Support for Legal and Other Professionals in Wausau, Wisconsin
When Success Comes with a Hidden Cost
You've built an impressive career in a demanding profession. You're skilled at what you do, respected by colleagues, and capable of handling complex challenges. But behind the professional competence, you might be struggling with anxiety about performance, depression despite outward success, or burnout from the relentless pace.
Perhaps you're questioning whether you're in the right role, struggling with work-life balance, or feeling stuck in your career progression. Maybe you're managing the pressures that come with high-stakes work whether that's legal practice, healthcare, consulting, finance, or executive leadership.
Here's what you need to know: Professional success and personal well-being don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Understanding the Unique Challenges of Professional Life
High-achieving professionals face distinct challenges that can impact both mental health and career satisfaction:
Mental Health Challenges:
Professional anxiety – worry about performance, client expectations, or making critical mistakes
Imposter syndrome – feeling like you don't deserve your success or will be "found out"
Depression – persistent sadness, emptiness, or loss of motivation despite professional achievements
Burnout – emotional exhaustion from prolonged exposure to demanding work environments
Perfectionism – setting impossibly high standards that create chronic stress and self-criticism
Career Development Challenges:
Feeling stuck – unclear about next career steps or how to advance
Work-life integration – struggling to maintain relationships and personal interests
Career transitions – considering major changes but unsure how to navigate them
Performance anxiety – fear of failure affecting presentations, negotiations, or leadership
Professional identity confusion – questioning whether your career aligns with your values
How Professional Stress Impacts Your Life
When professional demands consistently outweigh your resources to cope, the effects extend beyond work:
Anxiety symptoms like:
Constant worry about work performance or upcoming deadlines
Physical tension, sleep disruption, or difficulty concentrating
Avoidance of challenging assignments or leadership opportunities
Rumination about work issues during personal time
Depression symptoms like:
Feeling empty or disconnected despite professional success
Loss of enthusiasm for work that once excited you
Questioning the meaning and purpose of your career
Isolation from colleagues and personal relationships
Burnout symptoms like:
Chronic exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest
Cynicism about your profession or workplace
Reduced sense of personal accomplishment
Using work as the primary measure of self-worth
Two Complementary Approaches to Professional Support
At Sidebar Counseling, we offer both mental health counseling and executive coaching services specifically designed for legal professionals and other high-achieving individuals. Understanding which approach is right for you depends on your primary goals and current challenges.
Ready to explore professional support that understands your unique challenges? Call (715) 793-7188 or fill out this contact form to discuss which approach is best for your situation.
Mental Health Counseling with Matt Shin
When Therapy is Right for You
Individual therapy is appropriate when you're experiencing:
Persistent anxiety, depression, or burnout symptoms
Overwhelming stress that's affecting your daily functioning
Difficulty managing emotions or thoughts related to work
Mental health challenges that are impacting your relationships or personal life
Need for clinical support to address underlying psychological patterns
Matt's Background and Approach
As an attorney-turned-therapist, I understand the unique pressures of professional life from personal experience. After practicing intellectual property law in large firms and corporate environments, I transitioned to mental health care specifically to support other professionals facing similar challenges.
My therapeutic approach integrates:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – addressing thought patterns that contribute to professional stress
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – helping you align your career with your deeper values
Mindfulness strategies – developing present-moment awareness and emotional regulation
Solution-focused therapy – creating practical strategies for immediate challenges
What You Can Expect from Therapy
Through our work together, you can expect to:
Develop healthier relationships with work stress and pressure
Learn practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, or burnout
Gain insight into patterns that may be contributing to professional challenges
Build resilience for handling demanding professional environments
Create better boundaries between work and personal life
Process difficult emotions related to career disappointments or transitions
Sessions are available Monday-Friday, 7AM-5PM CST, both in-person in Wausau and virtually throughout Wisconsin. (Wisconsin residents only due to licensing requirements.)
Executive Coaching with Edward Shin
When Coaching is Right for You
Executive coaching is appropriate when you're focused on:
Career advancement and professional development goals
Skill-building for leadership, communication, or performance
Navigating career transitions or major professional decisions
Strategic planning for long-term career objectives
Improving workplace effectiveness and professional relationships
Edward's Background and Expertise
Edward Shin, J.D., serves as Chief Legal Officer for Clopay Corporation, a $1.6 billion international manufacturer. With over a decade of in-house leadership experience and prior practice at major Chicago law firms including Jenner & Block and Greenberg Traurig, Edward brings firsthand expertise in professional transitions and executive leadership.
Edward successfully transitioned from litigation practice to in-house counsel, eventually rising to general counsel positions. His coaching draws from real-world experience in navigating corporate environments, building legal departments, and advancing to executive leadership roles.
Edward's coaching draws from experience in:
Transitioning from law firm to in-house practice
Building and leading legal departments
Navigating corporate environments and executive leadership
Career development across various professional settings
Performance optimization and strategic career planning
What You Can Expect from Coaching
Through coaching with Edward, you can expect to:
Develop strategic career plans aligned with your professional goals
Build leadership and communication skills for greater effectiveness
Navigate complex career transitions with confidence
Improve performance in high-pressure professional situations
Create sustainable practices for long-term career success
Leverage networking and professional relationships more effectively
Virtual coaching sessions are available nationwide, with flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends to accommodate demanding professional schedules. (Edward is based in Cincinnati and serves clients throughout the United States.)
Special Focus: Support for Legal Professionals
Understanding the Legal Professional's Experience
Practicing law creates unique psychological and professional challenges. The adversarial nature of legal work, combined with high stakes and client pressure, can contribute to:
Chronic anxiety from constant pressure to be right and avoid mistakes
Over-commitment and over-engagement that crowds out other life domains
Identity fusion where personal worth becomes tied to professional performance
Perfectionism that creates unrealistic standards and chronic dissatisfaction
Isolation from colleagues due to competitive environments
How We Help Legal Professionals
Matt's therapy services address the mental health impact of legal practice, including:
Managing anxiety related to court appearances, client demands, and case outcomes
Processing depression that can develop from adversarial work environments
Addressing burnout from chronically demanding caseloads
Developing healthier relationships with perfectionism and achievement
Edward's coaching services focus on professional development and career strategy, including:
Transitioning between practice areas, firms, or to in-house roles
Building sustainable practices that prevent burnout
Developing leadership skills for partner track or general counsel roles
Strategic career planning for long-term professional success
Which Service Do I Need?
Choose Mental Health Counseling If:
You're experiencing persistent anxiety, depression, or burnout symptoms
Professional stress is significantly impacting your daily functioning
You need clinical support for managing difficult emotions
Personal relationships are suffering due to work-related stress
You're looking to address underlying psychological patterns
Call (715) 793-7188 or fill out our contact form for therapy services (Wisconsin residents only).
Choose Executive Coaching If:
Your primary goals are career advancement and professional development
You're navigating career transitions or major professional decisions
You want to improve specific professional skills or performance
You're focused on strategic career planning and goal achievement
You're functioning well but want to optimize your professional effectiveness
Call (715) 793-7188 or fill out our contact form for coaching services (available nationwide).
Consider Both Services If:
You're experiencing both mental health challenges and career development needs
You want comprehensive support addressing both personal well-being and professional growth
You're going through major life/career transitions that affect multiple areas
Why Choose Sidebar Counseling for Professional Support
Specialized Professional Experience: Both Matt and Edward have extensive experience in demanding professional environments, particularly legal practice. We understand the unique pressures and challenges from personal experience, not just theory.
Evidence-Based Approaches: Our services integrate peer-reviewed research, evidence-based therapeutic techniques, and coaching methodologies tailored specifically for professional environments.
Complete Confidentiality: Our practice operates on a self-pay basis, allowing for greater complete privacy without insurance records.
Flexible Scheduling and Geographic Reach: With Matt available during traditional business hours for Wisconsin residents and Edward available virtually nationwide with evening and weekend options, we can accommodate demanding professional schedules regardless of location.
Comprehensive Support: Whether you need mental health support, professional development, or both, we can provide coordinated care that addresses your complete picture.
What You Can Expect from Our Services
Immediate Benefits (First Few Sessions):
Reduced daily stress and better emotional regulation
Clearer perspective on professional challenges and opportunities
Practical strategies for managing immediate work-related pressures
Improved confidence in handling professional situations
Longer-Term Changes (3-6 Months):
Sustainable work-life integration that protects your well-being
Enhanced professional effectiveness and leadership capabilities
Greater career clarity and strategic direction
Resilience skills for handling future professional challenges
Stronger sense of purpose and meaning in your work
Ready to thrive professionally while maintaining your well-being? Call (715) 793-7188 or schedule your consultation online to explore how we can support both your mental health and professional development.
Common Questions About Professional Support Services
"How do I know if I need therapy or coaching?"
If you're experiencing persistent anxiety, depression, or burnout symptoms that affect your daily functioning, therapy is likely most appropriate. If your primary goals are career advancement, skill development, or strategic planning, coaching may be the better fit. We can help you determine which approach best matches your needs during an initial consultation.
"Can you help clients outside of Wisconsin?"
Edward's executive coaching services are available nationwide via virtual sessions, making it accessible to professionals regardless of location. Matt's therapy services are limited to Wisconsin residents due to licensing requirements, but are available both in-person in Wausau and virtually throughout the state.
"Can you help if my profession is different from law?"
Yes. While we have particular expertise with legal professionals, the psychological patterns and professional challenges we address are common across demanding careers. Whether you're in healthcare, finance, consulting, technology, or executive leadership, we understand the unique pressures of high-achieving professional environments.
"How long do therapy and coaching typically take?"
Most people notice improvement within the first few sessions. More significant changes typically develop over 3-6 months, though this varies based on your specific goals and situation. We work at your pace and adjust our approach based on your progress and changing needs.
"Can I work with both Matt and Edward simultaneously?"
Yes, with appropriate coordination and your consent. Some clients benefit from addressing both mental health challenges and professional development goals simultaneously. We can work together to provide comprehensive support that addresses your complete picture. Note that Matt's therapy services are limited to Wisconsin residents, while Edward's coaching is available nationwide.
Taking the First Step
Professional challenges don't have to be faced alone. Whether you're struggling with the mental health impact of demanding work or looking to advance your career strategically, we're here to help.
For mental health counseling with Matt (Wisconsin residents): Call (715) 793-7188 or fill out our contact form
For executive coaching with Edward (available nationwide): Call (715) 793-7188 or fill out our contact form and specify your interest in coaching services
Not sure which service is right for you? Contact us and we'll help you determine the best approach for your specific situation and goals.
If you're experiencing professional stress alongside other challenges, you might also find it helpful to learn about our Anxiety Therapy, Depression Therapy, and Burnout Therapy services. For broader support addressing multiple aspects of mental health, we also offer Support for Individual Wellness.
Recent Legal and Other Professionals Blog Posts
Support for Professionals
in Wausau
300 N 3rd Street
Suite 302
Wausau, WI 54401
Virtual services are also available across Wisconsin.