Wausau Child and Family Counseling

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services Child and Family Counseling therapists have extensive experience working with children, parents and families, including those involved in the child welfare system. Individual and family counseling is available for children, adolescents and families who need help with:

  • Physical or sexual abuse, neglect or other trauma
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Problems due to divorce, separation, remarriage or the death of a loved one
  • Parent-child conflicts
  • Pre- and post-adoption transition.
  • Anger management issues
  • Academic or behavioral school problems

Our therapists:
Susan O'Day, MS, LPC, helps parents and their children develop healthy relationships, leading to management of feelings at home and increased success at school both academically and socially.  Susie has developed an expertise working with young children and their parents, reducing the stress that can develop during the early developmental years.  Parents learn to love their child in a nurturing way.  She believes it is important for parents to understand how their behaviors impact their child.  Using a nurturing, affirming approach, she helps parents explore their own mental health needs and the impact that it has on their child.  Susie uses a similar approach when working with teenagers, helping them to understand how their behavior impacts their family and friends.  Her goal is to help each client reach their greatest level of emotional health, resulting in a more peaceful life.  Clients who have worked with Susie share the following comments:  "Susie is awesome!" "connects at the child's level,"  "kids are able to connect with Susie," helped "change our family to a place that healing has come,"  "improved so much" and "she has made my relationship with my daughter very much better."

Recent trainings that Susie has participated in include:  Developmentally Sensitive Interventions for Sexually Abused Children and Trauma Informed Art Therapy and Resilience:  Enhancing Post Traumatic Success.

Jennie Bushman, MSW, LCSW, helps children and their parents resolve conflicts whether these conflicts are at home, at school, or in the neighborhood.  She believes that each child and parent has their personal strengths and she works with them to identify and develop this strength to help overcome life's challenges.  Jennie values parents' perspectives and includes both parents as much as is reasonably possible in their child's care.  She understands the impact of bullying and helps children develop alternatives to bullying as well as helpful strategies to cope with being bullied. Jennie patiently helps teenagers work through challenges with siblings and classmates, helping them to identify how changing their own behavior can impact others. She is sensitive to the emotional turmoil that adolescents and teens face when their friends spread rumors or end relationships with them.  Jennie has a lot of interest in helping everyone find healthy and positive ways to cope with life's challenges. Comments shared by clients about Jennie include:  "Jennie has helped with (my child's) behaviors a lot,"  "Jennifer was very welcoming & provided information in a respectful professional manner," and "Jen has been very helpful so far as we have just started.  She has an excellent connection with my daughter whom she is seeing & has made it an easier process for her to communicate her troubles to be able to get the help she needs. I also find it very easy to talk w/Jen about the needs of my daughter."

Recent trainings that Jennie has participated in include: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sibling Sexual Abuse: Assessment and Treatment, and Trauma Counseling I.

Location and directions
Galleria IV Building
705 S. 24th Ave., Suite 400
Wausau, WI 54401
(715) 848-1457
Map

Hours
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 

Service Excellence:
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services is committed to providing quality care to the children and families we serve.  We regularly ask clients to give us feedback on how well we are meeting this goal.  Wausau families recently told us:

  • 98% feel comfortable talking with our staff "Usually" or "Always"
  • 96% rate the quality of our staff as "Very Good" or "Excellent"
  • 93% have been helped through counseling "For the most part" or "Definitely"
  • 98% rate the services as "Very Good" or "Excellent"

Comments shared include:

  • "I love this organization.  I also love the passionate care I get from my therapist."
  • "...big help withe my granddaughter.  Very good resource if I need something"
  • "As a Mom I would be loswt with (therapist).  She always makes time for the whole family, if we have questions or concerns."
  • "The receptionist (both) in Wausau have been very patient and helpful with scheduling appointments and getting everyone in and adjusting times and days when needed.  They are always nice and return calls."

FAQ's

  • How do I get counseling for my child? Call the Wausau office at (715) 848-1457 and someone will be happy to help you. 
  • My family and friends tell me that I need counseling for my child but I don't think my child needs it.  What should I do? Jennie and Susie are available to help you sort through the challenge of balancing what other people are telling you and your own experience with your child.  They will want to know your child's strengths, which is what you are seeing. If they believe counseling can help, they will tell you what they can offer in counseling.
  • Do I need to bring anything to my first appointment? Yes, please bring:
    • Your completed Child's Intake Questionnaire or Adult Intake Questionnaire which can be downloaded (click on the form you need) or mailed to you prior to your first appointment.
    • Your medical insurance card (through your employer, personal or Forward card).
    • Verification of income (last year's Income Tax cover page and a recent pay stub if your situation has changed) if you are interested in using our sliding fee scale.
  • What are the costs? Children's Community Services Child and Family Counseling is a United Way funded program.  As such, no one is turned away because of inability to pay. Our Fee Agreement provides a list of current costs. We are a state certified clinic, accepting many insurance plans and medical assistance.  We offer a sliding fee scale for those who do not have insurance coverage.
  • What is a "sliding fee" scale? When someone does not have insurance (through their employer, privately, or Medical Assistance) to help pay for their counseling services, United Way financial support allows us to base your cost per session on your household income and the number of people in your home.  This is called a sliding fee.  Laws do not allow us to offer a sliding fee scale to clients who have insurance.
  • What ages of children do you serve?  If you are asking for help with your child, we will help you. The focus of counseling will vary, depending on the age of your child. For instance, a two year old child will have extensive parent involvement while a 17 year old may have less parental involvement.  Our therapist will work with you to develop an appropriate treatment plan that takes into account your child's age and development.
  • What is a "Treatment Plan"? A Treatment Plan is the plan you develop with either Susie or Jennie that clearly identifies goals and a time frame to meet those goals.  You will have a chance to sign it every 90 days to help see progress toward meeting those goals.
  • Does anyone else know what I talk about in counseling? Client confidentiality is maintained throughout counseling and after counseling ends. We cannot talk with anyone about you without your signed consent. If children share information with us that indicates they are in danger either physically, sexually, or emotionally, we are required by law to report it.  Our goal is to keep your children safe. If appropriate, you will be included in this process so you can help your child stay safe.
  • What is Play Therapy? Play therapy is used to help children share the experiences and express their feelings in the manner that is most natural for them--play.  Play therapy can also help children heal and learn better ways to understand and interact with their world. Susan and Jennie can share more information with you as you develop your child's Treatment Plan.

Practical Advice for Parents

In an effort to provide parents with useful, practical advice and information about children, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has created a Health Information page to provide a variety of information in an easy to use format.  This site is designed to answer your questions regarding your child's development including behavior and emotional changes, understanding nutritional and health care needs, and strategies to keep your child safe from injury throughout his or her life. This advice has been provided by physicians, nurses, dieticians, community educators and other health care providers.