Cerissa Wills

LMFT | Founder | Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist

In May 2022, Cerissa embarked on a mission to make a difference in the mental health landscape of Madison’s East Side by establishing Vibrations Mental Health. Recognizing a need for quality therapists in this community, Cerissa is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to clients. Beyond this, Cerissa has made it her mission to create a supportive and nurturing environment for fellow therapists who choose to join her in this journey.

Cerissa is committed to walking alongside clients and their path to healing and self-transformation, holding a firm belief that when one person heals they send out healing vibrations into the world for others to take in. Cerissa takes a collaborative approach in her sessions and values clients expertise about themselves while sharing her own expertise to help them overcome obstacles and create their path towards their own healing vibrations. Transparency, humor, and connection are the cornerstones of her approach in working with others.

Cerissa holds a holds a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Edgewood College and has accumulated additional training in several therapeutic modalities, including Functional Family Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Theraplay Attachment. Her experience over many years spans from various roles including In Home Family Therapist, School Based Adolescent Therapist, Child and Family Therapist, Runaway and Youth Services Coordinator, and program manager for multiple family preservation programs.

Cerissa also maintains a close connection to the Rainbow Project, a local nonprofit dear to her heart, where she serves as a trainer for the Bounce Back programming, a trauma intervention group in the schools, and as a clinical supervisor when needed. In the private practice sector, Cerissa honed her skills working with high conflict families of divorce, reunification therapy, and children learning to manage anxiety during her time at Madison Psychiatric Associates.

Beyond her work as a therapist Cerissa holds a strong passion for teaching and mentoring up and coming therapists. Cerissa currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor at two local colleges, Lakeland university and Edgewood college. This role allows Cerissa to share her expertise and knowledge nurturing the next generations of therapist and counselors.

Caitlin Roberts

LMFT

Caitlin (She/her) enjoys helping people connect to their resilience, strength, hope, and ability to heal and grow. She considers it an honor to witness and participate in the healing journeys of her clients. This includes being a safe, non-judgmental and affirming person to listen to your story, and providing a space to offer support, empathy, and solutions to work through life’s challenges. Caitlin will collaborate with you to help you explore and identify personalized strategies and coping skills that best meet your needs.

As a therapist, Caitlin utilizes therapeutic techniques including principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed, Trauma-Informed care, Solution-Focused Therapy, Symbolic-Experiential Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic Processing skills, Art Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy.

Caitlin has several years of experience providing therapy for individuals (children, adolescents, adults), couples, and families. She is also a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and especially enjoys serving clients in this community. As a therapist, Caitlin affirms the intersecting identities of clients, and continually works to decolonize her therapy practice.

Denise Cole

LMFT, MDiv

Denise is a dedicated and compassionate professional who approaches her work with a holistic perspective, recognizing the intricate connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Her journey of guiding individuals towards personal growth and healing is characterized by a commitment to addressing the unique needs of each person she works with.

Born and raised with a strong desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others, Denise pursued a career in therapy at Edgewood College. She combines various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) components, and Family Systems Model, to tailor her approach to suit the specific requirements of her clients.

Among Denise’s areas of expertise and advanced training, Grief Care holds a special place in her heart. She understands the complex and multifaceted nature of grief, and she provides compassionate support to those navigating the challenging journey of loss. Additionally, Denise excels in ADHD coaching, where her keen insight and practical strategies empower individuals with ADHD to unlock their full potential and achieve their goals.

Denise’s passion lies in helping individuals, couples, and families cultivate healthier, more fulfilling lives and relationships. Her ability to create a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions and patterns of behavior has been instrumental in guiding them towards positive transformations. With a deep-rooted commitment to facilitating personal growth, healing, and improved relationships, Denise is a beacon of hope for those she serves.

Samantha Burr

LCSW

I am a dedicated and passionate mental health professional with a strong background in working with children and families who have experienced trauma. I obtained my bachelor’s degree at the University of MN and a Masters’s degree at the University of Chicago, a journey that marked the beginning of my career in the field of clinical social work.

During my academic journey, I interned at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and the Chicago Child Trauma Center at the La Rabida Children’s Hospital. These invaluable experiences allowed me to gain firsthand insights into trauma-informed care and the importance of creating positive relationships with clients during the therapeutic process.

After graduating, my career began in 2010 by working as a child and family therapist for the non-profit Talbert House in one of their outpatient mental health clinics in a rural community outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. I served another diverse and underserved population in a different environment than I had previously, but many similarities in their experiences of trauma. Over the course of five years, I honed my skills working with people of all ages and presenting mental health concerns with varying levels of functioning. I also solidified my commitment to working with children and began providing school-based therapy in the local public 4K-12 grade school district.

When given the opportunity to return to Wisconsin in 2015 I continued to focus on working with children and families that have experienced trauma by joining the non-profit The Rainbow Project in Madison. Since then I completed the UW- Madison’s Infant, Early Childhood, and Family mental health program. This training focused on working with children 5 years old and younger and led to my Infant Mental Health endorsement by the WI Association of Infant Mental Health.

I also continued to develop my skill set by engaging in the training and rostering processes for Child-Parent Psychotherapy. Child-Parent Psychotherapy is an intervention for young children that focuses on supporting and strengthening the relationship between a child and their caregiver as a vehicle for healing from trauma. I have applied my clinical knowledge to school-based work as well and I’m trained to facilitate and teach clinicians the Bounce Back group curriculum, which is a group intervention for Elementary age students who have experienced stress and trauma developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

My work in the past few years has also been influenced by my involvement in UW Madison’s grief support certificate program, the Erickson Institute Theraplay level 1 training, and the WI Association of Infant Mental Health’s reflective practice learning collaborative. These many experiences have supported my devotion and ability to provide holistic clinical services.

Outside of my professional endeavors, I am a mother of three wonderful children, which has only deepened my understanding of the challenges and joys of parenthood. My personal and professional experiences have shaped my therapy philosophy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with clients to create a plan that best addresses individual needs. This philosophy led me to join the dynamic team at Vibrations in 2023 as it is a professional environment that aligns with my commitment to providing comprehensive mental health care and a safe space for all.

Jennifer Conti

LCSW

Jennifer (she/her) believes that a supportive, empathic, and joyful experience serves as the foundation for healing and change. Seeing all ages (child, teen and adult) with a specialty in child/adolescent therapy, Jennifer uses verbal expression as well as play, activity, artistic expression to provide therapy for anxiety or depression, adjustment to family change, grief and loss, struggles with school or peers, relationship development.

Further, Jennifer sees clients with experiences of high stress or trauma, attention disorders, giftedness and 2e, and has advanced training with treatment of OCD. A key element of healing is finding joy and playfulness, which she embodies during session, with a belief that laughter, compassion and kindness are good for the spirit. Jennifer believes that a strong partnership with caregivers is key for the therapy process, and greatly enjoys providing parent support and coaching.

Trauma informed, culturally responsive, and LGBTQ affirming, Jennifer brings over 20 years of clinical experience to her practice as a child and family therapist. She is grateful to have to the opportunity to walk with you and your family on a journey toward feeling healthier, happier, and more connected. Available for in person or teletherapy sessions.