Therapy for thriving.
Many of us have a sense of the life we want, yet moving toward it can feel difficult. We may stay in situations that no longer serve us, feel unsure how to make changes, or find ourselves caught in a harsh inner dialogue. Sometimes, the ways we cope can leave us feeling even more stuck.
Therapy can help you understand how you arrived here, clarify what you want moving forward, and explore meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling life.
What I value most about working with people is getting to know them—their stories, what matters most to them, and where they hope to go. I enjoy helping clients clarify their goals and find meaningful ways to move toward them.
Together, we can explore what may be getting in the way, where those challenges come from, and what might help you work through them. The aim is to support you in taking steps toward the life you want.
John Stampen, MS, LPC-IT
The challenges we face often have roots within us, shaped by the experiences and relationships that have influenced our lives.
Therapy can help you identify and understand your patterns with curiosity and compassion—and discover new ways forward. Some patterns may serve you well, while others can keep you from what matters most.
The good news is that change is possible, and the first step is to become a good observer of what is happening around and within you.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu
“When someone makes a decision, they are really diving into a strong current that will carry them to places they had never dreamed of when they first made the decision.” (adapted from Paulo Coehelo).
It takes courage to talk with someone about your challenges, and I commend you for considering therapy, and hope that if you chose to take this step with me or another therapist, that it helps to get to where you want to go next in life.
Arriving at that decision is a milestone. Hopefully the first of many to come.
My Therapy Specialties
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Support for understanding panic symptoms, easing fear, and building confidence in everyday life.
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Support in understanding recurring patterns, communicating more effectively, and building healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
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Support for understanding your relationship with alcohol or other substances, exploring what you want to change, and finding practical steps toward healthier coping and greater well-being.
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Support in recognizing the impact of chronic work stress, restoring balance, and exploring sustainable ways to care for yourself and move forward.
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“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
John Stampen, LPC-IT
Hi there! I’m John.
I am lifelong student of psychology and have masters degrees in both cognitive science (how people think and learn), and clinical mental health counseling from UW-Madison, and UW-Milwaukee.
I am a son, a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and a co-worker and enjoy and have learned a great deal from each of these roles.
I love walking in the woods, reading a good book, learning something new, spending time and laughing with friends and family, and helping people whenever and however I can.
Therapy With Me Is
Driven by you - We will go where you want to go. My primary focus is to help you move towards your goals.
Practical - Not all things work for all people. We will explore different approaches and zero in on what works best for you.
Safe and supportive - Therapy works best when it is a place of calm in the storm and a safe place to explore and grow.
Values based - As the song goes, “You can’t get what you want, until you know what you want.” People generally feel better when they spend time on activities aligned with their values.
Insightful (hopefully!) - It can be very useful to connect current challenges to our past experiences to better understand where we are coming from.
Starting Therapy Together
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01.
I offer every new client a free consultation. It’s your chance to ask any questions and see what it’s like to work together.
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02.
If you decide we’re a fit we’ll have a first intake session. These are an hour long letting us go deeper into what brings you to therapy.
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03.
Your therapy sessions are tailored to your unique challenges, offering a supportive space to gain insight, build skills, and create change.