<![CDATA[WADC - Blog]]>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:45:59 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Conversion therapy should stay banned]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:28:45 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/conversion-therapy-should-stay-bannedPicture
Today, the Supreme Court struck down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy — a ruling that has serious implications for the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth and adults across the country. This decision will set a precedent which could affect 20 other states which have such a ban, including Wisconsin.  As an ally, as a family member, as a friend, and as a clinician I feel it is my duty to speak out regarding this serious development.

Conversion therapy is not therapy. It is not evidence‑based. It is not ethical. It isn't backed or endorsed by any serious professional organization.  And it has no place in modern clinical practice.

Every major professional organization has condemned conversion therapy for causing harm to clients.  This includes my own professional organization, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), but also the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics. The harm I refer to is not “potential harm," nor “theoretical harm.” It is documented, measurable, and lasting harm.

So when a ban on this practice is overturned, it isn’t a just a legal decision.  It increases risk of harm to vulnerable people, in this case LGBTQ youth in particular.  These individuals will be exposed to practices which are known to increase depression, anxiety, shame, and suicidality.  The worst thing is that often parents of these individuals believe that these practices are okay because otherwise, "why would the government let it happen?"

As a clinician and ally, I cannot stay silent about that.

At our clinic, we affirm the identities of LGBTQ clients. We support them in building lives that feel authentic, safe, and grounded in self‑acceptance. And we believe that therapy should never be used as a tool to coerce someone into denying who they are.

This ruling does not change our values. It does not change our standards of care. And it does not change our commitment to providing safe, affirming, evidence‑based treatment.  If anything, it strengthens our resolve.

To our LGBTQ brethren out there reading this: You deserve care that honors your identity, protects your well-being, and supports your growth.  You deserve therapy that helps you to live your best life, not therapy that tries to change who you are.

As for myself, I will continue to stand with you, advocate for you, and provide the kind of care that aligns with both the science of psychotherapy and with the ethics of my profession.  I cannot speak for my colleagues, but I feel like they would agree.  And I feel confident to say that most in my profession would also agree.

If you or someone you love is looking for affirming mental health support, our team is here. You are welcome here. You are safe here. And you will never be asked to change who you are in order to receive care.
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— Andrew S. Bailey, LCSW Founder & Clinical Director Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic
]]><![CDATA[“AI Therapy Is Everywhere—But Is It Safe for Kids?”]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:43:22 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/ai-therapy-is-everywhere-but-is-it-safe-for-kidsArtificial intelligence has become part of everyday life for many children and teens. They use it to help with homework, to look up information, and sometimes even to talk about their feelings when they’re bored, lonely, or stressed. As a child and adolescent therapist, I understand why AI feels so appealing: it’s always available, it responds instantly, and it never gets tired or distracted.
But as AI tools become more common, especially those designed to act like “companions” or “therapists,” it’s important for parents to understand both the benefits and the risks—because the truth is, kids are turning to these tools more than we realize.

Why kids are drawn to AI “therapy”AI chatbots are designed to be friendly, validating, and endlessly patient. For a child who feels anxious or overwhelmed, that can feel comforting. Many kids say it’s easier to talk to a chatbot than to another person. There’s no fear of judgment, no awkwardness, and no need to wait for an appointment.
But this is also where the danger begins.

Where AI falls short:  AI can sound supportive, but it doesn’t understand context, nuance, or safety the way a trained human does. It can’t recognize warning signs, challenge harmful thinking, or intervene when a child is in crisis. And because these systems are designed to be agreeable, they sometimes reinforce negative thoughts instead of helping kids work through them.
There have already been real‑world cases where chatbots gave unsafe advice or encouraged harmful behavior. These situations are rare, but they highlight a simple truth: AI is not a therapist, and it cannot replace the judgment, training, or responsibility of a human clinician.

What this means for families:  AI can be a helpful tool when used responsibly—kids might use it to brainstorm ideas, get homework help, or explore their interests. But when it comes to emotional support, children need real human connection. They need adults who can listen, guide, and respond with care and accountability.
If your child is turning to AI for emotional support, it’s not a sign of failure—it’s a sign that they’re looking for a safe place to talk. That’s something we can build together.

How therapy can help:  In therapy, children learn skills that AI simply can’t teach:
  • Understanding and naming emotions
  • Challenging unhelpful thoughts
  • Building coping strategies
  • Strengthening communication and social skills
  • Feeling connected to a real, caring adult
These are the foundations of emotional resilience—and they come from human relationships, not algorithms.

A path forward:  AI isn’t going away, and it doesn’t have to be the enemy. But kids need guidance, boundaries, and safe alternatives. If you’re concerned about how your child is using AI—or if they seem anxious, overwhelmed, or withdrawn—support is available.
We work with children and families to help them build confidence, emotional awareness, and healthy coping skills in a warm, collaborative environment. If you’d like to learn more or explore whether therapy might be a good fit for your child, I’m here to help.

Author's note:  This IS an AI summary, ironically, of a much larger post which I wrote myself for the National Association of Social Workers.  It has been written in a style that would make sense for a "non-therapist" audience.  It can be found in their Newsletter "The Wisconsin Social Worker" Fall 2025 edition.  Send me an email if you'd like a copy.]]><![CDATA[Call 988 for crisis]]>Tue, 19 Jul 2022 23:29:45 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/call-988-for-crisisRecently I heard there was a new service being launched by the US government called the "988 suicide and crisis lifeline."  I get emails about this king of thing all the time, but I have to admit I was intrigued by this one. 
One thing that I hope results from this change is an improvement in crisis response services.  Prior to 988 your mileage could vary substantially when calling your county crisis hotline.  This was the primary way to get help before this hotline, and almost always involved law enforcement.  I've spoken directly with a number of law enforcement officers, and I can say that based on what I've heard many of these individuals have little or no training in managing mental health crises.  What's more, the culture of many departments around mental health can be very toxic.  So, when I heard that this will replace these county crisis lines, I became hopeful that it would change and improve the response to acute mental health crises.  Although, as with many things, time will tell.
A gripe I've had with the previous national suicide hotline was that it was so difficult to remember.  When people are in acute crisis, often times they are not able to think straight, many in depression will experience brain fog and not be able to remember things.  I have to give credit to Logic (and Alessia Carter and DJ Khalid) for his song 1-800-273-8255 trying to promote the previous hotline, and maybe trying to make the number more memorable...but this is a much better solution.  988 is as easy to remember as 911, so hopefully this will increase service utilization by those in crisis.  
Pictured here:  a woman wonders why it took so long to simplify the suicide & crisis phone number.
With their news release the FCC has provided a number of pre-made social media posts.  After reading these, I decided to extract the useful bits of information and pass them along to you through a convenient (and single) post.

​The useful bits:
  • The hotline went live on July 16th of this year
  • The hotline is staffed by professional mental health counselors, in addition to volunteers whose job is to triage. 
  • The purpose of the hotline is expanded to anyone in acute crisis, not just suicide.  This includes substance-related crises such as overdoses.
  • The hotline is still looking for volunteers and hiring professional employees.  
  • Job listings can be found at go.usa.gov/xJQvP
  • If you want any of their materials you can find them at https://go.usa.gov/xSZGJ
  • Those looking for help are able to send texts, chat online, or speak live with professionals 24-7.  ​

So, please spread the word about this new service.  Tell your friends and family, your Twitter following, whatever.  And next time you're in a personal crisis, call 988.
]]><![CDATA[Welcome Holly!]]>Mon, 14 Feb 2022 00:31:36 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/welcome-holly

​Today we welcome Holly Numan to the team officially. Holly has been working as an intern at WADC for a year, but Holly and I go back a couple years to when we both worked at Rogers Memorial Hospital together.

I hired Holly because I've had the chance to work with her and feel it is a great choice for the clinic. Any employer in my field would (should) count him/herself lucky to snatch up such a quality clinician. Throughout her internship with our organization, Holly showed excellent capacity for decision making in difficult situations. She doesn't shy away from constructive criticism, as she is always working toward improving herself and her practice. She has shown commitment to ethics, and to the well-being of her clients above other considerations. Holly is a great choice for this clinic, and if you choose to give her a try I'm sure you'll find she's a great choice for you (or your family) as well.

We'd like to take this chance to thank to Holly for sticking with us and sharing her skills with our little clinic.  


~Andrew, and the WADC team
If you think Holly is a good choice for yourself or your family, call or email her today!  If you'd like to get to know a little more about her first, check out her profile here.
]]><![CDATA[Treat Your Self Inside and Out]]>Sun, 01 Aug 2021 14:52:06 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/treat-your-self-inside-and-outBy Holly Numan Picture
           Everywhere you go, you hear someone say something like “treat yourself” “you deserve this” and “you have to take of yourself too.” As I’m typing this out now, the radio just told me go ahead and treat myself. Most of the time this refers to buying a new dress, ordering a decadent dessert, or going on vacation. There is nothing wrong with giving yourself something that you really want, or you do deserve, but  are there other ways to practice self-care?
         Going to grad school, one thing that I hear in almost every class is the concept of self-care. Between the tests, the papers, the presentations, there is always an underlying message about making time for yourself and engage in self-care activities. Most of the time, it is referred to having a relaxing period, however you relax, but it is never thought of as doing things for yourself that you may truly need help with.
          In my last post, I talked about how minds are like gardens, and they need to be cared for the in the same way. All the self-care time and relaxing will be for naught if there are underlying issues that need to be address. Can you enjoy buying that new dress, even though you deserve it, when you are worried about things at home? Can you book that vacation without getting anxious that you may be forgetting an important step along the way, that ultimately holds you back now from even going?
         Self-care does include all the things previously mentioned, but it also refers to taking care of your mental health. Think of why it feels good to eat that amazing chocolate cake or buy that super cute outfit you’ve been eyeing up for weeks. You are rewarding yourself with things, which makes you feel good inside for a little bit. You then find yourself buying more outfits, things for the home you don’t need, or eating that chocolate cake every day to feel those feel-good feelings. But think of how good it would feel to, instead of buying or eating something all the time, you got to unpack, and unload worries that have been plaguing you for years. Maybe working out some problems that you never knew could be worked out or just having someone listen to you without telling you, you’re fine or to get over it. And once the mind is cared for more, you can enjoy that vacation, treat to its full potential and soak it all in.
          Self-care of the mind starts with mental health. Whether you struggle with anxious thoughts, depressive moods, addictions to substances that you use to force the good feelings, WADC can help. At WADC, we help you treat your mind for longer lasting results. Instead of one new outfit for self-care, getting treatment for your mental heath will feel like getting a whole new wardrobe. Call or email WADC to take your first step in treating yourself, inside and out. 
]]><![CDATA[Minds are like gardens, sometimes you find some weeds]]>Thu, 17 Jun 2021 02:47:56 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/minds-are-like-gardens-sometimes-you-find-some-weedsBy Holly Numan Picture
​          Like a garden, our minds need work, care, and attention. When weeds begin to grow and take over, we dig them up or apply weed killer. When bad thoughts, anxious or depressing, grow in our minds, we can take a similar approach and address them with the proper tools. Weed killer for an anxious worry could be some thought challenging to help bring anxiety down. Digging out the weeds of depression could mean working on your self-care routines and incorporating enjoyable activities to change how we feel.
          Gardens can also be frustrating and not cooperate with what we are trying to do. The arugula you had plans for may wilt or get eaten by a cute woodland creature. You have to decide either to cry and get mad about it or to accept that maybe this year was not the year for arugula to grow. Same goes for events that happen in our lives; we have the choice to get upset and let it ruin everything, or we can accept what happens and try to move on from it.
          When you decide to plant a garden, a lot of planning is involved. You have to decide where your going to set it, what you want to grow, and how much time you’re going to give it care and attention. Are you going to have flower garden, to attract butterflies maybe? Or are you planning on growing food to eat fresh when you want?
          But the first step to any garden is going to the store to get your supplies, and for our minds, that first step could be seeking help. By reaching out for our mental health needs, we are gathering the tools to cultivate our minds to grow in healthy ways, like a garden having the right supplies to succeed. The Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic can help you gather the supplies and tools you need to tend your mind’s garden, weed killer and all. Give us a call or drop an email today. 


​For the more ideas and articles on how to tend your garden mindfully, read The Mind is a Garden ― What are you Planting? (seekerproject4se.org), 10 Mental Health Benefits of Gardening | Psychology Today, and Garden Your Mind | Little Green Thumbs. 

                 
]]><![CDATA[They didn't ask for this either]]>Thu, 20 May 2021 15:12:18 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/they-didnt-ask-for-this-either
By: Holly Numan

                The pandemic and current ups and downs of COVID cases have been trying for all. Some have had to rearrange their whole lives to be able to work from home. Others have had to switch to screens to interact with friends and families instead of get-togethers in person. Teachers had to change all their plans to fit distance learning. But what impact did this have on the kids being taken in-and-out of schools over the past year or so? Adults opinions were taken into account, but we were not the only ones making big changes.
                At first, when they were ordered to stay at home, it seemed like they were on an early vacation. What kid doesn’t love weekends and time away from a classroom? But when they learned they would be attending school virtually, many were not sure. I, myself, am an online student for my graduate degree, but I am also an adult and chose this program for myself. Our children didn’t have a choice in how they had to learn. They had to adapt to fast changes, imperfect standards, and technology that they may not have encountered before. Talking with friends on X-box while playing Among Us or Minecraft is very different to answering math problems or trying to get the teacher’s help when needed through a screen.
​
                Currently, we are unsure of how this will affect children down the road. Having to wear masks, not being able to play normal recess games or even on playgrounds without extensive cleaning, having to “stay away” from others and give space may be bringing up more issues with anxiety, grieving over the loss of being around playmates, or even trauma. If you think your child is experiencing any negative effects from the pandemic it may be helpful for them to talk to someone.  Call or Email Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic today for that chance to talk.
               

For full article on how the pandemic may be affecting children and adolescents: 
https://ct.counseling.org/2021/04/feeling-the-strain-the-effects-of-covid-19-on-children-and-adolescents/ 
]]><![CDATA[Learning to be social again]]>Thu, 13 May 2021 18:23:28 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/may-13th-2021
Photo by Nandhu Kumar
By:  Holly Numan
​            Over a year ago, we were told to stay indoors, mask up, and avoid others not directly in the home. We started pursing new, independent hobbies; we cleaned, we baked, and some of us even learned new things we thought we never had time for. I myself started gardening on my patio to pass the time. But with this forced isolation, we’ve been going out less, having less opportunities to talk with others, and having to figure out ways to reach out using technology.  
​
            For someone who thrives on social interactions, this change was hard. I, for one, look forward to the world opening back up where I can talk with others not through a screen. But for some, going back outside one’s safe space can be hard, almost frightening to even think about. High levels of anxiety can hinder social interactions and having the perfect excuse to avoid all those things you found frightening and horrible was great for a while. But now with things beginning to return to a version of normal, you may find yourself still stuck behind a screen, stuck indoors, or stuck making new excuses as to why you cannot come out and engage in the world.  
            For those out of socializing practice, jumping back in could take some time, but is not all lost. One thing you could start out with is using the pandemic to connect with others. Use your new hobbies as a way to chat with others and begin a dialogue from there. But if you’re still terrified of what’s out there beyond the safety of your front door, seeking out the proper help can be beneficial.  
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            If you’re one who would rather the pandemic and quarantines continue just for that perfect excuse to avoid, you may have social anxiety and we can help at the Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic. Contact us today for information or set up an appointment to take that first step into a new world.  
 
​
For the full article on ways to interact again:
Don’t Worry, You Can Learn to Talk to People Again - The New York Times (nytimes.com) ​
]]><![CDATA[Combined Roles during the pandemic and how you can take care of yourself]]>Sun, 25 Apr 2021 17:07:28 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/combined-roles-during-the-pandemic-and-how-you-can-take-care-of-yourself
By: Holly Numan
            We can all agree that 2020 (and 2021 still) has thrown our lives and our version of what is normal for a loop. Those little breaks to be ourselves don’t happen and we look back and wish we hadn’t taken them for granted. For instance, when was the last time you blasted your favorite jam on the radio as soon as you dropped your kid off for school and headed to work? When was the last time you took a little extra care in your makeup routine before heading out with friends or loved ones? Being stuck at home in an uncertain world has many drawbacks, but what is it doing to your mental health?
            For those that live alone, like myself, I am looking for new ways to connect to others that takes more planning and a heavy reliance on technology. Others that are living with significant others, and children as well, could be feeling a different type of mental health drain.

            According to many licensed professional counselors, being able to separate the different roles we play can be difficult when work life, social life, and home life are now combined in one space. Many have had to juggle these different versions of themselves and try to keep the peace with everyone else under the same roof, also combining their roles. Kids used to have breaks such as recess with other children; now they have to rely on breaks with parents, assuming they can take time away from their work schedule to provide this break.

            Despite the stress this can cause in those parent and child relationships, there are different things that one can do. Taking turns engaging with kids, allowing the other parent to have some “me time” is just one possibility. Maybe you use this time to work on a project, with out interruption. Or maybe you use this time to reevaluate your priorities and what is needed for your own personal mental health.

            If you struggle with finding that space to destress and to take care of yourself, or you just don’t know how, Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic can help. Call or email today for an appointment today.
 
For the full article; Far away, so close: Negotiating relationships during COVID-19 - Counseling Today
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]]><![CDATA[Science proves dad jokes aren't harming your children's mental health]]>Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:10:07 GMThttps://www.wi-anxiety.com/blog/science-proves-dad-jokes-arent-harming-your-childrens-mental-health
By: Andrew S. Bailey
According to researchers at OSU, traditional male characteristics, when combined with nurturing, improve parenting performance.

Link to the full article here

As a therapist and father of two young boys, I know that we can combine the traits mentioned above. We can be fun, competetive, athletic, even (play) rough - and still be empathetic, validating, and kind. We don't have to sacrifice one for the other, because they are not opposites.

​If you're finding it challenging to balance these ideas, I can help. I've developed positive relationships with my boys, and taught them values that will serve them throughout life. No matter how old your children are, it's not too late for you to do the same. Call or email for an appointment today.
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