ANISE PSYCHOLOGY
Therapy. Evaluations. Corporate consultations.
Meet Dr. Nwankwo
Welcome to the practice of Dr. Nnenna Nwankwo.
—Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Owner of Anise Psychology.
My interest in understanding how we construct our selves and our worlds and make meaning from our experiences led me to studying psychology. This interest has persevered over the years, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a variety of clinical settings, ranging from school health clinics, community mental health centers, inpatient settings, group practice, military base hospital and clinics, and the VA.
Education
PsyD. in Clinical Psychology, Pacific University School of Professional Psychology, Oregon (APA accredited).
M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Pacific University School of Professional Psychology, Oregon.
M.A. in Clinical and Humanistic Psychology, Michigan School of Professional Psychology, Michigan.
B.S. in Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa.
Licenses
I am actively licensed in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Nevada.
I am also licensed to practice Telehealth in PSYPACT participating states. Click on the link https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap for a list of PSYPACT states.
Professional affiliation
Wisconsin Psychological Association.
Individual Psychotherapy
I utilize an existential-humanistic approach with a holistic focus to the individual. I believe that good therapy is one which encourages introspection, self-reflection, and assists an individual with increasing self-awareness, self-knowledge, and opportunities for choice where they once felt frustrated, stuck, and hopeless.
While paying attention to improving symptoms, I work with you to try to gain an understanding of how you self construct and make meaning in light of these symptoms, and how you relate to others and the world as a result. What are the protective patterns that have formed along the way which once aided your survival and coping, but held rigidly, pose barriers for self-growth?
Therapy can also address how we navigate our human condition and the givens of our existence namely freedom, isolation, identity, meaninglessness, and death. These are questions that you and I as fellow travelers on this journey of life grapple with. Do I go with the flow or make decisions independent of what others think I should do? How do I shoulder the responsibility of doing so? What do I do when my life is at a standstill? How do I relate with others and yet maintain my sense of self? How do I live knowing that all this ends? Will I truly be known by another?
My care philosophy is to create a person-centered therapy tailored to each individual’s unique needs and clinical presentation, utilizing an empathic and non judgmental approach which fosters a therapeutic relationship supporting change and growth.
Specialities
Adults with:
Anxiety and Depression
Interpersonal issues
Grief and loss
Role transitions and stage of life issues
Issues of acculturation/racial and cultural diversity
Historical and cultural trauma
Women’s issues
“theRe is nobody who totally lacks the courage to change.”
~Rollo May
I provide psychological evaluations which can assist with:
Identifying mental health diagnoses, clarifying diagnoses, and providing recommendations for treatment or creating a treatment plan for therapy.
Assessing for an individual’s strengths and areas for growth and making accommodations for school or employment settings.
Addressing factors which contribute to an individual’s symptoms and help explain how they might experience a potential situation or behave in certain situations.
These evaluations involve an interview, self-report measures, and the administration of psychological tests (cognitive, personality, and emotional). The tests administered and the length of these appointments depend on the purpose of the evaluation and the referral question. All the tests and measures are scored, interpreted, and a report is completed within 2-4 weeks.
A feedback session is scheduled during which the results, diagnosis (if applicable) and recommendations are discussed.
Some of the evaluations I provide include:
Immigration Psych Evaluations
Veteran Disability Evaluations
Guardianship Assessments
Child custody and DHS
Career/Employment/Work
Clarifying Mental Health Diagnoses
Psychological Evaluations
Couples Therapy
My lens in working with couples is grounded in attachment theory focusing on the emotional interplay between partners. The goal is an increased sense of connection and a more secure bond for couples. Duration of sessions are 55 mins, for 8-20 sessions.
Couples who may benefit from this type of approach include those struggling with:
Role change or loss
Issues of infidelity
Physical or mental health issues in a partner
Relationship dissatisfaction
Poor communication
Early years of marriage
Immigration Evaluations
I also specialize in psychological evaluations for immigration proceedings. I maintain communication with your attorney to ensure that the specifics of your immigration case are properly addressed.
An evaluation involves an interview and administration of psychological questionnaires. The interview gathers information on your personal history and experiences related to your immigration case. The psychological questionnaires assess for current symptoms and problems which in addition to the information provided in the interview, assist with making a clinical diagnosis.
The duration for an evaluation is typically 3-4 hours depending on the nature of the case. These evaluations can be conducted in person (in the Madison WI area) or via Telehealth (HIPAA compliant video conferencing software). Here is the link for states I provide Telehealth evals in: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap
In some cases, the use of an interpreter can be valuable towards ensuring that I am adequately capturing all the necessary information towards completing a psychological report. If an interpreter is required, I can make arrangements for one and notify you of their fees. Payment is due in full before the appointment.
Reports are sent to you or your attorney within 2 weeks. Prior to the evaluation, an informed consent detailing more about the evaluation process, your rights, and release of information will be sent to you to review and sign. It is necessary that you complete and return this form as no service can begin without this signed document.
The evaluations I can assist with include:
Hardship waivers
Cancellation of Removal (adults and children)
Violence against Women Act (VAWA)
U Visa
T Visa
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Asylum/Withholding of Removal/Convention Against Torture
Corporate Consultations
A great deal of our waking hours are spent working, preparing for work, or recharging from work. This significant part of our day and how we identify can bring up issues which are experienced individually and as part of a collective. I provide psychoeducation, webinars, trainings, and workshops for companies/businesses/agencies and their employees in navigating these concerns. Some of the topics include but are not limited to:
Stress management
Burnout
Work-life balance
Issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
Navigating remote work
Navigating imposter syndrome
Improving interpersonal dynamics in the workplace
Navigating shifts in organizational culture
FAQs
-
Yes I do. I offer in person appointments in Madison. I offer Telehealth appts for all of Wisconsin, Indiana, Nevada and PSYPACT participating states. All Telehealth sessions are conducted via a HIPAA compliant video conferencing software.
List of PSYPACT participating states can be found at: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap
-
Self pay, Quartz insurance.
Acceptable forms of payment are major credit cards, FSA, and HSA. Payment is due at each session.
If your insurance allows for out of network benefits, I can provide you with a superbill in order for you to be reimbursed by your insurance.
Free 15 minute consultation
**You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected charges for psychotherapy services. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For more questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or how to dispute a bill visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
-
Cancellations made with more than a 24 hour notice will not be charged a cancellation fee. No shows and cancellations made within the 24 hour window, will be charged a fee of $50.
-
To make an appointment you can complete the contact form on the website or call 608-688-6486.
