Rebecca Russell
Meet
Mental Health Therapist
Hello! I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with children and pre- teens. I am passionate about working with anxiety, OCD, issues of self-esteem, life transitions, emotion dysregulation, and chronic illness. She has received training in and utilizes CBT, ERP, SPACE, ACT, emotion regulation strategies, and behavior management.
I am excited to meet you! I grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, before moving to Madison, Wisconsin, for college. I always knew I wanted to work in a helping profession, but wasn’t initially sure whether it would be in the medical field, music therapy, or mental health. Once I decided to work in the mental health field, I majored in psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After I graduated in 2015, I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for my Master's in Social Work with a concentration in medical social work. I completed my master's internship at Riley Hospital for Children and graduated in 2017.
I started my career as a school-based therapist for Kindergartners through 5th graders. It was in this setting that I truly discovered my passion for working as a therapist with children. I was inspired by the resilience that I saw in all of my students as they navigated challenging situations and emotions. I then moved to a private practice setting where I honed in on children struggling with issues related to anxiety and OCD. It has been a privilege to help children see that they can conquer their fears and live the lives they want.
My approach to therapy is centered on the belief that children are resilient and can use their strengths to move forward when facing challenges. I love cheering on my clients and families and celebrating their victories, no matter how big or small. You will find me to be empathetic, compassionate, collaborative, and fun. I use integrative therapy approaches and strategies, including psychoeducation, CBT, mindfulness, ACT, and emotion regulation techniques. I also utilize ERP and SPACE for clients with OCD or anxiety. I believe that children learn in a variety of ways, and I enjoy incorporating music, art, stories, or play based on what your child needs.
Outside of work, I love walking on the Monon Trail with my husband and my dog, Luna. I also love spending time at coffee shops, reading, watching movies, and playing the piano. I look forward to working with you and your family!