Kristine Merrill, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Worker

 

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Wisconsin. I received my master’s degree from Ohio State University in 1981.

 

My post graduate work has been quite varied, both in experience and location. Just out of graduate school and while still in Ohio, I began my professional career working with adolescents and their families in an alcohol and drug treatment program, as well as in the school systems. I also thoroughly enjoyed the diverse learning experiences and challenges I encountered while working at a rural mental health center as an outpatient clinical social worker. I then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where I worked at a hospital based eating disorders program, counseling groups and individuals on the many issues typically related to the very complex issue of eating disorders. Feeling like I finally had sufficiently varied work experiences under my belt, I decided that it was time to venture out on my own, starting my work as a private practitioner. Working in private practice has been my goal since graduate school, and it was wonderful to finally be practicing independently as I had dreamed of doing for so many years. The challenges of private practice were many, but the rewards of working with individuals, couples, and families in a private and confidential setting were tremendous. I found private practice to be the setting where individuals were most likely to open themselves up to addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, obsessive worries and fears, and relationship difficulties.I truly enjoyed all of the challenges that my clients brought to me; but I found that I enjoyed working with issues such as depression, anxieties, relationship issues, couples and step families ever so much.

 

I enjoyed this professional life and urban lifestyle for many years, until I felt the pull to come back to my Wisconsin roots. I very much practice what I preach to all my clients – CHANGE IS GOOD - as we strive to make our lives all that we want them to be, as our needs and wants in our lives change over time. For the past 14 years I have had the privilege of living and working in this most beautiful area, accompanied by my spouse, my step family, and my numerous family pets- all of which are the lights in my life.