“Being fully human is not about feeling happy, it’s about feeling everything… Being human isn’t hard because you’re doing it wrong, it’s hard because you’re doing it right.”
Glennon Doyle, Untamed
Loss– whether of loved ones, roles, or dreams – often imparts a sense of being thrown out of the nest. It is common to feel shocked, overwhelmed, and hopeless when faced with major changes that alter the course of our lives.
The narratives about ourselves and our world help us construct and interpret experiences – however, they do not define who we are. I believe that when our present falls apart, there can still be beauty in the future, even if it’s different than what we envisioned. As your counselor, I can help you revise old narratives in ways that foster healing and growth. I utilize trust built within the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for safe self-exploration, and I take to heart the importance and healing nature of bearing witness to others without asking them to change, hide, or fix what they are feeling.
I offer individual therapy services to adults (ages 18+).
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Effie is a gentle and sensitive therapy dog who carries the resilience of her past while embracing the kindness of her present. Rescued from an abusive environment, she is a testament to both the lasting impact of trauma and the power of healing. Though initially timid due to her early experiences, her sweet and empathetic nature shines through, embodying the profound change that can come from safe, corrective relationships.
With her intuitive and deeply attuned nature, Effie picks up on subtle emotional cues that might otherwise go unnoticed. During therapy sessions, she provides comfort and support while alerting me to shifts in a client’s emotional state. Her keen sense of smell allows her to detect fluctuations in stress and anxiety through changes in body chemistry, helping her respond appropriately and offer reassurance when it’s needed most. By integrating animal-assisted therapy into traditional talk therapy, Effie creates an additional layer of connection—guiding interventions, fostering emotional awareness, teaching nervous system regulation, and encouraging deeper engagement in the therapeutic process.
Outside of work, Effie finds joy in cold weather, watching for squirrels and greeting her favorite neighbors. She also delights in hiking and, at home, lovingly nurtures temporary foster puppies, teaching them manners and how to “dog” with patience and care. Her resilience, warmth, and innate desire to connect beautifully complement my relational and attachment-focused approach to therapy. Effie’s journey of growth and healing is a powerful reminder that even the deepest wounds can lead to profound transformation.
AREAS OF INTEREST:
TRAUMA & CODEPENDENCY
I am a Certified Developmental and Relational Trauma (DART) Therapist; this means that I have completed extensive training in childhood and relational trauma. Born out of Post Induction Therapy, which was created by Pia Mellody (author, Facing Codependence), and later refined by Jan Bergstrom (author, Gifts from a Challenging Childhood) and Dr. Rick Butts, individuals learn how areas of unmanageability in their lives have manifested, and how to shift back into their Functional Adult selves.
I am also a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, which is a therapy that uses eye movements or other bilateral stimulations to help individuals heal from the symptoms of emotional distress caused by disturbing life experiences.
LGBTQIA+ ISSUES
I am a member of the the LGBTQIA+ community and my clinical experience with this demographic involves individual and couples work, group facilitation of LGBTQIA+ partner loss, and issues specific to individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community.
GRIEF & LOSS
I have a decade of experience working in the Madison area supporting individuals of all ages faced with grief, loss, and death. Whether you are bereaved suddenly or preparing for loss, I would be honored to accompany you in this process. I cannot do it for you, but you do not have to do it alone.
OTHER AREAS I TREAT:
- Relationship issues
- Trauma
- Codependency
- Life transitions
Mariah Wulff, LPC, DARTT
Licensed Professional Counselor
Master of Arts in Counseling and Family Therapy, Lakeland University