Therapist Wendi Makus Photo

Wendi Makus, LCPC, LPC

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Depression Compassion fatigue
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

Hello! I'm so glad you are here! If you are ready to make some changes in life that are likely to result in improved mental health, improved quality of life, and general well being; you came to the right place!

My approach in counseling is in general to look at the person as a whole; not as their symptoms of problems. I use holistic, solution focused, and trauma informed models to engage client's in the counseling process and achieve their goals.

I have been trained in trauma informed approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); which uses several tools to help client's negative past events have less emotional impact on their lives.
I am also certified in a counseling approach called seed digging therapy (SD), which is developed off the therapy developed in the 90's called theophostic therapy.

The premise of seed digging therapy (SD) is that each individual is generally mostly good, has a desire to be good to others, and wants to have a happy and productive life.

The model states that a person's heart is a "garden" which in analogy has "weeds" and "flowers". Traumatic/Sad events tend to produce weeds and Happy events tend to produce flowers. Weeds in a persons heart can cause many negative reactions in life ranging from interpersonal relationships, self esteem, negative view of the world. Weeds occur when a lie is believed about that sad/bad event. Examples of weeds: not feeling adequate, feeling unloved, feeling a lack of importance.

Flowers are developed when something happens that is positive/ good, and the individual believes something good about themselves. Examples of flowers: I do matter, I am important, I am loved, I belong in this group, family, friendship etc.

The process of seed digging therapy is to find where the root of the negative thoughts started, and create an alternate belief opposite of the negative. Using narrative techniques, the person has the opportunity to recreate meaning if they want to.

I am very excited to meet you, get to know you and help see you to the other side of where you want to be. If you would like to work more with me, we can talk more about your goals and what steps to take to get there.

Professional experience

13yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Depression Compassion fatigue

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, ADHD, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Cancer, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fertility issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Paranoia, Post-traumatic stress, Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

ME LCPC CC6863

AR LPC P1607096

OR LPC C6617

DC LPC PRC200001421

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Wendi Makus. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Wendi always makes sure I am okay and when she notices I am struggling she checks in more often and asks thought provoking questions to ensure I am doing okay.

Written on Mar 16, 2023 after therapy with Wendi for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship issues

Wendi is fantastic. She’s personable and it feels really comfortable talking with her. I always feel better after our sessions.

Written on Jan 11, 2023 after therapy with Wendi for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, self esteem, and compassion fatigue

Wendi is a great listener, she is supportive, no judgment, a terrific resource, and a wonderful therapist.

Written on Oct 14, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and intimacy-related issues

After a few sessions with Wendi, I'm already seeing positive benefits in my life. She is my first experience with a therapist, and has made the whole experience less uncomfortable for me. She is easy to talk to and her comments and advise are both insightful and incisive. She has helped me come up with an actionable plan in dealing with my particular set of issues.

Written on Sep 25, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and anger management

I love Wendi!! She has been extremely patient with my needs and chaotic schedule ❤️

Written on Jul 24, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd

Just getting started with Wendi , but I like her and I think she is a good fit for me. Looking forward to meeting with her more.

Written on Jul 17, 2022 after therapy with Wendi for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and anger management