LGBT therapists in Appleton, WI

When people aren't sleeping well, almost everything else becomes harder to manage.

Stress feels heavier. Emotions feel bigger. Relationships become more challenging. Even the coping skills that normally work can start to fall apart.

I'm Dr. Emanuel Sánchez-Santiago, a bilingual Clinical Psychologist providing therapy in both English and Spanish. I specialize in helping adults navigate insomnia and sleep difficulties, trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, grief, major life transitions, and the emotional impact of chronic stress. I also have extensive experience supporting veterans, LGBTQIA+ individuals, survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma, and people adjusting to significant changes in health, identity, or relationships.

Many of my clients come to therapy feeling exhausted—physically, emotionally, or both. Together, we work to understand what's keeping them stuck and build a path toward greater stability, resilience, and well-being.

If you've been holding a lot together on the outside while struggling on the inside, you're in the right place! Our work is collaborative and forward focused. With over ten years of experience providing therapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings, I have worked with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and across the lifespan. I am here to help you explore your inner world and reclaim clarity and purpose. I take a strengths-based approach, incorporating tools like mindfulness, grounding, and the creative outlets that resonate with you, with a strong emphasis on whole-person self-care--mind, body, and spirit.

Hi, I'm Alex! My path into this work began in early childhood development, where I learned just how much our earliest relationships and experiences shape the way we move through the world as adults. That foundation still informs everything I do; I'm endlessly curious about the "why" behind how we feel and behave, and I hold that curiosity with warmth and zero judgment.

Outside of my practice you'll usually find me behind a camera. Photography taught me to slow down and pay attention to small, beautiful details, and to appreciate that the same scene can look completely different depending on where you're standing (a lesson that I find turns out to be pretty useful in therapy as well). I love being out in nature whenever I can and at home I share my space with a cuddly cat who supervises most of my day.

I am a Mental Health Counselor, licensed in NY, MA, NJ, NH, RI, KS, UT, WI, IN, AR, and OR, with over 20 years experience in the counseling field. I have had experience assisting clients with a wide range of concerns, such as, parenting issues, family/personal relationships, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, and anger management.

My practice is centered on helping you cultivate self-acceptance and find practical ways to live a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or new coping skills, my goal is to help you feel seen and empowered to make meaningful change. Using a person-centered approach, we’ll work together to tailor your therapeutic experience with evidence-based tools that support your personal goals. I work with individuals, couples, and families on a wide range of concerns, with special interests in non-traditional family building, women’s issues, family therapy, and supporting juvenile offenders.

I strive to provide a place of safety and security for those seeking emotional and mental wellness by building meaningful relationships with my clients. I enjoy working with trauma survivors while they find a new way of living with their past. I like to look at a person from a system perspective. What system (family or otherwise) did you grow up with? What does that look like now? What changes can you make in your system to create healthier boundaries and more meaningful relationships?

I help adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions so they can feel more confident, balanced, and connected to themselves. I also enjoy supporting individuals navigating cultural, identity, and multicultural concerns who want a space where they feel seen and understood. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or carrying more than you can manage on your own, therapy can help you gain clarity, build healthy coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I believe each person already has strengths, resilience, and the capacity for change. My role isn't to tell you who to be, but to work alongside you as we build on the tools you already have, develop new skills, and navigate life's challenges together. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel empowered to grow and move toward the life you want.

I graduated from UW-Stout in 2020 and had a crash course of therapy during the pandemic. This has allowed me to become a more empatheic and passionate therapist who works hard to support clients through all of life's changes. I specialize in couples and relational work, but also work with indiviudals who are looking to navigate grief, anxiety, life changes, and stress. I support and research women's health, fertility/infertility and treat perinatal mood disorders.