Founded in 1881 when the railway selected the area, Altoona was not incorporated as a small town until 1887 and although they have grown, the community strives to keep the small-town atmosphere. Bordered by the Altoona River and Otter Creek, Altoona has become a favorite recreational area for many.
Whether you are a lifelong resident or are new to Altoona, you are welcomed here with open arms and this includes the health care providers. In fact, the Altoona area has some of the best mental health providers as well. If you have any kind of mental or emotional concerns, talk to one of the counselors in the Altoona area for help.

Emily Priestaf
Hello! My name is Emily, and I’m a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Wisconsin, and am a board certified music therapist (MT-BC) with an M.A. in clinical mental health counseling and music therapy. If you are struggling to cope with difficult emotions or have experienced stressful life experiences, connecting with a therapist can equip you with skills and support. Additionally, working with a therapist can help you build awareness around yourself and your relationships. I care deeply about the relationship I establish with my clients. I am supportive, empathetic and nonjudgmental, bring warmth and compassion to the work and enjoy working collaboratively. My treatment approach combines person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and creative practices. You are an individual and know yourself best, so I like to be able to give options for how we can work based upon what you are hoping to focus on for goals. If you are the kind of person who needs a sounding board, I can be that for you. If you are a person who needs structure and support, we can use more CBT. If you like more of a creative approach with music, art, or other expressive avenues, we can utilize those in the therapeutic process. If all or none of those sound like they would be a good fit, I would love to hear what you need and will support you, because again, you know yourself and your needs better than anyone else. I will help you identify and meet your goals, challenge thought patterns, draw on your own strengths to problem solve and help you learn new tools to function effectively and fulfill your potential. I have a breadth of experience working with kids, teens, young adults, and adults. I look forward to hearing from you and learning about your challenges and goals for the future.

Kate Halbach
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Laura Lininger
Hello! My name is Laura Lininger, LCSW. I attended Indiana University and got my BA in Psychology and then moved on to Tulane University in NOLA for my Masters in Social Work. I have worked for many years doing child and adolescent therapy and then later added working with adults to the services I provide. I believe my child and adolescent therapy background has been a great foundation for working with adults who are dealing with childhood trauma or family of origin issues. As for treatment approaches, I use Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR. I also include a lot of mindfulness practice in my work with clients. I am proud to provide a safe environment for all races, genders, religions, and clients from the LGBTQ community.

Sonia Wiesner
I am licensed in Wisconsin with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Simon Rabas
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Cheryl Teague
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 5 years of professional work experience. I believe that you are the expert on your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Carolynn White
Seek holistic well-being, personal growth, and lasting change? As a Marriage and Family Therapist, my unique approach blends systems thinking, Zen Buddhism, and cybernetic wisdom. I believe in transformation through understanding interconnected systems. We shift from working against ourselves to working with ourselves, and from battling circumstances to embracing them. My approach resonates with those who are ready to embrace personal accountability and who seek to explore the depths of their inner worlds. It's for individuals, couples, and families who are open to transforming their relationships and lives through a non-judgmental, holistic, and systemic approach. What sets me apart as a therapist is my commitment to providing a non-judgmental, blame-free space that fosters self-discovery and growth. I draw from Zen Buddhism, channeling the wisdom of luminaries like Alan Watts, to help clients find peace and mindfulness in their journey. If you're ready to embark on a transformative journey, reach out.

Julie Chen
My name is Julie Chen and I'm a licensed mental health therapist in Utah. My years of professional experience include working with adults, college students, veterans, and teenagers with struggles such as crisis situations, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, personality disorders, self esteem, emotion regulation, substance use, family dynamics, career difficulties, and eating disorders. I'm a strong believer in using psychoeducation in therapy because it can help you better cope and understand your mental illness and/or struggles. My counseling style is pretty laid back. I have been described as supportive, caring, compassionate, warm, and optimistic. I like to focus on identifying your personal values and strengths, feeling emotions, and self love. I'm here to help you sort through the things that are difficult right now, and offer you a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment. I strongly believe you are the expert of yourself and feel that you should be so proud of yourself in taking the first and most important step by reaching out for help. Should you feel in need of urgent help or that you are in crisis at any time during our work together; please call 1-800-273-TALK 24 hours a day; or 911. This forum does not provide any type of emergency services, so I want to be sure you know who to contact if you need immediate help. You are not alone. Things can get better. I'm really looking forward to working with you! Be well, Julie Chen, LCSW

Steven Nordeen
I am a licensed counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor operating in Wisconsin. I’ve worked in many colorful and exciting fields: I worked within the community in Madison, WI as a forensic counselor for approximately 4 years (helping folks that had severe and persistent mental illnesses navigate their wellness and the courts). I’ve worked as an agent for the Department of Corrections. I’ve been a financial planner. I’ve moved pianos. I’m a licensed airplane mechanic. And I currently work for the state of Wisconsin as a counselor. My style and substance are client-centered, some would say to the maximum. I am not the boss in my clients’ lives and I maintain unconditional and positive regard for all of my clients, past, present, and future.

David "Dave" Block
I am licensed in Wisconsin with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, anger management, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Find a therapist serving clients in Wisconsin
Types of therapists available to clients in Altoona
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Altoona that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Altoona available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Altoona therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Altoona therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Altoona region and in the state of Wisconsin.
How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want
Therapists in Altoona can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Altoona may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.