Wisconsin Mental Health Counseling | Sidebar Counseling
Executive mental health support for Wisconsin professionals.
Welcome to Sidebar Counseling.
Your confidential resource for mental health support.
Mental Health for Wisconsin Professionals
Based in Wausau, Sidebar Counseling provides private, self-pay mental health services for working professionals across Wisconsin. I created Sidebar after a career practicing law for over twelve years in law firms, global corporate organizations, and as a solo practitioner. Now as a trained psychotherapist, my approach reflects real-world experiences across different environments together with evidence-based practices for cultivating mental health. The result is practical mental health and wellness support tailored specifically for working professionals.
If you are here looking for help with navigating mental health at work and at home, I would welcome an opportunity to chat with you.
Matt Shin, J.D., M.A.
Owner, Psychotherapist
Ready to begin? Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Services
Clinical Counseling
Burnout Therapy
Recover from extended periods of emotional and physical exhaustion and learn how to manage your capacity in demanding environments.
Anxiety Therapy
Learn how to experience and regulate anxiety, overcome problematic perfectionistic tendencies, and leverage anxiety as one of our most powerful emotional assets in our personal and professional lives.
Depression Therapy
Identify and resolve behavioral and psychological obstacles to overcoming depression while improving resilience and growing from setbacks.
Not sure which service fits your needs? Get Personalized Guidance
Supported Subject Areas
Work and Careers
An enormous portion of our adult lives is dedicated to what we do for work and our careers as a whole. Work provides structure, community, goals, identity, and opportunities for growth. It can also provide the basis for mental health challenges that impact every other aspect of our lives. Whether the struggle is lack of meaning, interpersonal conflict, disconnecting during time off, stress, or career choices, many problems we experience can be traced back to issues with our work and careers.
Family Issues
We operate in systems that extend beyond ourselves and include our families. Many of our choices, responsibilities, goals, and struggles impact our lives both at work and at home, and sometimes these lives conflict. There is a balance to be struck between the needs of your professional role, the needs of your role at home, and your own needs as a human being. Counseling can help you identify and maintain that balance.
Habit Change
Progress and change tend to result from the accumulation of incremental improvements, including the creation or elimination of habits. Healthier relationships with alcohol, technology, media consumption, sleep, exercise, food—these and other routine aspects of our lives stand to have profound impacts on the way we show up at work and at home. Through therapy, these goals can be set, pursued, and achieved.
First-Time Therapy
We made it this far without help and the idea of reaching out is daunting. But the reality is that our minds present the single greatest opportunity for change and growth. All of our experiences, our wins, our losses, strengths, and shortcomings converge on what we think and how we feel about them. So the question becomes, how can we approach these things differently? In therapy, you will remain in the driver’s seat as we figure it out.
Take the first step toward sustainable success
Ready to prioritize your well-being? Professional support can help you build on your existing strengths while developing practical strategies for life's challenges.
About Sidebar Counseling
Mental Health in Wisconsin
From pressure to practical support
After years practicing law and experiencing firsthand the toll of high expectations and pressure, I transitioned to mental health to help others facing similar challenges. I understand what it means to value self-reliance while recognizing when professional support can make a meaningful difference.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Self-pay practice protecting your privacy
No insurance involvement - Your therapy remains private with no insurance records or claims
Professional discretion - Located in a discrete downtown office with high confidentiality standards
Flexible scheduling - Appointments that work with your schedule and privacy needs
Virtual and in-person options - Secure online sessions available throughout Wisconsin, plus in-person appointments in Wausau
Frequently Asked Questions
"How do I know if I need therapy?"
If you're questioning whether therapy might be helpful, that curiosity itself is often a good indicator. You don't need to be in crisis or have a diagnosed condition - therapy can benefit anyone wanting to better understand themselves, develop coping skills, or navigate life's challenges more effectively. Many people find it most helpful when they address concerns before they become overwhelming.
"How much does therapy cost without insurance?"
Private pay rates vary across practices in Wisconsin. All sessions are $200 at Sidebar Counseling, with limited sliding scale spots available. We operate on a self-pay basis to improve privacy and flexibility -- no insurance records, no employer notifications, and no shared medical records without your consent. Many clients find this investment worthwhile for the confidentiality and personalized care it provides.
"What should I expect in my first therapy session?"
Your first session is conversational and focused on understanding your situation. We'll discuss what brought you in, your goals, and how therapy might help. There's no pressure, no judgment - just an opportunity to see if we're a good fit to work together. Most people leave feeling relieved that it wasn't as intimidating as they expected.
"Do I have to commit to long-term therapy?"
Not at all. Some people benefit from just a few sessions to work through specific challenges, while others find ongoing therapy helpful for continued growth. We'll regularly check in about your progress and adjust as needed and you are free to terminate the engagement at any time.
Still have questions? Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Wausau Office
300 N 3rd Street
Suite 302
Wausau, WI 54401
Virtual services available.