Ellyn Hunter, MA, LMFT, LPC

  E-mail:  hunter@mpccounseling.com   Phone: 608-233-3037 ext. 2

  

I've been in practice for 21 years, with 15 years of private practice. My master's degree is from the University of Colorado-Boulder and I am a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. My approach is eclectic, including both Family Systems and Behavioral therapy.  As a licensed marriage and family therapist I believe that all changes are possible and new behaviors and choices will emerge to replace what is no longer working. I believe that the client knows what is needed, but for whatever reason is stuck and needs additional strategies.  

My clients bring a wide range of issues to therapy.  In addition to depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, many of my clients want to change behaviors associated with anger, domestic conflict, employment issues, and legal problems.  To assist them in these issues, I collaborate with primary doctors, attorneys, and other therapists.

I've found that initially an intense weekly approach works best, and as soon as the client is ready therapy sessions move to every other week with gradual tapering off. In other words, this is not a lifetime commitment.

I work with a variety of clients and issues:

Individuals, both men and women, who are struggling with choices. Issues include overload syndrome, relationships, anger, attention deficit, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, lesbian/gay/LGBT issues, anxieties, panic episodes, depression, work conflicts, career choices, and domestic violence.

Couples, in both traditional and non-traditional relationships, who want to address problems in their relationships. Issues include rebuilding rather than rehashing old wounds, learning how to fight fairly, creating partner equality, changing verbal and non-verbal messages, and accepting partner quirks. 

Divorcing couples with children who need to find different strategies for communicating and ending conflict, since they are not divorcing their children. Issues include divorce mediation, fair and creative child placement arrangements, and co-parenting skills.

Military couples and families who want to work on strengthening relationships, marital conflict resolution, anger management, rebuilding trust after an affair, amicable separation, divorce counseling and rebuilding, as well as dealing with the challenging dynamics that occur when one spouse is gone for long periods of time due to training or deployment.  

Single parents and step-families who need to address the stresses of unique family structures. Issues include dealing with adjustment to family relationships, feeling unappreciated, or becoming overwhelmed with too many roles or responsibilities.

Parents of children/adolescents who feel that they are not being heard or respected. Issues include exploring effective parenting styles, setting rules and boundaries, and developing conflict resolution techniques.  Therapy often includes coordination and collaboration with the child's individual therapist at MPC.

Additional Experience

  • Anger management program for men and their partners
  • Counseling with LGBT clients
  • Shelter for battered women
  • Shelter for homeless women and their children
  • Home-based family intervention program
  • School-based program for teenage moms
  • Family therapy program for at-risk teens and their parents
  • Ongoing liaison with lawyers and probation officers


Anger Management: Understanding and Re-directing Your Anger:
An individually structured program for individuals or couples.

 


MPC
702 N. Blackhawk Ave, Suite 205, Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 233-3037  Fax: (608) 233-5893
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