clients. I tend to

focus on past experiences that are contributing to the current problem while

finding the balance of staying present in the moment, and finding hope for

the future. I enjoy walking alongside people as they find their inner peace, confidence and resiliency.


Areas of Expertise
Couples work, families, self-esteem, trauma, anxiety and depression.
 
Treatment Specialties
EMDR, Gottman couples work, Attachment-Based family therapy, TF-CBT, Mindfulness

 
Concentration

Children ages 3-11, adolescents transitioning to adulthood, adults and couples, LGBTQ affirming

 

Personal Interests

I enjoy walking, running, going to the beach, playing board games with friends and family. I love trying new foods.

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Matthew Pratt, LPC-IT

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

 

​Education & Credentials

Master’s of Science in Art Therapy from Mount Mary University

Bachelor’s of Art in Art Therapy from Capital University

​Practice Location
School Services

 

Practice Philosophy

I believe that every person carries their own stress, trauma, and burdens, but these

are not what define who we are, or our character. I will work with you to define where your story begins and where your story is headed despite any challenges you may be facing. I hold a personal belief that art can be found in everything and does not always include a paint brush and paper. I will help you define your story in a creative way that makes sense to you. I aim to help each individual by defining "what is art" in order to avoid an intimidating and stressful atmosphere. The challenges that we experience in life are not our defining traits and through working together we will continue to change the ending of your story.


​​Areas of Expertise

Grief and loss, adolescent and childhood abuse


Treatment Specialties

I blend a combination of Narrative and Gestalt based practices together to help you identify the whole picture of your life’s story, while working through our sessions with an expressive and art-based approach

Concentration

Children and Adolescents

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Kory Scherer, MS, LPC-IT

PSYCHOTHERAPY 

 

​Education & Credentials

Master of Science in Professional Counseling,

Clinical Mental Health Concentration- Mount Mary University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology- Carthage College

​Practice Location
Waukesha Clinic 

 

Practice Philosophy
Through a person-centered and strength-based approach to therapy, I believe

that individuals have the power to achieve immense growth and positive

change in their lives. I view individuals as the experts of their own realities and,

thus, find that the therapeutic process should be a collaborative journey. As we work together to uncover individualized pathways to healing and wellness, I always strive to create a safe environment and trusting relationship for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Healthy connections and supportive relationships are often central to our overall well-being.


​​Areas of Expertise
Anxiety, Depression and Other Mood Disorders, Trauma, Life Transitions, Stress Management, Relationship Conflicts


Treatment Specialties

I embrace an integrative and tailored approach to therapy based on an individual’s unique needs and goals. This may include Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Mindfulness.

 

Board Certifications & Organizations

American Counseling Association

Wisconsin Counseling Association

Concentration

Adults and Adolescents

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Julia Shaughnessy, MA, MFT-IT

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

 

​Education & Credentials

Master’s Degree: Marriage and Family Therapy, North Central

University

Bachelor's Degree:  Communication,  University of Connecticut.

​Practice Location
Waukesha Clinic and Children's Place 

 

Practice Philosophy
I focus on evidence-based approaches to ensure that clients achieve positive outcomes. Drawing from a strength-based perspective helps individuals and families identify solutions that improve relationships and individual function. Everyone has the ability to make positive changes in their lives, but everyone’s solution is slightly different. Together we can find not just what works, but what is most effective for each individual client.
 
​​Areas of Expertise
Family relationships, family conflict, parenting, marriage/couples concerns, trauma, behavioral issues, teens and adolescents, depression, anxiety, stress.

Treatment Specialties

Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy

 

Concentration

Distressed Families, Couples, Children 10 and older.

Personal Interests

Cooking, traveling and experiencing exotic things are top of my list. But I also love to hang out at home with my family playing games, taking hikes and enjoying each other's company.  We have a cocker spaniel and we love playing and snuggling with him. I am also a  lifelong girl scout and I volunteer when I can.

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Elizabeth Szalewski, ATR, LPC

PSYCHOTHERAPIST 

Education & Credentials

Master of Science in Art Therapy from Mount Mary University

Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Benedictine College

Practice Location
School Services 

Practice Philosophy
I strive to promote empowerment, connection, understanding,

and holistic well-being with clients. I operate from a

strength-based approach, honoring a client’s wisdom and experience.  
 
​​Areas of Expertise
Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and trauma, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotion and behavior regulation, and adaptive art making.

Treatment Specialties

I practice from Person Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Existential theories. I am also fond of Mindfulness techniques.

Board Certifications & Organizations

Licensed Professional Counselor

Registered Art Therapist

Concentration

Children and Adolescents

Personal Interests

Outside of work, I can be found in my home studio, painting away. I also enjoy absorbing as much sunlight as possible, hiking, photographing flora and fauna, and visiting lakes.

Ligia Wipfli, MS, LPC, CSAC

PSYCHOTHERAPIST-Bilingual (Spanish)

Education & Credentials

Master of Science in Counseling

Clinical Substance Abuse Counseling

Practice Location
Telehealth

Practice Philosophy

I believe in the empowerment of each individual client through

active and engaged sessions by working together in addressing and

adjusting behaviors that would help the patient reach their personal and professional goals.
 
​​Areas of Expertise
I have 20+ years’ experience working with a diverse population helping clients with issues of depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, substance use disorders, Anger issues, and Domestic abuse.

Treatment Specialties

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness.

Board Certifications & Organizations

Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Wisconsin Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, Member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association

Concentration

Adults and couples

Personal Interests

I enjoy traveling international and domestic. Love road trips specially with my family and listening to educational podcast in Spanish and English.

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