The start of a new school year brings new interns to Awen Therapy. This year Renee Kirch and Samuel Taubenheim from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater will be doing their clinical internships at Awen Therapy. That means you have the opportunity to receive quality therapy at no cost while helping Renee and Sam hone their skills.

Here is more about them –

RENEE KIRCH

Hi! My name is Renee and I’m very excited to begin my internship at Awen Therapy. Originally from Verona Wisconsin, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. I am still attending the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and currently in the process of completing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in trauma.

I have always held a passion for working with others and I strive to help individuals be the best versions of themselves. My wish is to create an open and safe environment for my clients to express themselves and address any concerns they may have. I value diversity and hope to work with a diverse population of individuals, couples, and groups. It is my goal to empower clients to overcome personal obstacles that may be influencing various aspects of their lives including, but not limited to, life challenges, personal trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship/partner related issues, and body image concerns. As a counselor in training, I believe strongly in the importance of multicultural competence and I aim to create a sex-positive counseling environment for my clients.

I would describe my counseling style as being collaborative and integrative, as I believe that borrowing from different approaches can help create a trusting and successful counseling relationship. Understanding that each individual has different needs, my counseling approach is strongly client-centered, but includes elements of experiential, solutions-focused, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Whatever your needs may be, I will work with you to assist in building and gaining the skills necessary to promote the desired change and improve your overall well-being.

To schedule an appointment, feel free to call me at 608-301- 5417, or email me at reneekirch.counseling@gmail.com. I look forward to working with you!

SAM TAUBENHEIM

My name is Sam Taubenheim and I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Carroll University and am currently completing my master’s degree in counseling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  I bring experience working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression as well as experience working in a residential setting with people with a range of diagnoses.  I have co-facilitated groups centered on identity and the loss of religious faith.

My philosophy of counseling is to work collaboratively with the client to tell and enhance their own life journey.  Clients are experts at their own lives and I seek to provide a safe and compassionate place for that story to be told and shaped.  My perspective draws from family systems as we do not live our lives in isolation.  I embrace providing a positive space for all clients regardless of cultural and ethnic background or sexual orientation as well as working as a sex positive therapist.

To make an appointment, call Sam at 608-520-0328 or email taubenheimcounseling@gmail.com.​