Introducing Wendi-Martell-Daniels, LCSW, SAC

Hello

Thank you for choosing to read about me and the steps that led to creating this ministry of Visions Counseling. I recognize that the problems in my past and not knowing how to cope with them became opportunities for healing and health. I feel blessed by God to have had, and still connect with, counselors, mentors, and teachers who provide insight and encouragement. I celebrate that you are seeking support.

My history is one of trauma, depression, and addiction. Early on, I realized there was potential to learn and to overcome. As a junior in high school, I felt called to pursue a career related to psychology. After high school, I got a job at a factory just to earn money. A back injury persuaded me to enroll in college with thoughts of becoming a psychologist. Preferring to focus on humans rather than lab rats, I changed my major to teaching special education students who had emotional and behavioral disabilities. I considered this to be "applied psychology."

I began college at UW Marathon Center in Wausau fearful of failure and studied fiercely to overcome it. With achievements in honors classes and a very high grade point average, the faculty rewarded me with the academic award for excellence. I received a scholarship to attend UW Madison; my link to a wider recovery circle and new perspectives on diversity, acceptance, and human potential. My undergraduate program in the School of Education at UW-Madison was a time of connection. I sought out and accepted support for healing my family of origin issues, eating disorder, and depression.

Returning to the Wausau area, I landed a job in the school district. What logically seemed like stability and the start of a great teaching career ended quickly. My bent toward therapy shone through with my special education students, a mismatch for that initial job. A second teaching position at Menominee Indian High School validated my desire to influence lives through counseling rather than academics. I heard (from my counselor) that a Master’s Degree in Social Work was how to become a therapist.

I quit my teaching job to return to college. I argued with God about attending school in Milwaukee, rather than familiar Madison. But Milwaukee had the Social Work program most highly recognized. It proved to be my link to progressive training in the solution focus, recovery from alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, and trauma issues.

My social work classes, recovery meetings, and wellness sessions strengthened me. I met a variety of natural health professionals, learned about herbal medicine, the East Indian ways of Ayurveda, options for discovery and empowerment support, and Nia dance and movement therapy. Since that time, I have studied the neurobiology of addiction and the neurochemistry of overcoming depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Now, my perspective is wholistic, integrated, and includes an understanding of the value of nutrition, supplements, exercise, sleep, and aromatherapy.

It is fascinating to me how that initial call to psychology unfolded into many varieties of “applied psychology.” The practices of Unconditional Love and Forgiveness, Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing for resolving trauma, movement therapy, 16 Step discovery and empowerment, and Equine Assisted psychotherapy are novel, and effective. I invite you to explore any of the options I offer that call to you. I welcome you to grow through new insights and encouragement that is useful and spiritually uplifting.

Wendi J. Martell-Daniels, MSW, CADC, Certified Tauma Counselor

Employment History

February 2000 to present -Visions Counseling: Counselor, therapist, primarily using the Solution-Focused approach, facilitator of Imagery Reprocessing and Rescripting Therapy, and guide for the steps of Unconditional Love and Forgiveness. Certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in June, 2011. Administrator/agent of Visions board.

October 2003 to present - Nia Instructor- Level 1, white belt April 2004. Completed Blue, Green, and Brown Belt intensives in Portland, OR.. Teach body, mind, emotion, spirit Fusion Fitness, inclusive of all ability levels. Classes and individual therapy. Offer body-centered psychotherapy perspectives of the Addictive Spiral and Moving Cycle.

July 1999 to July 2010 - Aspirus Wausau Hospital Behavioral Health

November 1998 to December 2000 - St. Mary's Hospital, Rhinelander Interview patients for psychosocial assessments. Coordinate discharge planning. Facilitate individual, group, and family therapy. Incorporate nutrition, wellness, and Nia dance with supportive resources for patient's wholistic wellbeing.

October 2002 to July 2005 - Northcentral Technical College- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Abuse Prevention Coordinator; Facilitated Grant Program to serve students and staff at NTC; Gave presentations, constructed table displays, scheduled speakers, coordinated health and wellness fairs on campus. Led groups and provided individual assessment and counseling for ATODA and issues related to wellbeing.

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Social Welfare
• Fall 1996 to Summer 1998. Master’s Program in Social Work; Applied Practice Mental Health and Addictive Behaviors Curriculum. Spring 1997 School of Social Welfare Alumni Scholarship; GPA 3.8


• University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education
• Fall 1990- Spring 1993, 1992-1993 Outstanding Student of the Year in Special Education; GPA 4.0


• University of Wisconsin-Marathon Center
• Fall 1987- Spring 1990 The Faculty’s Award for Academic Excellence


• Northcentral Technical College, Wausau, WI
• Fall 1982 to Spring 1984 Associate Degree in Business


• Merrill High School Graduate, Merrill, WI Spring, 1982

Certification

• Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC)
• Certified Trauma Counselor
• Nia Brown Belt Level Instructor
• Special Education: Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities Grades 6-12. Wisconsin Five Year License, May 1993-1998, Code 830