Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Eau Claire, WI

The therapeutic process is one of endless discovery and self-empowerment. Seeking out help is a valiant first step in this personal journey to befriend yourself. Befriending yourself greatly opens the internal space to invite others in so that we might have fuller, richer, and more wholesome relationships with those we love and those we’ve yet to meet. If you seek to reconnect, or connect more deeply, with your inherent goodness, then please reach out. I am deeply excited by the prospect of being able to share this experience with you.

experienced counselor of over 20 years - master's degree from the University of Iowa - college instructor - midwestern upbringing - married to a professor and two adult kids.

My name is Kati Niekerk and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), based in Madison, Wisconsin. I view therapy as a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client. My aim is to help clients identify their values and goals, and then create a plan to help them get closer to those values and goals. I use CBT and mindfulness to help clients better understand themselves and their environments, and DBT to build the skills needed to live as the best versions of themselves.

Starting therapy takes courage, and I want you to know that you do not have to have everything figured out before reaching out. You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, anxious, discouraged, or simply tired of carrying everything on your own. Wherever you are in your process, my goal is to meet you there with warmth, curiosity, and respect.

I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, ADHD, grief, relationship challenges, substance use, eating concerns, stress, sleep difficulties, mood changes, and major life transitions. I believe that healing is not about becoming a different person. It is about reconnecting with yourself, understanding your patterns, and building the tools to move through life with more confidence, clarity, and self-compassion.

In our work together, you can expect a supportive space where you feel heard, encouraged, and gently challenged when needed. I bring both compassion and practical guidance to therapy, helping you better understand what is keeping you stuck while also creating realistic steps toward change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years working in the social work field helping families with life challenges. My professional background is working in child welfare, medical social work, veteran mental health and private practice. I am also certified in Trauma-Informed-Care and as a First Responder Counselor, allowing me to provide specialized support to individuals who have experienced trauma. I strive to create an environment where clients feel heard, respected and understood. While I provide compassion and support, I am also an active therapist who will challenge unhelpful patterns when necessary. I believe growth happens when we balance acceptance with accountability.

I believe when people find their purpose they find motivation. I am a neurodivergent therapist who understands others challenges and work at ensuring the client understands the why of what one does to foster behavioral changes.

I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2023, and I have had the privilege of working with a great variety of clients in an outpatient hospital setting over the last three years. Through a trauma informed and person-centered lens, I want to help clients explore concerns relating to shame, depression, anxiety, identity, and more.

I come to therapy with a background in education and theater, which has deeply shaped how I connect with people and understand the human experience. My work is rooted in helping individuals better define who they are, where they want to be, and what may be standing in the way of getting there.

I believe therapy is a collaborative process built on curiosity, honesty, and growth. Together, we’ll identify obstacles, explore patterns, and engage with challenges in a meaningful way until we find solutions that truly work for you. My goal is to provide a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

I'm currently accepting new clients. Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or in need of support? Together, we can address your mental health, challenges with work, school, or relationships. I help teens and adults make sense of their experiences, recognize their strengths, and develop coping strategies. Clients describe me as compassionate, nonjudgmental, and easy to talk to. I offer a supportive space to share, reflect, and heal. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, listening to music, exercising, and watching sports.

Feel free to give me a call and we can set up a free consultation or schedule a session. I look forward to working with you!

As a seasoned practitioner (since 2006) with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I have dedicated my career to mastering a diverse range of therapeutic modalities to better serve my clients.

My clinical practice is grounded in extensive training across several specialized frameworks, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Additionally, I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Hypnotherapy into my work, allowing for a highly tailored and comprehensive approach to psychological wellness.