Joseph Weidenbenner,
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA

Joe has actively counseled since 2003, and has received training in several areas including trauma, grief, anxiety and depression. Joe is a Wisconsin native. He earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. He continued at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia to earn his Community Counseling degree. Recently, Joe has been certified in “Brainspotting,” joining a select group of “Certified Brainspotters” across the country and in the State of Wisconsin.

Much of Joe’s experience comes from providing counseling at-risk youth with depression, anxiety, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, discipline issues, attention deficit disorder, family dysfunction, substance abuse and aggressive behaviors. He has further clinical experience working with adults, group therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy through Virginia’s DePaul Hospital geriatric day treatment program.

Joe works from a variety of approaches including Brainspotting, Imago Dialogue, Trauma Model, Cognitive-Behavioral, Play Therapy and Solution-focused Therapy, within a faith-based framework. Spiritual and faith concerns are incorporated into the therapy process as needed by the client.

“While counseling, I want you to go beyond tolerable recovery and receive long-term, sustainable peace.  I’m oriented to identifying traumatic events, allowing you to process and and then pursuing peace to overcome life’s challenges.”

Joe is also available to speak to groups on communication, marriage and family issues, self-care, and a variety of other topics. As a fun yet informative presenter, Joe has provided his mental health expertise to a number of government agencies and private companies.

At this stage in his life, Joe enjoys spending as much of his time as possible with his family. He also enjoys travelling, hiking, rock climbing, and canyoneering.

Where is Ascent Counseling Services located?

Based in Baraboo, Wisconsin, about 15 miles from Prairie du Sac and Wisconsin Dells, and about an hour from Madison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know if my insurance is accepted?

When you talk with us, we may know about your insurance, but we always encourage you to contact your insurance company ahead of time to verify coverage. Be sure to ask about preauthorization, deductibles and co-pays, as well as any limits. For more help, see Insurance Questions to Ask.

I can’t (or don’t want to) use my insurance? Can I pay out of pocket?

Yes.

What is the process to make an appointment?

Call the therapist and leave a message on their voicemail. They will return your call and talk with you briefly about your needs and schedule an assessment appointment with you at a time that works for both of you.

How long will I have to wait for an appointment?

Frequently we will have an appointment available within a week of your call, but sometimes you will have to wait a few weeks for availability.

How long does a session last?

A typical session is 50 minutes, but may last between 45 and 60 minutes.

Can I bring my young children to my appointment?

Yes, but you will want to minimize your distractions so you can get the most from your appointment.

Will you share with me what my teen is saying?

We will invite you into your teen’s session to hear from your teen about anything that is dangerous or highly concerning. We want to build their relationships with you while providing a safe place for them to share about their lives and concerns.

What if my spouse won’t come for marriage counseling?

We would encourage you to come on your own. Frequently once you do, your spouse will want to join you, but even if they don’t, we can coach you in ways to improve your relationship without his or her participation in counseling.

My friend referred me to see you. Will you share information with them?

Absolutely not. Everything that you share is confidential. We never discuss one client with another. “We can not confirm or deny someone is a client unless we have a written release of information.”

Will you testify in court on my behalf?

No. Our expertise is counseling. We are willing to write a letter listing your dates of service and summarizing your therapy goals if you request this. There is an additional charge for this service.

How do you use your Christianity in your counseling?

Our faith and beliefs inform who we are and what we do. We enjoy meeting with other followers of Jesus because there is the added strength of faith that we can draw upon and challenge with. We also have the privilege of praying for and with our believing clients.

I am not a religious person. Can I still be helped at your clinic?

Absolutely. We are professionals with knowledge and skills that are helpful in working through issues with all people. We also have all had experiences working successfully with clients in non-religious settings. And while we have strong personal beliefs, we never push these on our clients.

I can’t fill out the Therapy Appointment info online. What can I fill out instead?

Adult Form

Parent Form