Lindsay McClernan, LCSW - Therapist in Wisconsin

Attachment focus
Trauma informed
Skill building

About Lindsay

Lindsay McClernan is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Wisconsin. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship strain, and major life changes. Her style is warm and direct, aimed at making therapy feel practical and doable for busy lives.

She centers sessions on the client's experience and works from attachment-based and client-centered perspectives. That means she pays attention to how past relationships shape current patterns and follows each person's pace and goals. Lindsay also uses cognitive behavioral tools and mindfulness strategies to help people manage strong feelings and rethink stressful habits.

Lindsay has 11 years of experience supporting people through grief, addiction, parenting challenges, and career transitions. She also helps with concerns such as abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, attachment struggles, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster. Her approach is trauma-informed and aims to reduce overwhelm while building practical coping skills.

In sessions she focuses on clear communication, skill-building, and making small changes that add up. She helps people strengthen self-esteem, manage anger, and handle compassion fatigue. Therapy is collaborative - clients and Lindsay set priorities together and track progress over time.

Sessions are delivered in English and reflect an awareness of cultural and identity-related stressors, including challenges faced by LGBT individuals. Prospective clients are encouraged to confirm current session options before booking.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape expectations and reactions. Online sessions use conversations to identify patterns in current relationships and practice new ways of connecting that feel safer and more helpful. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the client's own goals and pace, with the therapist following the person's lead and reflecting back what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions, then tests and changes unhelpful thinking; this can include short exercises and planning between meetings.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit best for their goals, needs, and comfort level. That decision can change over time as priorities shift and progress is made.

Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow quick check-ins when life gets hectic. It can also let people use quieter surroundings or shorter sessions for focused skill practice or brief emotional support. Licensed professionals adapt tools like CBT worksheets, grounding exercises, and attachment-focused conversation to work well in remote sessions.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesGriefParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepression Compassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disaster Dissociation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shame Immigration issues Isolation / loneliness Life purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issues Mood disordersMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

11+ years

Credentials

Wisconsin

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Lindsay address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addiction, relationship and parenting concerns, and related issues such as abandonment and attachment problems.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is person-centered and trauma-informed, focusing on collaboration, clear communication, and practical skills. She blends attachment-based work with CBT and mindfulness to reduce overwhelm.

How much experience does she have?

She has 11 years of experience working with people facing life transitions, family dynamics, and trauma-related concerns.

Where is Lindsay licensed and located?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - practicing in Wisconsin.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people from other countries work with her?

She is not currently accepting international clients.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.