Straight forward therapy
Straightforward Therapy.
Real Conversations.
Meaningful Change.
Looking for a therapist in Germantown or Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin?
I'm Susan Ellis, MS, LPC, a Licensed Professional Counselor helping adults and teens navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and overwhelming life stressors. I offer practical, evidence-based counseling, EMDR therapy, and Christian counseling for clients who want faith incorporated into treatment.
Appointments are available in Germantown and through secure telehealth across Wisconsin.
In-person in Germantown, WI | Online throughout Wisconsin
Hi! My name is Susan Ellis. I am a mental health therapist working in Germantown, Wisconsin. If you are looking for a therapist to work with, I would love to connect with you.
I was born and raised in Texas. Wisconsin became home in 2019. I have combined the non-nonsense straight talk from Texas with Midwestern nice. This results in a therapeutic approach that challenges my clients. I see them making progress with each visit, and their lives are improving. I believe that relationships are important, so many of my clients will continue to see me for support even after their major stressors have been resolved.
You Don't Have to Keep Living This Way
Maybe you're exhausted from overthinking everything. Your anxiety keeps you awake at night. You're irritable, overwhelmed, or struggling to find motivation. Perhaps a difficult relationship, traumatic experience, or unexpected life change has left you feeling stuck.
You may be functioning well on the outside while privately wondering how much longer you can keep everything together.
Therapy isn't about having someone tell you everything you want to hear. It's about understanding what's keeping you stuck and learning what you can do differently.
My approach combines compassion, honesty, practical strategies, and accountability. We'll identify patterns that aren't working, challenge unhelpful thinking, and develop skills you can actually use outside the therapy office.
You don't need another person telling you to just think positively. You need a plan that makes sense for your life.
Therapy Services in Germantown, Wisconsin
Anxiety Counseling
Anxiety isn't always panic attacks. Sometimes it's constant worry, perfectionism, irritability, racing thoughts, or feeling responsible for everyone else. Using CBT, ACT, DBT-informed strategies, and other approaches, I help you recognize anxiety patterns, manage your reactions, and regain confidence.
Depression Counseling
Depression can look like sadness, but it can also show up as exhaustion, emotional numbness, withdrawal, frustration, or losing interest in things you once enjoyed. Together, we'll work to understand what's contributing to your symptoms and develop realistic steps toward improving your mood, motivation, and daily functioning.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety & Distressing Experiences
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people process distressing memories and experiences. I offer EMDR for appropriate clients dealing with trauma, negative beliefs, and experiences that continue to affect their emotional well-being.
EMDR may be particularly valuable for first responders, healthcare professionals, and people carrying the emotional effects of difficult experiences.
Christian Counseling
Your Christian faith doesn't have to be separated from your mental health care. As a lifelong Lutheran with formal theological education, I understand the importance of approaching life's struggles through a biblical worldview.
For clients who desire it, I integrate Christian faith and values with evidence-based mental health treatment. Faith integration is always your choice, and I also welcome clients who prefer secular counseling.
Learn About Christian Counseling
A Therapist Who Will Listen — and Challenge You to Grow
I'm Susan Ellis, MS, LPC, a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Ellis Counseling in Germantown, Wisconsin.
My professional background includes education, law, business, and clinical mental health counseling. Those experiences have shaped how I approach therapy: practical, straightforward, and focused on helping people make meaningful changes.
I'm not the therapist who will simply nod and ask, "How does that make you feel?" for an entire session.
I'll listen carefully, ask questions, help you identify patterns, and challenge you when your thinking or behaviors may be contributing to the problems you're experiencing.
That doesn't mean therapy is harsh or judgmental. It means I respect you enough to be honest while helping you develop the tools to move forward.
My philosophy is simple: No-nonsense therapy for real results.
Counseling for Real People Facing Real-Life Challenges
I work with clients who are managing complicated, demanding lives. You may be a professional trying to keep up with responsibilities, a mother who has spent years caring for everyone else, a first responder dealing with accumulated stress, or someone whose relationships and mental health need attention.
My practice includes counseling for women navigating motherhood, perimenopause, and major life transitions; adults experiencing anxiety and depression; first responders and healthcare professionals; teens ages 14 and older; and individuals seeking Christian-centered mental health care.
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Sometimes the best time to get help is when you recognize that what you're doing isn't working anymore.
What Can You Expect at Your First Therapy Appointment?
Your first appointment is an intake assessment. We'll discuss what brought you to therapy, relevant personal history, your current concerns, and what you want to change.
From there, we'll develop treatment goals and determine which approaches best fit your needs. Depending on your situation, this may include traditional talk therapy, skills-based interventions, or EMDR.
Many clients begin with weekly sessions to build momentum, then transition to biweekly appointments as they make progress.
Therapy is collaborative, but it's not passive. You'll be encouraged to take what we discuss in session and put it into practice in everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
How do I find an anxiety or depression therapist near Germantown, WI?
Susan Ellis, MS, LPC, provides individual counseling for anxiety, depression, and related life challenges at Ellis Counseling in Germantown, Wisconsin. Her practice serves clients from Menomonee Falls, surrounding Washington and Waukesha County communities, and across Wisconsin through telehealth. Contact the practice to discuss scheduling an initial assessment.
Do you offer EMDR therapy in Germantown, Wisconsin?
Yes. Susan Ellis offers EMDR therapy for appropriate clients experiencing trauma-related distress and other concerns for which EMDR may be clinically indicated. Treatment begins with an intake assessment to evaluate your needs, readiness, and treatment goals. The timing and number of EMDR sessions depend on your individual circumstances.
Can I see a Christian therapist who also uses evidence-based treatment?
Yes. Susan Ellis is a Licensed Professional Counselor with formal Lutheran theological education who offers Christian counseling upon request. Treatment can integrate Scripture, faith, and Christian values with evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and EMDR when clinically appropriate. Clients who prefer nonreligious therapy are welcome as well.
Do you offer online counseling throughout Wisconsin?
Yes. Ellis Counseling offers secure telehealth appointments to clients physically located in Wisconsin, when telehealth is clinically appropriate. This allows eligible clients outside Germantown and Menomonee Falls to access counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, and life stressors without traveling to the office.
How much does therapy cost, and do you accept insurance?
Fees and insurance arrangements depend on the service and applicable coverage. Self-pay options are available, and some services, including couples counseling, are self-pay only. Contact Ellis Counseling for current individual session rates, insurance information, and payment options before scheduling.
How do I schedule my first appointment with Susan Ellis?
Start by contacting Ellis Counseling through the website. You'll receive information about scheduling, fees, and intake paperwork. Your first appointment is an assessment where we'll discuss your concerns, establish goals, and determine an appropriate treatment plan. You do not need to know exactly what kind of therapy you need before reaching out.
Ready for Something to Change?
You can keep pushing through anxiety, ignoring depression, or hoping the stress will eventually settle down. Or you can decide it's time to approach things differently.
You don't need all the answers before starting therapy. That's part of what we'll work on together.
If you're looking for a therapist who is compassionate, direct, and willing to challenge you to make meaningful changes, I'd welcome the opportunity to work with you.
Susan Ellis, MS, LPC | Ellis Counseling
Germantown, Wisconsin | Serving Menomonee Falls and clients throughout Wisconsin via telehealth
Request an Initial Appointment
262-622-2793 | susan@susanellislpc.com