DR. DAVID PHELPS
PhD | Licensed Psychologist | 10+ Years in Private Practice | In-Person in Milwaukee, WI & Telehealth in Wisconsin and Most U.S. States
Anxiety. Depression. Relationship struggles. Grief. Major life transitions.
When life feels overwhelming, disconnected, or stuck, therapy can provide a place to better understand what is happening and find a path forward.
I’m Dr. David Phelps, a licensed psychologist providing psychotherapy for adults and couples navigating anxiety, depression, relationship and communication difficulties, grief and loss, career dissatisfaction, life transitions, and questions of identity, meaning, and what comes next. Whether you’re struggling on your own or within your relationship, therapy can help you gain greater clarity, deepen self-understanding, and create meaningful change.
Who I Work Best With
My clients are often thoughtful, self-aware individuals and couples who find that insight alone isn’t enough. They may be functioning well on the outside — managing careers, relationships, families, and responsibilities — while privately feeling stuck, depleted, disconnected, anxious, or dissatisfied.
Many seek therapy during significant transitions: a relationship under strain, a separation or divorce, a loss, a career that no longer feels meaningful, or a growing sense that something needs to change even if they can’t quite name what. Others come because recurring patterns in relationships, anxiety, depression, or self-doubt continue to interfere with their ability to feel fulfilled.
Some clients have been in therapy before but felt that previous work focused primarily on symptom management without fully addressing the deeper emotional and relational issues underneath. I tend to do my best work with people who are curious about themselves, willing to sit with complexity, and interested in understanding not only what they feel, but why.
Clients often come to me seeking relief from anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties. Others are looking for a deeper transformation in how they relate to themselves and others. Therapy can support both.
Ready to get started? I invite you to reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Common Reasons Clients Seek Therapy
- Anxiety, chronic worry, panic attacks, and stress
- Depression, emptiness, and loss of motivation
- Relationship and communication difficulties
- Couples therapy and marriage counseling
- Grief, loss, and bereavement
- Trauma, PTSD, and difficult life experiences
- Life transitions and identity questions
- Career dissatisfaction and burnout
- Self-esteem and recurring interpersonal patterns
- Personal growth, meaning, and self-discovery
Whether your concerns fit neatly into one of these categories or are harder to put into words, therapy provides an opportunity to better understand what is happening and move toward meaningful change.
We typically begin by focusing on your most immediate concerns and goals. As trust develops, we often explore deeper patterns that may be contributing to your difficulties and limiting your ability to move forward.
My Style
My approach centers on building a strong, collaborative therapeutic relationship. My style is warm, curious, engaged, and tailored to your specific needs and goals.
I draw from several therapeutic approaches, often working from a relational psychodynamic perspective. This means that I pay close attention to emotion, past and present relationships, recurring patterns, and the dynamic that develops between us in therapy. I am also influenced by Jungian psychology and its emphasis on integrating conscious and unconscious aspects of experience in pursuit of greater wholeness, meaning, and authenticity.
I listen closely—not only to what you say, but also for deeper themes, patterns, and meanings that may not yet be fully understood. Together, we can discover aspects of your experience that may have remained outside of awareness, fostering greater self-understanding and lasting change.
If any of this resonates, I encourage you to reach out, even if you’re not entirely sure therapy is right for you. I offer a free 15-minute consultation and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Education & Training
- Licensed Psychologist, State of Wisconsin, #3179-57
- Two-Year Certificate in Relational Psychodynamic Therapy, Contemporary Psychodynamic Institute, Completed 2026
- Ph.D., Marquette University, Counseling Psychology
- M.A., Marquette University, Counseling Psychology
- M.S., Marquette University, Human Resources
- B.A., University of Minnesota, Psychology & Women’s Studies
Professional Affiliations
- American Psychological Association, Member
- Society for Human Resource Management, Member
Fees & Logistics
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. I provide monthly superbills that clients can submit to their insurance companies for potential reimbursement. Many PPO plans reimburse a significant portion of out-of-network psychotherapy costs.
I offer both in-person therapy in Milwaukee and telehealth appointments for clients located throughout Wisconsin and most U.S. states. Many clients find that telehealth provides the flexibility needed to maintain consistency in their care.
Supervision & Consultation for Clinicians
I also provide psychodynamically informed supervision and consultation for clinicians seeking supervised hours, professional development, or consultation on treatments that feel stalled or challenging. Please contact me to discuss services, availability, and fees.