Licensed to practice in Wisconsin and accepts 40 insurances. Specializes in Addiction and 1 more.
Megan N. McDermott
About me
Hi I’m Meg, a licensed clinical social worker in Wisconsin. I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life transitions and personal challenges. My professional approach centers on helping clients navigate relationships, addiction recovery, family dynamics, and personal growth. I'm deeply committed to creating a compassionate, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for healing. My expertise spans a range of sensitive and meaningful areas, including supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence, relational trauma, addiction recovery, and major life transitions such as pregnancy, divorce, and family restructuring. I have extensive experience working with teens and their parents and I’m especially passionate about working with those navigating discrimination, exploring identity—particularly around being biracial or multicultural—and embracing neurodiversity. My goal is to help each person find healing, confidence, and a stronger sense of self within their unique story. I believe in a holistic, client-centered approach that honors each person's journey. By combining empathy with evidence-based therapeutic techniques, I aim to empower clients to cultivate self-love, resilience, and authentic connection in their lives.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, you can expect a warm, supportive space where we get to know each other and explore what brings you to therapy. I’ll ask about your experiences, goals, and what feels most important for you right now. My approach is calm, compassionate, and client‑centered, helping you feel safe as we begin building a plan that fits your needs. By the end of our first meeting, you’ll have a clear sense of how we can work together toward healing, growth, and meaningful change.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of the biggest strengths I bring to sessions is that I show up as a real, equal human being. I don’t use too much clinical jargon or pretend to have everything perfectly figured out. I’m grounded, honest, and fully present with the people I work with. Clients of all ages often tell me they appreciate my authenticity, and that makes it easier for them to be authentic too. When people feel safe, seen, and not judged, real change becomes possible. My authenticity comes from the life I’ve lived. I’ve been through tough seasons, so when someone talks about feeling overwhelmed or carrying too much, I understand it both professionally and personally. I won’t claim to have all the answers, but I do know what it’s like to rebuild yourself while still in the middle of the mess. My goal is to grow with you, to meet you where you are, walk alongside you, and support the changes you’re ready to make as your story continues to unfold.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is someone—teen or adult—who is open to growing, even if they’re not sure where to start. They may be navigating big life transitions, relationship challenges, identity exploration, trauma, or the weight of feeling overwhelmed. They’re reflective, curious, and willing to show up honestly, even when things feel messy. They value a therapist who is authentic, grounded, and collaborative, and they’re looking for a space where they can feel seen without judgment. Most importantly, they’re ready to work toward healing, confidence, and a stronger sense of self, and they want a therapist who will grow with them along the way.
Specialties
Top specialties
Addiction
Other specialties
Trauma and PTSD
Identifies as
White
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Children (6 to 12)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
Wisconsin
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
AvMed
Cash - $125 per session
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
HealthPartners
Medica
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have extensive training and experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and it remains one of the core evidence‑based approaches I draw from in my clinical work. Over the years, I’ve used CBT with individuals and families across settings, including schools, residential programs, and community-based services, which has given me a deep appreciation for how flexible and empowering this method can be. CBT is rooted in the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. When people feel stuck, overwhelmed, or reactive, it’s often because certain patterns have become automatic. In my practice, I use CBT to help clients slow down those patterns, understand what’s driving them, and build new, healthier ways of responding.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and I regularly integrate DBT principles and skills into my clinical work. My experience using DBT across school settings, residential programs, and community-based services has shown me how powerful this approach can be for clients who struggle with emotional intensity, relationship patterns, or feeling “stuck” between what they feel and what they want. DBT is grounded in the balance between acceptance and change, helping clients honor their lived experiences while also building the skills to move toward the life they want. I find this framework especially supportive for individuals navigating trauma responses, chronic stress, or patterns that feel hard to interrupt.
Attachment-based
I have extensive experience using Attachment‑Based Family Therapy (ABFT), and it aligns closely with my core clinical values - healing through connection, strengthening family systems, and restoring a sense of safety in relationships. My work across schools, residential programs, and community-based settings has shown me how profoundly attachment injuries shape emotional and behavioral patterns, and how powerful it can be when families learn to repair those ruptures together. ABFT provides a structured, evidence‑based framework for helping families rebuild trust, increase emotional openness, and create more secure patterns of relating. I find this approach especially meaningful for youth and adults navigating trauma histories, conflictual family dynamics, or experiences of disconnection that continue to impact their mental health.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma‑Informed Care is foundational to the way I practice. With over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families across schools, residential programs, community-based services, and clinical settings, I’ve seen firsthand how trauma—both acute and chronic—shapes a person’s emotional world, relationships, and sense of safety. My work is grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel seen, respected, and empowered. Trauma‑Informed Care is not a single intervention; it’s a lens, a stance, and a commitment to honoring the whole person. It guides how I build relationships, structure sessions, and support clients in reclaiming agency and resilience.