Beyond fear: navigating paranoia with compassion and understanding

Providing specialized in-person support in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin, virtually.

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A note on Paranoia:

The term "paranoia" often implies that fears exist only in one's mind with no basis in reality. This simply isn't true. Experiences of fear and suspicion exist on a spectrum—sometimes they're protective instincts responding to genuine threats, sometimes they're responses to past trauma, and often they're a complex mix of both.

My role isn't to judge whether your fears are "real" or not. I'm here to partner with you in exploring your experiences, understanding their origins, and developing skills to assess situations in ways that foster clarity rather than overwhelm. Together, we can work toward discerning which fears serve to protect you and which ones might be limiting your life unnecessarily.

When trust feels difficult

That feeling of being watched or believing others have hidden intentions can consume your thoughts and energy. For many people, suspicious thinking and unusual beliefs emerge during stressful periods or after difficult life experiences. This can create roadblocks in everyday situations from casual conversations to routine errands.

You might be experiencing:

A constant sense of vigilance – scanning rooms for threats, feeling watched in your own home, or noticing patterns and connections others dismiss

Difficulty trusting others – wondering about hidden intentions, feeling that casual conversations contain coded messages, or sensing that others might hurt you

A shift in how you perceive everyday situations – suddenly seeing danger in familiar places or feeling that random events hold special significance just for you

What if understanding was possible?

What if there was space to explore these perceptions with someone who listens with curiosity?

What if you could discover ways to feel grounded enough to rest fully, navigate public spaces, and develop meaningful connections?

What if you could develop a relationship with these thoughts that honors their protective nature while creating more options for how you respond?

What if you could recognize the early signs of these intense states and support yourself before they become overwhelming?

Working together

At my Milwaukee practice, I create space for examining frightening beliefs and suspicions through approaches that honor your whole experience. I won't dismiss your perceptions or try to convince you they aren't real – instead, we'll explore what these experiences might be communicating and develop strategies for reducing distress.

I don't position myself as the arbiter of reality. Life has taught me that seemingly outlandish ideas can turn out to have evidence supporting them, while commonly accepted "facts" can prove false. Rather than judging your perceptions, I bring interest and patience.

Together, we can examine your thoughts, beliefs, and fears without immediate dismissal or validation. This neutral, exploratory approach helps us find the truth of your experiences—whether it's just a grain or the entire situation—while reducing the distress these fears cause.

I don't expect you to trust me just because I’m a counselor. Trust develops slowly through consistently showing up, being dependable, and respecting your autonomy over time. It’s wise not to be too trusting and I understand that many people have been harmed in the mental health system by people they were told they could trust.

Many people find their suspicious thoughts decrease during therapy; others develop ways to live alongside them with less interference in daily life. Either way, our work focuses on helping you reconnect with meaningful activities and relationships.

TOGETHER WE CAN...

  • Work at a pace that honors your comfort level and doesn't push you beyond your readiness

  • Include multiple perspectives including spiritual, cultural, psychological, and lived experience frameworks

  • Track patterns in your suspicious thoughts and explore what situations tend to intensify them

  • Explore connections between your beliefs and your deeper feelings about yourself and others

  • Develop strategies for navigating moments of intense suspicion while staying aligned with your values

  • Figure out ways to maintain work, family, or school responsibilities even when fearful thoughts arise

  • Build on your inner wisdom to distinguish between helpful caution and debilitating fear

  • Figure out ways to creatively investigate your fears

  • Address trauma that may be underlying your experiences of mistrust or unusual perceptions

  • Build confidence to discuss your experiences with carefully chosen people who can provide understanding

  • I don't give diagnoses unless specifically discussed with you. I find it more helpful to understand what's specifically bothering you rather than fitting experiences into categories that were designed for research purposes rather than clinical care.

    Some people find receiving a diagnosis brings relief and clarity, while for others it can cause confusion or even harm. I work with people whether you:

    • Relate to labels like schizophrenia or psychosis

    • Prefer no diagnostic labels at all

    • Fall somewhere in between

    MY APPROACH TO LANGUAGE

    In our sessions, I'll use the language YOU prefer.

    Personally, I favor:

    • Descriptive terms like "hearing voices" or "frightening beliefs"

    • Non-pathologizing phrases such as "altered states" or "extreme states"

    While I sometimes use diagnostic terms in blog posts or to help people with specific experiences find my practice, our work together will focus on your unique experiences, not labels.

  • I'm pro-choice when it comes to medication decisions. Your body, your experience, your choice.

    If you're interested, I'm happy to recommend clinicians who:

    • Prescribe medications

    • Create thoughtful tapering schedules when you wish to reduce or discontinue

    • Avoid polypharmacy (multiple medications at once)

  • While I can't guarantee specific outcomes, many clients I work with do experience a reduction in suspicious thoughts and unusual beliefs over time.

    Through our work together, you may begin to:

    • Recognize specific stressors that tend to intensify frightening thoughts

    • Develop awareness of when you're entering a cycle of increasing suspicion

    • Learn techniques to ground yourself during difficult moments

    • Discern between intense fears and real threats, so you can trust yourself to handle scary situations

    Many people discover that simply understanding the pattern of their experiences—knowing that intense suspicion often follows particular triggers and will eventually subside—can significantly reduce distress. This awareness often creates space between the thought and your reaction to it.

    Our focus isn't necessarily on eliminating these experiences, but rather on reducing their power to disrupt your life and relationships.

  • While I can't guarantee specific outcomes for any individual, I do carefully track results and can share how effective my work has been overall.

    MEASURED RESULTS

    As of 2025, my practice shows an effect size of 1.1 - considered large in therapeutic outcomes research.

    What does this mean? An effect size of 1.1 indicates substantial positive change for most clients. In practical terms, it means that the average person who works with me experiences more improvement than approximately 84% of people who don't receive similar support.

    REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

    I believe in transparency about outcomes:

    • The vast majority of my clients experience meaningful improvements in quality of life

    • Some people make dramatic progress that exceeds expectations

    • Others may experience more modest changes

    • A small percentage may not achieve their desired goals despite our best efforts

    My commitment is to track our progress together, adjust approaches when needed, and always honor your experience and feedback throughout our work.

    If we find that our therapy isn't working, I'll help you connect with someone who might be a better fit.

Paranoia F.A.Q.

If this resonates with you,

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE 15-MINUTE PHONE CALL

The Process:

1. Choose: Self-schedule your free 15-minute phone call or intake session using my online calendar.

2. Confirm: I'll confirm your appointment within the next business day and send all the details you need.

3. Connect: Just answer your phone at the scheduled time and decide if we're a good fit to work together.

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